The job market is tough right now, but it’s getting better. Even still, the competition is fierce. When you finally make it to the job interview, you want to be the one candidate they select. In order to do this, you’ll have to be memorable, professional, and interview well. Below are a few tips on how to properly prepare for a job interview, so that you come off as a polished professional that employers are clamoring to hire..

1. When you finally make it to the job interview, you
want to be the one candidate they select.
In order to do this, you’ll have to be
memorable, professional, and interview well.
Here are a few tips on how to properly prepare for a
job interview, so that you come off as a polished
professional that employers are clamoring to hire.

2. Prepare yourself a list of typical and atypical questions
that you think might be asked during the interview.
Practice your answers so that you avoid getting caught
in the cold when the actual interview arrives.
Here are some to get you started:

3. •What qualifies you for this job?
•Describe a time you had a major problem and how you resolved
it.
•How do you handle stress?
•How many quarters would it take to make a stack as tall as the
Empire State Building? (If you’re asked this question, the
interviewer doesn’t care about the correct answer. He or she is
testing your reasoning skills under pressure.)

4. Your timing will help the interview flow smoothly.
Ultimately, you don’t want to leave a lot of “dead air” while
you contemplate answers, but you also don’t want to make
snap responses if the questions are asking for a calculated
response.
Strike a balance somewhere in between.

5. When you give your answers, make sure that you’re not
saying the following a lot (or at all, depending):
•“Um…” - This makes it look as if you don’t know what to
say next. Use a thoughtful space of silence instead.
•“So…” - Don’t end sentences with this word. It makes you
look condescending, and that you don’t know when to stop
talking.
•“Like” - “So I was like…” and “That was like…” —This word
needs to be removed from your vocabulary.
•“Yeah” - Use “yes.”

6. Avoid slang as if it were the plague.
During your mock interview, record yourself if at
all possible, or have your interviewer note how
many times you use the forbidden words and
slang.
Then keep practicing till you’ve eliminated those
speech patterns.

7. Fidgeting is distracting and looks unprofessional.
During your practice interview, decide what to do
with your hands, and have your interviewer note if
any of your mannerisms are distracting.
Try to keep your hands in your lap. Or, better
yet, bring extra copies of your resume with you to
the interview so you have something to hold in
front of you.

8. Clothing during an interview is important.
Wear something business formal, even if they’re a
casual office. You want to dress to impress, and it
is always better to overdress than to under-dress.
Make sure your hair is neat, use deodorant, and
skip perfume or cologne. You want to be
remembered, not your scent.

9. Preparing for a job interview
requires practice.
Select a friend or trusted person to run you through a
mock interview so that you’re ready for anything once you
go into the real one.
Above all, practice helps you relax, and a relaxed
demeanor as opposed to a nervous one helps you come
across as the ideal, confident candidate.

10. Read about more interview tips, along with advice on
resumes and coverletters visit JobGoRound.com
You also find resume writing service reviews and ratings to
help you improve your resume to land more interviews.