How to Do Well on a Job Interview
Harvey Harbuck
English 1010 Online
Mrs. D. Goodson
27 January 2013
How to Do Well on a Job Interview
When going to an interview, it is important to have the right state of mind and to focus on what is
important. The thing that is the most important when attending an interview is not how they answer
questions. It is the impression that they leave behind. That being said, answering questions "correctly" will
of course impact on that impression. The word "correctly" was put in quotes because there are no perfect
answers to questions, although there are wrong answers.
First impressions matter. Why? Because they create biases. If they make a bad impression
upfront, they will have to combat that bias. It's like running uphill. On the other hand, if they make a good
impression, they can ride on it. It's like running downhill. That being said, they need to make sure to dress
professionally, smile, give a firm handshake, and introduce themselves properly.
As the interview "formally" starts, they need to make sure to remember that interviewing is a
"communication process." This means that they have to be "clear" when you talk. Clarity entails that they
"speak clearly" and "answer clearly." Speaking clearly means that they have to speak loud enough and
pronounce their words well enough so that they are well understood. Think of news anchors and how they
speak.. Answering clearly means that they have to satisfy whatever was on my mind, the interviewer when
I ask them the question. In order to do that they have to practice their listening skills. Yes, listening is part
of communicating. If they are not sure what was asked, ask me to repeat myself or, even better, rephrase
the question in their own words and ask me to confirm that they grasped my question properly. The next
thing to keep in mind is that questions are asked for a purpose. They need to try to find the purpose
underlying
English 1010 Online
Mrs. D. Goodson
27 January 2013
How to Do Well on a Job Interview
When going to an interview, it is important to have the right state of mind and to focus on what is
important. The thing that is the most important when attending an interview is not how they answer
questions. It is the impression that they leave behind. That being said, answering questions "correctly" will
of course impact on that impression. The word "correctly" was put in quotes because there are no perfect
answers to questions, although there are wrong answers.
First impressions matter. Why? Because they create biases. If they make a bad impression
upfront, they will have to combat that bias. It's like running uphill. On the other hand, if they make a good
impression, they can ride on it. It's like running downhill. That being said, they need to make sure to dress
professionally, smile, give a firm handshake, and introduce themselves properly.
As the interview "formally" starts, they need to make sure to remember that interviewing is a
"communication process." This means that they have to be "clear" when you talk. Clarity entails that they
"speak clearly" and "answer clearly." Speaking clearly means that they have to speak loud enough and
pronounce their words well enough so that they are well understood. Think of news anchors and how they
speak.. Answering clearly means that they have to satisfy whatever was on my mind, the interviewer when
I ask them the question. In order to do that they have to practice their listening skills. Yes, listening is part
of communicating. If they are not sure what was asked, ask me to repeat myself or, even better, rephrase
the question in their own words and ask me to confirm that they grasped my question properly. The next
thing to keep in mind is that questions are asked for a purpose. They need to try to find the purpose
underlying