Job interview today :o(

Good LUCK!

It is hard to comment without knowing your line of work, but try to get into a process oriented discussion.

Talk shop.

Nick Corcodilios, a former headhunter who runs a web site about job hunting, sums it up quite well:

"Is the job interview The Moment of Truth? Nah. The Land of Bunk is more like it. Never have more stupid questions been answered with the same repetitive drivel as in the job interview. You can sit down and easily list ten questions everyone is asked in an interview."

Be sure to engage them as much as possible about the work that is to be done. Offer value.

Most importantly, if it is a good fit, ASK FOR THE JOB!!

Good Luck Angie! What kind of job are you interviewing for?

I work in HR, and I have a ton of useful tips I can e-mail to you. Message me if you would like more info!

Advice:

1.) Know the job you are applying for. If you are aware of the tasks that are expected of you, you will be better prepared to answer questions. Also some knowledge of the company itself is always helpful.
2.) If you are asked if you know how to do something that you don't know how to do, be honest but also let them know that you are eager to learn and adept at learning new tasks.
3.) Bring your own pen...always make sure you have a pen
4.) Firm handshakes are best
5.) Be polite, sincere, and interested in joining their "team" or whatever the place is.

I've done hundreds of interviews. Here's some simple, basic tips:
listen carefully to the interviewer and interact with them (it's a dance);
be honest and always positive;
give specific accomplishments and quantified impacts whenever you can instead of listing vague attributes;
towards the end of the interview summarize exactly how your experience and achievements meet the job requirements;
ask intelligent prepared questions based on research;
send a thank you note (email is OK) within one day of the interview reinforcing how you are qualified for the job and that you want it; and
follow up in a friendly way if you don't hear from them after their decision timeframe to again demonstrate your interest.

Being nervous is normal and can give you productive energy so don't fight it. Smile easily, lean forward, and try to relax as much as you can. You'll be fine.

I've hired many people in my day, the key is to be confident but relaxed. Also, the more you know about my company the more it tells me you are willing to put in the work to get the job. Make sure you ask questions of the interviewer, they want to know that you are serious about the job and that you think the job is right for you, as much as you are right for the job.

I also read this article before every single job interview I go on:

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/17/25-questions-to-think-about-before-your-next-job-interview/

Finally, after the interview send a prompt thank you note, make sure to talk about something specifically that was discussed and seemed important to the interviewer.

Private message me if you have any more questions or want more tips.

Practice. Do as many interviews as you can. You get more comfortable with each one. You also interview best when you don't need the job.

I'm an accountant too! One final exam away from my Masters! Yay me! I suck at interviewing. Big time! Like you I get nervous and tend to ramble or I say something really stupid trying to make a joke so I'll relax- doesn't work btw. My last interview (with the DOE) was a group interview (which I was not expecting and was not told it would be a group interview until about 5 minutes before when everyone started showing up!) so my nervousness increased by about a million. Things I've learned:

Take your time answering. Not so much time that they think you're looking for what they want to hear but enough time that you don't blurt out something silly or off topic.

Ask them to clarify anything you aren't sure about or don't completely understand before answering.

Look online for different types of interviews and be prepared (as much as possible) for different types of questions. Strengths/weakness of course, ways you deal with stress or problem clients on the job, how you handle confidential information, why you want the job, why you should get the job over someone else, etc.

Have examples of ways that you added value to your previous jobs or if you can't think of anything like that then have examples of things you did well, things people complimented you on or things you did that brought about a positive change- things the employers, fellow employees and customers liked/appreciated.

Take notes. Ask questions. Ask questions about the things you took notes about.

Do a little research about the firm. You don't have to go in depth but make sure you know what they do, what they're about, what their goals are. Make them aware that you're prepared to help them meet those goals and that you have the skills to do it, even if you lack the experience right now.

Look like you're interested, don't just sit there like a robot. Try to be personable without going over the line.

Even if you're nervous, try to look relaxed and confident, realize you have strengths and that if they weren't interested in what they've seen so far they wouldn't be taking the time to interview you.

Send a thank you note/email. I know some people say it doesn't matter but I think it helps set you apart from the other people they interview who might not have sent a note. Besides it doesn't hurt to remind them of you or exactly what you talked about. Keep it short though, it's a note, not a letter (as you can tell from my response and editing, I have a hard time with this part lol)

And I'm sure it doesn't need to be said, they drill it into us at the school I attend, but dress and act appropriately. Make sure your clothes fit properly and you won't be tugging or pulling them, make sure you're covered- you don't have to look like a nun but you don't want to look like you're hitting the clubs right after the interview. Besides, clothes that fit properly and you feel comfortable in will give you one less thing to worry about and help you feel more confident, you'll "look" the part. Keep nervous gestures to a minimum. Be polite, use your manners. I've been on both sides of the interviewing table and some of the things people say/do are crazy. I sometimes wonder if they act a certain way because they don't want the job but in that case just decline the interview.

Maybe if you approach it in a way that makes you feel like this is not a job you "have" to have you'll feel a little more relaxed. Or even try to apply for some other jobs to get more interviews so you'll have practice and won't feel so nervous.

Good luck!

In addition to the above:

Take in notes, I think this shows you're prepared and interested in the job. You can even take in notes about what you're going to say if they ask a specific question but try not to read directly from the paper.

If you are stuck for an answer, don't try to reply straight away, take a breath, it's fine to say 'hmm, let me think about that for a moment' - they'd rather you took time to answer properly than start talking without thinking.

When waiting to go in, focus on having your feet planted on the floor, take deep breaths and focus on being connected to the ground - this helps you from getting caught up in nerves and all the worries in your head - keep grounded.

After the interview, if you have the interviewers email address, drop them a note - just say thanks for meeting me today, I'm very interested in the role and feel I can bring a lot to it and hope to hera from you soon - or words to that effect. Again it shows enthusiasm and genuine interest.

Be great!!


(sorry see some of this has been added in other replies while I was writing!)