What you should do to secure that dream job

Are you the type that becomes nervous when it comes to doing interviews? Have you been failing to land that dream job because of some small mishap during an interview? Or are you one of those interviwees that have no clue on what to expect, or conduct oneself during an interview? Whatever your situation, worry no more and clinch your next job interview, using the following guidelines:Prepare well to make a good impressionNever underestimate the importance of preparing for the job interview, especially if it is your first ever interview. Good preparation helps you know more about the company, its values and the way you should present yourself to make a favourable first impression. Bahati Kamuzinzi, a human resource manager at the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Board, explains that the way one is dressed or enters the interview room can determine their fate, arguing that interviewees must ensure things like dress code or hairstyle and makeup do not irritate recruiters.He advises job-seekers to put on conservative and formal wear rather than fashionable clothes.What to do during the interviewKamuzinzi says when you are ushered into the interview room and are seated, it is important to keep an eye contact with the panel, adding that one should have a good posture and a smile to win over the recruiters. “Ask a friend to assess the way you respond to self-set questions and how you react before the interview,” he counsels. Remember, making a strong first impression is important to winning that dream job. Don’t neglect your exit either as some panel members could have an issue with the way you leave the room, he adds. “You might be relieved that the interview is all over, but remember professional courtesies and end positively, and thanking the panel for their time,” Kamuzinzi said. Edward Kaggwa, the human resource manager at Music Diva Awards Rwanda, advises interviewees to try and find some areas of common interest between them and the recruiters. He argues that this plays an important part in hiring decisions as they would see you as ‘one’ of them. “Find something in common with your interviewer as a conversation starter. If you have similar interests, areas of knowledge or career paths, use this to create and build rapport,” he says.Why do you think you are a good hire?When you are perceived to have great communication skills, the interviewers may also take you to be good at other things, such as analytical skills or business acumen. “Therefore, make sure you prepare career achievements in advance to show the panel you are the right person for the job. Show them how you have excelled in similar roles before, demonstrating how you overcame challenges,” Kamuzinzi advises. Pre-empt any red flag areas that might cause doubts in the interviewer’s mind “These may be gaps in your CV or the reason you left your previous job. So, prepare convincing and genuine answers to these issues to avoid causing suspicion among the panel members,” Kaggwa counsels. According to Eugene Gahima, a human resource at the National Persons with Disabilities Organisation, interviewers see what they want to see as per their expectations. “Think about what an interviewer might wrongly assume about you. Therefore, one has to always be prepared to prove all their strengths and attributes despite their academic qualifications,” he points out.Guide the interviewYou may need to subtly move the conversation on to areas where you can highlight your strengths, skills and suitability for the role. “Show the recruiters how you can handle hard situations or solve problems to demonstrate your ability and suitability for the job,” Gahima advises.