10 Important Job Interview Reminders for the Millennial Job Seekers

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When one of the HR Assistants doing the recruitment is absent, I am always assigned to replace her and do the interview process. During the recruitment process, I have a chance to meet new people and practice my profiling skills and good judgment. In my years of interviewing different applicants, I have learned the art of profiling people using different means and strategies.

There are times that I can tell a person if he or she is qualified enough to pass my employment standards with just one look, or is he or she really interested in applying for the job, lying or telling the truth, or perhaps just there to try his or her luck. But of course, my profiling skills are not yet perfected and will always not be because sometimes my judgement skills fail me.

In line with this, I have observed some applicants who fail their job interview with me (as their Recruitment Officer) because they did not do their assignments properly. Most of the times new graduates, or those called "millennial job seekers" did not do their homework before coming to a job interview. But there are also some old timer job seekers who do not do their homework as well. Below are some important job interview reminders that job seekers should remember especially those newly graduated millennials:

10 Essential Reminders Before Going to Your Job Interviews

1. Research for the company that you are applying for.
You may want to gather some information on the company that you are applying for so that when you are asked about what you know regarding the company, you will not be left out with a blank answer. It is a minus points for you if you did not answer such question and may affect your application.

2. Dress up, but don't overkill it!
Choose the right and proper attire for your job interview that will make you look smart but not too slutty (for women) or lousy (for men). Gowns, ball dresses, and tuxedos are a no-no during job interviews. Just show up as smart looking as you are and you are ready to nail it.

3. Always have an eye contact.
We have heard of the saying "the eyes are the windows to the soul" several thousand times before to also remind us that having eye contacts to a job interviewer is as important as telling the truth or lies. Some interviewers prefer eye contacts to examine the applicants carefully and thoroughly as well.

4. Never do hand gestures or other personal mannerisms.
What annoys most of the interviewers are hand gestures and other personal mannerisms but of course they would not tell you that these things annoy them bigtime. Hand gestures and other mannerisms such as biting nails, tapping fingers, and head turning gestures among others show nervousness and might distract you to forget about what is being asked of you or distract the interviewer to just cut the interview early on.

5. Always listen to the interviewer.
Listening is always an integral part of an interview whether it came from the interviewer or the applicant. Listening can lead to endless conversations that might give you points of interest to the interviewer and can get you the job that you are applying for. So, go ahead and listen carefully to every question that the interviewer might throw at you.

6. Observe your surroundings.
There's a thin line between observing and just looking around the office. Observing uses all of your senses while looking is using just one, which is your sense of sight. You may do your observations while you wait for your turn to be interviewed and not during the interview.

7. You may opt to answer what is asked. Telling stories isn't necessary.
When asked about something, say yourself or your previous company or work, you may want to answer it as abruptly as possible because you don't know what information you might be sharing unconsciously to the interviewer. Be careful with your answers and the safest way is to answer what is just being asked.

8. Keep it cool.  Don't be nervous.
During the interview, be sure to compose yourself and never get nervous because if you do, chances are, you might use the wrong words that might offend the interviewer. Being nervous also tends to blabber out words you didn't mean or tell stories you are not supposed to tell.

9. Be there ahead of time.
Remember when they say that "first impression lasts", this might also be true when it comes to coming on your interview schedule right ahead of time. Coming earlier than what is expected could mean you are very much interested in the job position, serious about getting into work earlier or on time, and pretty much sums up your attitude towards work.

10. Always be polite.
Finally, but definitely not the least, it is important to be polite no matter how rude your interviewer is. Showing respect to others is far more important than hiring an intelligent but impolite employee. Most companies hire aggressive employees who can help their organization work or make a progress, but also it is important to have values and respect to others. As that line from the "Kingsman" movie says, "manners maketh man" and so do you.


So there, my top 10 important job interview reminders for all newbie or millennial job seekers out there to help them give more confidence and to boost their chance in getting hired to a company that their desired to be connected with. If you have other reminders, please do tell them by writing you comment below. They are very much appreciated. Happy job seeking!