Guide to Getting a Job and Keeping It

5. Fifth, practice your best communication and interpersonal skills during the interview
Be polite and friendly to everyone, shake hands when you are introduced and smile, even if you are nervous. Always accept the offer of a drink, even if it’s only a glass of water, as you never know when you might want to take a sip while thinking about a question or want something in your hand to help calm your nerves.
Answer their questions honestly and with examples wherever you can. Don’t worry about being nervous as they will be expecting it, but do try to answer every question and ask if you can come back to one if you need a bit more time to think. Remember, they want to fill the position as much you want a job, so interview panels want to bring out the best in a candidate. If you need clarification, then ask and if you feel you might have gone off-topic during your answer, just admit it and ask them to repeat the question.

After the interview

After the interview, you can show your organizational skills by sending a brief follow-up, thanking them for their time.
If the employer asks you to come in for a second interview or to meet the team, treat it the same as a first interview and prepare accordingly. You might not be meeting the same people, so you need to impress the panel just as much as you did the first time, and you want to build on the good impression you have already given by demonstrating the same professionalism and enthusiasm that encouraged them to bring you back in.
If you get a job offer, clarify the start date, salary and any other details such as working hours and benefits packages before confirming anything in writing.
Many positions will have a probationary period during which your work will be under close scrutiny to determine whether you are a good fit for the role and the company. Be diligent about your duties: write things down if you are worried about forgetting them, ask questions and make a note of the answers and be proactive about learning more. If you have finished a task and your manager isn’t around, ask another team member if you can help with anything. You want to showcase your best qualities and position yourself as an asset to the business, so go the extra mile and show them that you are reliable.
Whatever your interests and however you want your career to progress, it’s a good idea to take any chances to learn and develop new skills that come your way and be proactive about seeking out the experiences you need to take you to the next level. From shadowing colleagues to volunteering your time, you can make your own opportunities if you focus on your goals.