Going for a job interview can be stressful and the best way to cope with the stress and make sure you perform well is to be prepared. We have compiled a list of things you should keep in mind as part of your interview preparation to land that dream job in Hawaii. 

Practice before interviewing
Getting a job is not only giving right answers, it is the way in which those answers are delivering. Are answered delivered with an attitude which comes across as over-confident / borderlining arrogance; does answers come across as someone insecure and lack of confident; or, does the answers come across as a well-balanced, calm, confident individual who shows enthusiasm about the job, yet does not seem overly eager and desperate.

People likes to hear themselves talk 
Do never interrupt interviewers. When an interviewer explains about the company pay close attention and listen carefully. If your eyes are wandering and you are eager to jump in and say something, chances are high interviewer will notice and it comes across desperate or as someone without good manners.  

First and foremost always be honest
Do not be afraid to admit to mistakes and do not be afraid to admit if you do not know the answer to a question asked. When possible try to add what you have learned from mistakes. Presenting yourself like Mr. Perfect may raise doubt in the interviewers eyes. Trying to create short-cuts to success by planting “innocent” little lies is a bad idea. Lies will catch up with you in life sooner or later; it isn’t worth it and it isn’t fair to employers.

Ask questions
Ask the interviewer intelligent questions and avoid obvious questions easily found on the company's website. Intelligent questions may center around growth potential within the organization, retention rate of staff, expected growth plans etc. 

Takes notes
If the interviewer mentions something about the company which isn't on the company's website or in the job description, don't hesitate to take your notebook out and write it down. It shows you are engaged and paying attention. 

Common reasons job seekers are unsuccessful getting a job offer
Untidy appearance, inability to answer questions clearly and concisely, seeming lack of enthusiasm and rather dull or negative attitude, late for interview, lack of eye contact, chewing gum, mobile phone ringing. 

Speak clearly and do not rush
It is natural to get carried away (especially if asked a question you feel can really nail) and start speaking very fast. Slow down, stay calm and collected. Irrespective of how great your answer may be, fast talking answer is not convincing. Do not hesitate to take a breather in between questions to collect your thoughts either. Rushed or fast answered can also come across as desperate. 

Be Specific
Stay away from clichés if you can't back them up with specific examples. "Hard-working", "team-player", "entrepreneurial", "detail-oriented" are all rather meaningless unless you put them in specific and concrete context. 

It is about how it is said
A big part of your success at an interview comes down to how your answers are perceived, which isn't all what is said but how it is said. You can say the same answer word by word, but the tone in which it is said is very important. A balanced, calm and confident tone will get you further than a tense, insecure, defensive or rushed tone. 

Mock interviews
Have practice interviews with a couple of friends and tape it if possible. Replay the tape and critically evaluate yourself. When your friend asked “why did you get laid off from previous firm?” did you sound defensive and with insecurity answered “my boss was not very reasonable and when the company had to downsize he chose to let me go”. Or, did you with a calm and friendly tone put a positive light on your situation “the company was forced to downsize due to falling revenue and since I was most recent hire within the team, I was the obvious choice for them. My performance was aligned with expectations and I have a reference from the firm.” You may at first not feel at ease with these mock interviews, but the more you practice the better you will perform during an interview. 

Hawaii Job Engine