Advertisement

Top 5 books for job seekers to read before an interview

Being interviewed is perhaps one of the most stressful moments in every career transition. To cope with the nerve-wrecking experience, here are some books to pre-empt and prepare you. They not only cover possible interview questions, but also other means of preparation, not limited to the choice of attire, communication style, appropriate gestures to signal confidence, and more. Salary negotiation tactics as well as follow up questions are also covered.

 

1. 60 Seconds and you’re hired! by Robin Ryan

This book provides a detailed guide on almost everything that you can do before, during, and after an interview in simple language. Readers can look forward to observation-based techniques like the ‘5-Point Agenda’ and ‘How to Sell in 60 Seconds’, as well as means of answering popular interview questions. Common pitfalls and negotiation skills are also covered.

If you are having troubles securing your first ever interview, try reading Steve Dalton’s The 2-Hour Job Search: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster. It will guide you the sea of internet job postings by teaching you how to prioritize target employers, reach out to them, and even get referrals.

 

2. Basic Interviewing Skills by Raymond L. Gorden

As an interviewee, you may be preoccupied and overly focused on how to impress the interviewer and get that dream job. This may skew your perspective. In this book, Gorden reverses the situation and brings you into the mind of an interviewer. A step-by-step guide on qualitative factors to watch out for is discussed. You will know how interviewers form questions, observe, and evaluate your response through information coding and decoding. It even contains a useful model to build your interview skills so that you can process information better.

Speaking of codes, if you are a software developer, try reading Cracking the Coding Interview: 150 Programming Interview Questions and Solutions by Gayle Laakmann McDowell. It is a targeted book that includes both technical and behavioural questions and approaches to possible interview questions that you may encounter when applying to be a software developer.

 

If your job search is getting messy, get self-management tips on staying focused with David Allen’s Getting Things Done. This is a good read even if you are not preparing for an interview.

 

3.How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships by Leil Lowndes

If you are introverted or shy in interviews, and would like to express yourself better, give this book a shot. It also teaches you how to start a conversation with anyone, which is a good communication skill to have that can up your networking game and build confidence. His other book, How to Instantly Connect with Anyone: 96 All-New Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships is another interesting read that can help you in your day to day life. This book is great for readers with short attention spans as its contents are concise and to-the-point.

If you are just getting started with your job search and need tips on networking, interviewing, negotiating, and finding a desirable career, Richard N. Bolles’ What Color is Your Parachute? will be a useful read.

 

4. Interviewing by Jack Gray

With globalization, phone interviews are increasing becoming a part of the employee selection process. This book talks about how you can be perceived during an interview, common questions and answers of a telephonic interview, questions you can ask before responding to an offer, as well as 37 ways of showing confidence.

If the personal branding aspects in the book appeal to you, find out more by reading Steal the Show by Michael Port. The book talks about means to persuade the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the job.

 

5. Interview Like a Boss by Hans Van Nas

This book is an easy read that goes into the details of interview preparations. Resume creation, how to appear for interviews, how and when to negotiate salary terms, common mistakes with real world examples and more are covered. You also get a glimpse into the interview panel’s thoughts that can better prepare you to showcase what they are looking for.

In line with that, Danny Rubin’s Wait, How Do I Write This Email? as well as William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White’s The Elements of Style are both great reads if you are in the midst of doing up a good cover letter, resume, or soliciting for referrals.

 

6. (BONUS!): The Art of The Interview: The Perfect Answers to Every Interview Question by James Storey

Regardless which career stage you are at, or whether you are going for a personal or group interview, this book will be helpful. Insider tips on how HR perceives you will be discussed. It even breaks down the process of interviewing into motivational interviewing and job interviewing. Tips are sprinkled throughout the book to keep you engaged. The Art of The Interview is filled with stories to make interview strategies an interesting read. Look forward to learning how to analyze yourself to better frame answers and sell yourself to a potential employer, as well as addressing the butterflies in your stomach. The book also reminds you to focus on other aspects of preparation that are often disregarded or forgotten by interviewees. This includes updating your resume, ironing your interview clothes, as well as polishing your shoes.

Before going into a negotiation, read Roger Fisher, William L. Ury and Bruce Patton’s Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. This classic book consolidates the findings of the Harvard Negotiation Project and provides practical negotiation steps that you can take.

For interview do’s and don’ts as well as techniques to overcome nervousness and stand out in an interview, read Success In Interview by Anand Ganguly.

The many book recommendations above will definitely be helpful in preparing you for the next interview. Prior to it, remember to research the industry, company, and job scope well. Anticipate questions and come up with an outstanding set of answers. Most importantly, remember to breathe, smile, and shine!

(By Vanessa Ng)

Related Articles
- Top 5 books all managers should read
- Top 5 books on recruitment strategies for HR professionals
- Top 5 books on employee rewards for HR professionals