Job interview tips can help you land your perfect job. The next time you’re headed to a job interview, remember the advice your mother gave you about dating: just be yourself. That’s the conclusion based from two studies recently reported in the Wall Street Journal. But is it really the best approach?

The studies cited in the article found that frankness and honesty don’t hurt a candidate’s chances at a job and are likely to increase future job satisfaction because the individual is more likely to be hired for a suitable position.

The research was based on two surveys—a study of 146 M.B.A. students and another study of 208 job seekers. They were asked to respond to statements such as, “It’s important for an employer to see me as I see myself, even if it means bringing people to recognize my limitations.” Read more

Typically, we enter a job interview prepped to focus on our strengths and intent on selling them well. But an effective hiring manager will know how to ask questions that get a more complete picture. One common technique is called behavioral based interviewing – candidates are asked to give examples of how they acted in the past, to serve as an indicator of how they’ll perform in the future.  At Experience Factor, candidates go through an extensive interview process that includes these types of behavioral interviews, along with skills assessments and evaluation of personality traits and professional work ethics.

Be honest, be prepared, be positive

It’s important to know yourself and be yourself in an interview, but that doesn’t mean, don’t prepare.  Plan for how you’ll respond to common interview questions like: “tell me about yourself” or “what is one of your weaknesses?” These are open ended questions that demand concise responses and concrete examples. Think about them ahead of time and practice your answers.  Even if you don’t get these exact questions, you can adapt your response. Remember, there’s a lot at stake at interviews, and the stress can be inhibiting. It doesn’t hurt to rehearse your answers.

When you are talking about a weakness or a challenge in a past job, choose examples that show what you learned or how you problem solved.  Again, preparing ahead is the best way to make sure a weakness or previous mistake isn’t a liability.  For example, you might describe how a challenging relationship with someone in another department taught you how to communicate better.

Avoid these common interview mistakes

While you want to be honest and natural, beware of behaviors that are known to be turnoffs.  Sounding negative about past jobs could cost you your next opportunity. In a recent survey by CareerBuilder.com, 75% of hiring managers found this as a “top detrimental mistake.” Appearing disinterested was cited as another most common interview mistake. While you always want to be honest, focus on the positive is always a good rule.  Finally, make sure you get your best self across, honestly.