Interviewing for jobs can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re not sure what to expect. Interviews are time for you to shine and show off your best self, but it’s also an opportunity for the hiring manager to get to know you and determine whether or not you’re right for the position. Here are five tips on how to nail your next job interview so that you’ll be invited back in.
1) Research
You’re not just walking into a room with an interviewer, you’re walking into a room full of resources. Make sure you do your homework before an interview. Know who you’ll be talking to, what their company does and about any projects that are currently in progress or going on within the company. If possible talk to people who already work there and learn as much as you can from them too! Most importantly, know exactly why you want to work for that company. It sounds simple but knowing why will help guide your answers during interviews. Be prepared: Show up early for interviews and make sure you know where it is beforehand. Most importantly, dress professionally and try to stand out from other candidates (in a good way). Be ready for tough questions: Practice answering common job interview questions so you don’t get thrown off when they ask something unexpected like What’s your biggest weakness? or Why should we hire you? Prepare answers that show how well-rounded of a candidate you are while still keeping true to yourself. Remember: Don’t bring up salary unless they ask first.
2) Prepare
Before going into an interview, it’s important to prepare beforehand. This can include things like doing research on a company or industry that might be useful knowledge in an interview. It can also mean practicing for behavioral questions and doing mock interviews with friends and family. Preparing beforehand will help you have an edge over your competition in any interview. Before going into an interview, it’s important to prepare beforehand. This can include things like doing research on a company or industry that might be useful knowledge in an interview. It can also mean practicing for behavioral questions and doing mock interviews with friends and family. Preparing beforehand will help you have an edge over your competition in any interview. Practice: The best way to do well in an interview is to practice ahead of time so that when it comes time for a real job interview, you are comfortable answering these types of questions. Rehearse responses using examples from past experiences (both good and bad) so that they come easily during a real job interview when they matter most! The best way to do well in an interview is to practice ahead of time so that when it comes time for a real job interview, you are comfortable answering these types of questions.
3) Practice
Before interviewing for a job, familiarize yourself with questions you might be asked. Here are some examples: What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Why do you want to work here? What would you do if faced with a conflict at work? How would you deal with it? If a company has specific questions they ask in every interview, practice those as well. Treat each interview like an acting performance—you can’t fake passion, so don’t even try! Even if you aren’t excited about working for that particular company, put on a good show and make sure to project confidence. You never know who might see your interview and offer you a job somewhere else.
4) Follow up
Be proactive about following up after a job interview. You may have impressed them with your knowledge, skills and personality during your last interview, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get passed over for another candidate if you don’t follow up. Send a thank-you note within 24 hours of your interview expressing how excited you are to be considered for their open position and reiterate why you feel like an ideal fit. This is your chance to stand out among other candidates who didn’t take advantage of post-interview follow ups. It can also help you stand out from other candidates when it comes time for hiring managers to make their final decision. Don’t forget: Follow up with everyone who interviewed you, not just your first point of contact or recruiter.
5) Acknowledge your strengths
It’s crucial to acknowledge your strengths in an interview—but there’s more than one way to do it. Tailor your response depending on what role you’re applying for, but always make sure you talk about your accomplishments and not just your duties. For example, if you were a retail manager, describe how you raised sales by 15% during your last quarter—not just how much time you spent with employees. And don’t be afraid to quantify: If you increased sales by 15%, say so. Quantifying is persuasive because it provides proof of your value as an employee, whereas describing simply states that something happened. Think of quantifying as proving a point with facts rather than opinions or assumptions. You want facts when making an argument in any business situation.