Best Interview Tips To Land Your Next Job
You have been job searching for a while, and you finally got called back for an interview. You might be wondering about the interview itself. What should you do to prepare? What do you need to know going in? Here are the best interview tips to help you land that perfect job.
Know the Company
You will want to know a little about the company you are applying to. You can do your research online, and even look at their social media accounts. This will give you the information you need to make it clear you are interested in the company, and even give you some extra talking points.
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Know Why You Want This Job
You will probably need to explain to the interviewer why you are interested in this particular job. Think about why you applied for the job in the first place and go from there. You will want to have a clear answer when this topic comes up. Make sure you know what skills and accomplishments you can bring to the job, and don’t be afraid to highlight your strengths.
Know Common Interview Questions
Besides knowing why you want this job, you should review some common interview questions before the interview.
Questions such as these below are probably going to come up during the interview:
- Can you tell me a little about yourself?
- How did you hear about the position?
- What are your greatest strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Why should we hire you?
- Tell me about a conflict you’ve faced at work, and how you dealt with it.
Go over and think about how you would answer these questions so you are prepared for when they come up during the interview.
Know The Type Of Interview You’ll Be On
There are MANY types: one-on-one interviews, group interviews, behavioral interviews, and phone interviews to name a few. Ask the person scheduling your interview what type it will be so you can prepare appropriately. If it is a group interview, ask for the names of the other interviewers so you can do your homework on each one you will come into contact with.
Practice at Home
You will want to practice your interview at home and use many of these common questions. Find a friend or a family member to be the interviewer. Practice everything from coming into the room and introducing yourself, to how you will leave the interview. Going over this many times will help you feel more confident during the actual interview.
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Be Assertive
Being assertive in a job interview means being confident and unafraid to ask questions. This can come easily to some personalities and harder for others. This is when practice and going over what to expect will help you. Tell yourself that you will need to show the assertive side of yourself going into the interview, even if that isn’t naturally how you are.
Prepare 3 Stories About Yourself
Instead of wasting time preparing 20 answers to 20 possible interview questions, review your resume and choose three work experiences or accomplishments that demonstrate concrete results. Among these stories, you should at least once touch on your strengths and weaknesses. These stories should be versatile enough to expand on in multiple interview question situations. Also, pick stories that are interesting! That way you don’t have to worry about memorizing, and most likely your interviewer will be more engaged.
Bring More Copies of Your Resume
Make sure to bring multiple copies of your resume, even if you have already given the company one. Your interview might not have a copy, and you will want extras in case you want to give them to more than one person. Make sure your resume is up to date with all your correct information.
Bring Your Reference List
They might ask you for personal and professional references during your interview. You want to have them already decided and ready to share. You don’t want to spend time looking up phone numbers on your phone or otherwise appear as if you hadn’t thought about this part of the job search process.
Maintain Good Posture
Keep good posture, and make sure your back is against the seatback. Sitting so far off the seat comes off as very rigid and like you are uncomfortable. (Have you ever caught a glimpse of someone sitting a mile away from the back of their chair just hanging off of the front of the seat? It’s awkward for everyone.)
Develop a Connection With The Interviewer
During the interview, you will want to build a strong rapport with the interviewer. Learn their name and use it, and make sure to make eye contact. You also want to make sure you pay attention to anyone who is talking to you.
Don’t Talk Badly About Previous Jobs
You don’t want to badmouth a previous employer, even if you couldn’t stand working there. A job interview isn’t the place for that. If they ask why you left your previous job, respond professionally and don’t start bashing the place.
Prepare 5 Questions
So the interview ends, and the interviewer asks you… “Do you have any questions?” The worst possible answer you could have is “No, I think you covered it all!” Although it might seem like it makes you sound informed and educated, it actually makes you seem uninterested, like you didn’t pay attention during the interview, or like you didn’t do your homework. Have at least five questions prepared in case a few are already answered during the interview. Coming with questions proves you are prepared & interested!
Think Positive
When going into your interview, and while you are there, think positively. There is a very good chance you will get this job. After the interview, don’t dwell on any of the mistakes you think you might have made; in many cases, they might not have been noticed.
Follow Up
Make sure to follow up after the interview. You should send a short thank-you note right away. Then, after a few weeks, if you haven’t heard from them, send a follow-up email. Don’t assume you didn’t get the job, and be professional in your email. You don’t want to overdo this part, but know that it is usually pretty normal for employers to receive follow-ups from those they have interviewed.
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About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.
