Finding a job in today’s economy is difficult. Simply searching for a
job opportunity is tough enough. Throw in the dreaded job interview and
difficult becomes downright stressful. However, it is possible to
alleviate some of the stress. Here are 18 tips to help you ace your job
interview.
Know Where You Are Going
A few days before your interview, make sure to get directions to your
interview location online. If the directions are confusing or you aren’t
familiar with the location, take time to do a drive by so that on the
day of your interview you don’t get lost.
Call to Confirm
The day before your interview, call whoever scheduled your interview to
confirm the day and time. By making a quick “I just wanted to confirm
our 12pm interview time tomorrow” call, you will show that you are
organized and respect the interviewer’s time.
Hygiene
Before your interview, make sure your hygiene is up to par. For men,
this means making sure your hair is in control and that you are
clean-shaven. For women, this means making sure to put on a little bit
of makeup and doing your hair.
Review Your Resume
The night before your interview, go back over your resume to make sure
you have everything on it that best highlights your skills and
accomplishments as they relate to the position you are applying for.
Make sure you know your major talking points for the interview so that
you are adequately prepared.
Research the Company
Take the time to research the company you are interviewing with. Know
what they do, their mission statement, any major events in the company’s
history, and any other relevant information. By showing that you know
about the company, you will convey an interest that the interviewer will
appreciate.
Research Your Interviewers
When researching the company, also be sure to do a little research on
anyone who will be interviewing you. By knowing their role in the
company and any major professional accomplishments they have, you will
demonstrate that you care not just about the company but about the
employees and that you will be a great coworker.
Dress the Part
If you want the part, you have to look the part. Figure out the kind of
culture the company has, then dress a level up. By doing this, you will
demonstrate a level of professionalism that will be looked upon
favorably.
Drive Safely
Your interview starts as soon as you enter the parking lot and doesn’t
end until you leave the parking lot. Be sure to be a good driver when
driving. Reckless driving will label you as an irresponsible liability
the company doesn’t need.
Be Early
Whatever you do, do not be late. Show up early to demonstrate that you
are responsible and appreciative of the interviewer’s time. Even showing
up on time doesn’t cut it as that will simply show you will do the bare
minimum to get by. Employers want employees who will go above and
beyond.
Turn Your Cell Phone Off
One major interview faux pas is to have your phone ring during an
interview. Make sure your cell phone is off or on silent during an
interview. Or better yet, just leave it in the car.
Bring Multiple Copies of Your Resume
If you were giving a presentation during a company meeting that required
a handout you would make sure you had made enough copies for everyone
in the meeting, right? Well, chances are you will have multiple people
interviewing you, so be prepared and respectful of each interviewer by
bringing a copy of your resume for each of them.
Watch Your Nonverbals
Be sure to make good eye contact, give each interview a solid handshake,
and not fiddle with a pen. Your nonverbal cues are very important in an
interview, so do your best to not just talk confidently, but act
confident too.
Have an Elevator Speech Prepared
Most of the time, the first question you will be asked is, “tell me
about yourself.” Make sure you are ready for this question by having a
brief, 30-second elevator speech ready to go that highlights your job
history and accomplishments as well as what you are looking for in your
career. Memorize the speech by heart and learn how to deliver your pitch
with charm and confidence.
Be Prepared for Certain Questions
Inevitably you will be asked questions along the lines of “what is your
greatest weakness,” “why do you want to work here,” and “how does your
current skill set fit with this position.” Be sure you know how to
answer these questions and any other relevant questions before your
interview so you don’t get caught off guard.
Stay Positive
We have all had jobs we hated, worked on projects that were difficult,
and had bosses we butted heads with. You will probably be asked about
difficult situations in previous positions, so be sure to stay positive
about those situations by highlighting your success in that situation as
well as anything beneficial you learned from it.
Have Questions
At the end of your interview, you will be asked if you have any
questions for the interviewer. Have questions prepared to ask each
interviewer. For example, you could ask, “What is your favorite part of
your job?” By coming prepared with questions for your interviewers, it
shows that you are prepared and have interest in the company.
Take Notes
During your interview, be sure you have a notepad with you so you can
take notes when the interviewers answer your questions or give you more
information about the job and company. Just make sure you continue to
make eye contact with the interviewer and not simply writing frantically
on your notepad.
Follow Up
At the end of the interview, get business cards from everyone who
interviewed you and send them a thank you note or email within 24 hours.
Doing this demonstrates that you are appreciative of their time.
