Job Interview 101: Tips for Success

Job Interview 101: Tips for Success

There's a major sense of accomplishment that comes with obtaining a job interview. But getting results from your interview is difficult, and takes a little effort. Follow these job interview tips and improve your chances of getting hired for your new job.

1. Research the Company

If you want to stand out from the other job applicants, you should learn about the company and your interview team. Look at the company's website and try to figure out their values. You can also get valuable information from the company's social media pages and their press releases.

Your research will help you in two ways. First, it will give you confidence in yourself. You might feel well-prepared and ready for anything. Secondly, your research will make a good impression. If you can tactfully show the interviewers that you know about the company, they'll view you in a better light.

2. Practice Your Answers

There are several common interview questions that you can expect to be asked. If you want to prepare yourself for the interview, familiarize yourself with those questions. Then, think of how you want to answer them.

Be ready to talk about yourself and to explain how you could add value to the company. Additionally, be prepared to discuss your required salary.

For the best results, practice answering interview questions in front of a mirror. You can also ask a friend to host a mock interview.

3. Refresh Your Memory

Throughout your search, you've probably applied for more jobs than you can remember. Therefore, you may not remember much about the job you're interviewing for.

Before your interview, find the job description and read it. Think about the skills and traits the employer wants, and consider how you meet their needs. Come up with examples of how past jobs and educational experiences make you a good candidate for the position.

4. Get Your References Ready

Sometimes, interviewers expect you to have a list of references during or after the interview. You can save yourself some time by having your reference list prepared before the day of your interview.

Reach out to everyone on your list and let them know to expect a phone call. If you haven't updated your list, now is a good time to do so. You might have a new name to include, or you may need to remove a name.

5. Have Examples of Your Work

Your interviewers are likely to have specific questions about your past positions. In addition to knowing what those jobs entailed, your interviewers will want to hear about examples of your work.

In some cases, a story is enough to satisfy their curiosity. However, you might need physical examples. For instance, you could give them a URL of a website you developed or a press release you wrote. Whatever you choose as your examples, make sure it's relevant to your desired position.

6. Ask Questions

All too often, interviewees make the mistake of remaining too quiet during an interview. Your prospective employer wants to know that you're inquisitive and confident. To demonstrate that, ask questions about the position.

Ask things about the characteristics of their ideal employee, how departments collaborate, and how they measure performance.

Asking these questions doesn't only show that you're confident. It also shows that you're interested in the position. Generally, interviewers assume that an applicant with no questions doesn't take the position or the application process seriously.

7. Prepare the Night Before

The last thing you want to do is spend the morning of your interview scrambling to get ready. To make sure you're not rushing out of the house, prepare everything the night prior to your interview.

Pick your attire and try it on to ensure that it fits. If it doesn't look professional or doesn't seem appropriate for the job, try a different outfit. Once you have the clothes picked out, you should gather any paperwork and other items you need to bring for the interview. This includes several copies of your resume, a notebook, and a pen. During the interview, take notes to show that you're interested.

8. Arrive Early

If you arrive late to your interview, you are unlikely to get a job offer. Overcoming a negative first impression is extremely difficult. For that reason, you should do your best to arrive on time.

To avoid being late, plan to arrive about 15 minutes early. Several days before you leave, use an app to find out how long it will take you to get to the interview location. In certain apps, you can even predict the drive time for a given time and day.  

Familiarize yourself with the route and consider making a practice drive before the day of the interview. If your planning works and you arrive 15 minutes early, take the time to observe the interactions in the workplace.

9. Be Confident

If you really want to make a good impression on your interviewers, you need to be confident. Use your body language to show your interviewers that you’re happy and confident. Stand with your back straight and your head held high. Before your interview, get out your jitters with a few deep breaths.

You should also show confidence with your handshake. When you approach the interview team, look them directly in the eye. Have a firm grip as you grasp their hand, but don’t try too hard. It’s all about finding the right balance. As strange as it may sound, you might want to practice your handshake before you attend the interview.

10. Exude Positivity

Negativity destroys productivity in the workplace. It brings down everyone else in the office, and it’s a red flag for interviewers. To show everyone that you’ll be a valuable member of their team, have a positive mindset. Use upbeat body language and try to smile. However, avoid being fake. Forced smiles and ingenuine gestures won’t earn you any points.

It’s equally important to be positive about your former employers. Even if you had a bad experience with your last employer, don’t speak negatively about it. You can share your story, but explain how you learned from it and how you plan on moving forward.

Try Out These Job Interview Tips  

If you’re ready for a new position, prepare yourself for the challenges that come with interviewing. Follow these job interview tips, and you may be one step closer to the perfect job.

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