Did you just score an interview? Yay! Good for you! This can be exhilarating, as well as terrifying. I have had my fair share of interviews, both good and bad. But on that note, I wanted to share some of the main points, I’ve learned over time when it comes to interviews.
Without further ado, here are some of my suggestions on how to kick your interview’s ass:
Dress for Success
Upon meeting an interviewer for the first time, one of the first things they will notice about you is how you’re dressed. Present yourself for the occasion. Some interviewers will let you know ahead of time what attire works, i.e. business casual.
If it is unclear, you can never go wrong with a black blazer and some nice black slacks. Also, it’s helpful to consider where you’re applying to. If it is an office environment, perhaps a blouse and black pants work. If the environment is a bit more relaxed, then I suggest a button-up collar with jeans. (Feel free to have fun with this. As long as you look professional, that’s what matters!)
If you own any pets, I highly recommend lint brushing your clothes. I have two cats and that fur gets everywhere! Also, try not to wear overly wrinkled clothing. Remember that an interviewer does not know you yet, so if your clothes don’t look neat, then they may assume that it is a reflection of your work ethic.
How you carry yourself
On another note of appearances, think about your posture and body language. This will reflect your confidence. If you’re feeling apprehensive, try following the motto: Fake it ’till you make it. Here’s how I’ve physically handled my nerves: Sit up straight, relax my shoulders, clasp my hands, cross my legs, and produce a slight smile. If you’re similar to me and have a tendency to bounce your legs when you’re nervous, try slowing the pace of the bounce.
Bring a notebook & a pen
Take notes while they describe the job to you. This will not only show them you’re dedicating attention to what they’re saying but that their description is important enough for you to write down and review later.
Make a conversation
While this is a formal situation, one of the concepts that kept popping up in my research was maintaining a conversation with the interviewer. Yes, they are there to ask you questions, but they’re also trying to get to know you. If they bring up a topic that you can relate to, feel free to chime it! I recall one interview, where I noticed some fur on the interviewer, so I asked if they owned any pets. This led to a fun little discussion on cats. (Also, they offered me a job later on! Maybe the cat conversation helped.)
Let your personality shine forward and feel free to ask them questions too. There may be some awkward pauses and that’s okay! Remember that they are most likely jotting down what you just told them. Take this as a momentary break to sort your thoughts.
Sell yourself
If you got the interview, it means that they saw something about your resume that set you apart from the other candidates. Your opportunity to gush about yourself will come when they say, “Tell me about yourself.” This tends to be one of the scariest questions because it is incredibly broad. However, this is the perfect time to highlight your achievements and positive traits.
Some of the things I’ve said are: where I went to school, what I studied, and what led me to the current job. If you would like more suggestions, check out indeed’s article on this topic: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/interview-question-tell-me-about-yourself.
Come prepared
- Even if you have already submitted your resume, bring an extra one!
- Bring a set of references. Three tends to be a good amount.
- As previously mentioned, have a notebook and pen ready to go.
- Research the company. Researching works as a guide to understanding the company’s principles and policies. If you are asked, why you’re interested in the company, you can easily reference something from their website. For example, “I really like your mission statement on how every child should have support because it aligns with my beliefs.”
- Bring a list of your own questions! This will show the interviewer that you are actually interested in the job at hand.
- Rehearse what you’re going to say. You’ll be surprised how helpful this can be, especially when nerves show up!
Ask questions
Remember that you are not the only one under a microscope. You are also there to see if the company is the right fit for you. Interview them too.
Generally, they allow time at the end of the interview for any questions. That’s when you have the floor and can ask the questions you’ve prepared or have come up with during the interview.
With all that said, there are so many other concepts about interviews to touch base on, but these previous points have helped me a lot.
Take a breath. Interviews can be scary, but as long as you hold your ground, you will be okay. And if it doesn’t work out with that company, consider the interview as practice for the next one. None of the interviews that I’ve done have been flawless however, I found that after doing a few interviews, I started to gain some confidence. So, allow yourself enough time to get there and kick that interview’s ass!
If you guys have any additional suggestions for slaying an interview, write them down in the comments below!
Good luck with your journey,
Harumi
Good sound advice, almost makes me wish I was looking for a job. 😎
Very good advice. One thing that’s worth remembering is that often the interviewer is every bit as nervous as you are. It isn’t their job to put you at ease, but rather it can really help if you do that for them. Be ready with stories to illustrate how you’ve put into practice what you’re saying you “know” in theory. That can be hard if you’ve limited job experience, but there are often analogous situations in other parts of your life – as student, or athlete for example. People connect with stories much more than prepared speeches!
That’s a great thing to keep in mind. Thank you for adding that to the topic!!