7 Ways to Ace Your Next Interview
Are you thinking of being part of the Great Resignation? The Harvard Business Review says that “according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4 million Americans quit their jobs in July 2021” Making a career change can be scary in many ways, the most prominent part being the interview for the job.
Interviewing for a job can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Interviews are an excellent opportunity to get to know the company and find out if you would enjoy working there. It’s also an opportunity for the employer to get to know you.
With the right approach, you can have an opportunity to stand out in the search for your next job. In this article, we will discuss seven ways to help you ace your next interview so that you land your dream job!
1) Prepare well in advance — Know as much as possible about the company before going into an interview, as this gives off a good impression and shows dedication on your part. Be prepared with questions that expand on the research you have done. Interviewers love it when candidates have done their research beforehand and appreciate the opportunity to share about their company. Some examples of things to target during your search:
Company Reviews — how does the company score on Glassdoor.com, a website for employee reviews
Awards & Recognition — has the company been recognized for any industry awards or been awarded any “best workplace” designations
Financial Performance — if the company is publicly traded, financial performance documentation can be found online and give some insight into how the company is managed. If you aren’t sure how to review and interpret financial statements, do some digging to find financial articles written about the company
2) Dress professionally- This may seem like a no-brainer, but dressing professionally for your interview is crucial. Choose an outfit that you feel confident in and fits well; you feel your best and project the best version of yourself.
If you aren’t sure what the dress code is for the company, err on the side of overdressing. You will not get judged by an interviewer by appearing over-dressed; it will simply come across that you care a lot about making a good impression.
3) Arrive early- Punctuality is key! Interviewers often have a tight schedule, and if you’re running late, it will not reflect well on you. However, you should always allow for traffic and unforeseen circumstances that may cause a delay.
Many interviews are virtual. It is good to practice the technical part in advance of the interview. Based on the chosen platform for your video call, make sure your technology is working beforehand. Check into the interview about 5 minutes before the interview start time.
4) Be yourself- Interviewers are not looking for someone fake. They want to see your personality and how you will fit into their workplace culture, so be yourself! Authenticity in an interview can include using a bit of appropriate humor or letting your passion for a specific topic, area, or interview question shine through.
5) Practice Interview Questions- Many websites offer example interview questions. Practice answering these questions, so you feel comfortable with them and sound polished. Part of your interview preparation should be to make notes of specific examples within your work history where you shone. Reflect on a time when you exhibited a skill you know matters to the company. You can understand what you might get asked about by reviewing the job posting.
Many companies adopt a behavioral style of interviewing, which can be challenging. Interviewers will ask for specific examples in your career where you demonstrated the desired skill or competency. When asked for specific examples, remember to use an actual situation. You are being asked not for what you would do in a particular situation but what you actually did.
6) Stay calm and positive- Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but try to stay calm and positive. If you start getting nervous, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you are prepared and have everything under control.
Try to remember that interviews are awkward by nature and that your interviewers may have some level of nervousness as well. They want to appear professional in front of a stranger and show their company in the best light.
An interview is an opportunity to let yourself shine as an individual. We often don’t get to reflect on our accomplishments and share what we are proud of in our careers. Think of interviewing as a way to do this, and you may be able to shift your thinking to an outlook of enjoying them.
7) Lastly, don’t forget to follow up after the interview! Send a quick email that thanks to the interviewer for their time and re-iterates your interest in their company. It is a good practice to send a separate email to each person if more than one individual has interviewed you.
Interviewing for a job can be nerve-wracking, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to learn more about the company and see if the position is a good fit for you. Using these seven tips can help you land your dream job!