Trends related to job satisfaction have increased pretty dramatically over the last few decades, according to Gallup polls. However, there are many contradictions to Gallup’s findings, with some like the Wall Street Journal indicating that job satisfaction rates are still under 50% in the United States — arguably the largest workforce on the planet. If you’re looking for a job, chances are you don’t want to fall into the unhappy class that continues to dominate the polls.
Here are 5 sure-fire tips to smash your next dream job interview:
1. Don’t show up unprepared.
Truly, any company worth working for will have a well trained recruitment team who can tell the difference between applicants who don’t care — ie., those who show up ready to wing it — and those who’ve at least shown a modicum of interest in the company prior to the interview by doing some cursory research. It’s hard to fake interest. Read up on the company, ask people you know who’ve worked for them (LinkedIn is great if you don’t actually “know” someone), and check out the company’s social feeds to learn as much as you can about them and their mission in the marketplace.
2. Do dress and groom like a boss.
First impressions can make or break you in an interview, and many other aspects of life. Don’t dress up like you’re going out for a night on the town hunting down Pokemon, it’ll more than likely backfire according to this study, which found over 70 percent of recruiters stating that dressing poorly is the big mistake they encounter most often from applicants. Dress professional, don’t leave your hair looking like Seth Rogan circa 2008, and make sure you’re not wearing sneakers or beach sandals.
3. Don’t blather on like a conceited idiot.
You need to be prepared, but you definitely do not need to control the conversation. In most cases, this is the interviewer’s role. They ask questions, you answer, and carefully add your own questions into the flow of the conversation. If all you do is blather and not listen to the interviewer, you’ll be tossed aside — incessant talkers/poor listeners make for bad team members!
4. Never lie — about anything!
Lying is always a bad thing. Sadly, if you’re a liar this advice isn’t going to do you much good, as you have to be rather delusional to spend your entire life lying to everyone and never clue into the fact that the rest of us fellow humans do actually have an innate ability to detect falsehoods in a conversation. If you contradict yourself, or flat say something the interviewer knows isn’t true, you’ll definitely get starched. Essentially, a little white lie once in a while might go on undetected. However, consider that an interview is just like a first date, and the worst way to start a new relationship is by lying — you might not get caught in the moment, but it can still come back on you when you least expect it.
5. Don’t fail to follow up afterwords.
Yep, many recruiters, team managers, and most certainly a healthy majority of business owners who interview you will place a lot of weight on your application if you show interest after the interview is over. Consider this above all else: Choosing the right candidate is rarely easy, though there are some who stand out above all the rest and make themselves an easy choice for hiring staff. That aside, most times it’s tough. When it comes down to you and a few others, and you and maybe one other person call to enquire about the status of your application — to touch base and thank them for the opportunity to interview for the job — don’t you think that’s going to offer a nudge in your favor? Follow ups are important: If you don’t get a reply to the first call or email, the odds are still good you’ll hear back if you persist.
Here’s wishing you nothing but luck on your job search!
Never give up searching for a job that makes you jump out of bed in the morning, eager to start each and every day.
Main Image Credit: Ben Raynal/Flickr
