Do you have a big interview coming up? Are you wondering what you can do to make sure it goes well?
Interviews can be nervewracking and mentally taxing. And, it can be very tough to make it all the way to the interview stage of the application process, only to find out you didn’t get the job. Luckily, there are some tips you can employ to make sure you ace your interview and land your dream job.
Check out this guide to discover the top interview tricks and tips.
1. Research the Company You’re Interviewing For
One of the most important things you can do to ace your interview is to research the company you’re interviewing for.
Many interviewers these days will flat out ask you what you know about their company. If you can’t share any knowledge, then that’s a dead giveaway to the interviewer that you’re not as serious about the job as you may be presenting.
So, take some time to check out the company’s website, social media profiles, and recent press releases. These things will give you a solid understanding of the company’s brand and mission. While you don’t need to know the company inside and out you should know what it is that sets them apart from their competition, what their general philosophy is, and what their company culture is.
2. Practice Your Answers to Common Interview Questions
Whether you’re applying for a job as a civil engineer or a cosmetologist, there are common interview questions that nearly every company asks. While answering these questions, again and again, can be tedious, you can set yourself up for success by practicing your answers to the most common interview questions.
Even if these questions aren’t asked in your interview, there’s a good chance some variation of them will be asked. Here are some of the most common interview questions that you should prepare answers for:
- Tell me about yourself
- How did you hear about this position?
- Why should we hire you?
- What do you consider to be your greatest strengths?
- What do you consider to be your biggest weaknesses?
- Wha’s your biggest professional achievement?
- Why do you want to work for this company?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Why do you want this job?
- Why do you want to leave your current job?
- Tell us about a tough decision you had to make in the last 6 months
We also suggest researching the most common interview questions for your field and preparing answers for those. For example, if you’re interviewing for a position as a kindergarten teacher, you can Google, “most common interview questions for kindergarten teachers”. Also, if you’re applying for a position at a big company like Amazon or Facebook, we also suggest researching common interview questions for that company.
3. Recruit a Friend to Do a Practice Interview With
Practicing answers to common interview questions in your head is a lot different than actually saying them aloud. And, saying answers aloud to yourself is a lot different than saying them aloud to someone else.
We suggest recruiting a friend or mentor to conduct a practice interview with you. This way, you’ll get used to saying the answers to interview questions to someone else. You can even ask your friend to come up with some of their own questions so you don’t get too used to rehearsing your answers and instead you’re challenged to think on the spot.
4. Show Up Early
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is showing up to an interview late.
Aim to be 5 to 10 minutes early for the interview. Most recruiters see showing up early as being on time. Not only will showing up early impress your interviewer but it’ll also help calm your nerves. If you’re racing through traffic to get to your interview on time, there’s a good chance that you’re going to be a nervous wreck during the interview, even if you manage to get there on time.
We recommend giving yourself double the amount of time to get to the interview spot. So, if it takes you15 minutes to get there on time, leave 30 minutes early. This way, while you’re waiting to be called in for the interview, you can take a few minutes to calm yourself down and rehearse your answers.
5. Make a Connection With the Interviewer
Depending on where you’re interviewing, the hiring manager may be interviewing dozens, if not hundreds of people. Therefore, it”s very important that you find a way to stand out from the crowd in your interview.
One of the best ways to stand out is to make a personal connection with the interviewer. Know the interviewer’s name, and use it in the job interview.
You can also make a personal connection by mentioning something about the weather, the city you live in, or the local sports team. You don’t just want the interviewer to like you as a job candidate, you want them to like you as a person. Establishing a personal connection during the interview will help you do just that.
6. Try to Stay Calm
While it’s easier said than done, it’s important that you do your best to stay calm during the job interview.
It’s completely normal to be nervous about a job interview. The trick is to not let your nerve show through and sabotage your interview. Appearing confident can help you appear less nervous than you actually are.
To do this, make eye contact with the interviewer and use the interviewer’s name. Also, don’t be afraid to take a moment before answering a question to gather your thoughts. This will help you cut down on your “um’s”, “ah’s”, and “likes”. And, speak slowly when you answer, as this will help you articulate your answer to the best of your ability.
These great tips will help you keep your cool and nail the interview.
Interview Tricks: Are You Ready for Your Big Interview?
Now that you’ve read these interview tricks, it’s time to get ready for your big interview. Thanks to these tips, you’ll nail your interview and land your dream job.
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more interview- and job-related tips and tricks.
