Introduction
An interview is effectively a conversation with a potential employer to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for the job. Job interviews are notoriously nerve-wracking and require you to demonstrate you have the skills, experience, and knowledge necessary for the role and that you could fit into the company culture. It’s important to remember that an interview is a two-way process; it allows you to interview the company too. Not only are you being assessed, but you can assess whether the company is right for you.
Tip 1: Research the Company
Before attending your interview, you must research the company. Finding out as much as possible about the company demonstrates to your prospective employer that you are genuinely interested in the organisation and their values. Look into their mission statement and the history of the company. Read press releases and recent blog posts and get up to speed across the latest business news, industry trends and competitors. This can help you make well-informed questions during the interview and make a great first impression.
Tip 2: Prepare Answers
Nerves sometimes cause us to forget what we want to say during interviews or even get tongue-tied. This is why it’s essential to take the time to adequately prepare for your interview. Brainstorm a list of potential questions beforehand and consider possible responses for each. Calm yourself down and practice these responses to ensure your delivery is slick. Being prepared will also boost your confidence and subliminally communicate your strength of character to the interviewer.
Tip 3: Dress Appropriately
How you dress speaks volumes about yourself; the same applies during job interviews. Always aim to look professional and express yourself with what you wear subtly. If you ask yourself, ‘Should I wear a suit to an interview?’ the answer will depend on the company. Generally, you can’t go wrong with a suit – wear a shirt, tie and dress trousers or a skirt – but make sure you wear something appropriate for the industry and the role. Ideally, you should aim to fit in with the company’s culture and establish a connection between your values and the company’s.
Tip 4: Arrive Early
It’s essential to arrive early and entirely prepared for your interview. Not only will this demonstrate your punctuality, but it’ll also give you time to get comfortable in the building and relax before the discussion. By allowing yourself extra time to get to the location, you have time to settle before your appointment and check the equipment you need is ready.
Tip 5: Body Language
How you carry yourself, speak, and interact with the interviewer, all contribute to your overall impression of them. Get your body language right – it could decide between being offered the job or overlooked. Ensure you have good posture, maintain eye contact, and keep your hands visible but not fidgeting.
Tip 6: Show Interest
You are not at an interview just to answer questions; you should participate in the discussion and be genuinely intrigued by the company and the role. To show interest, think about areas of the job you would like to learn more about, focus on the interviewer’s face and concentrate on what they’re saying. Listen carefully and be prepared to explain why you would like the role and why you’re well suited to it.
Tip 7: Ask Questions
Asking questions is a great way to show your interest in the company and allow the interviewer to gain insight into your type of work. Try to formulate a mixture of questions about the role, the company, the team, and the company culture. This encourages the interviewer to think more deeply about you and further opens the conversation.
Tip 8: Follow Up
Once the interview is over, there is still more that can be done. Following up with the interviewer is a great way to stand out from the other candidates. It could be as simple as sending a thank-you email, acknowledging the interviewer’s time and expressing your gratitude. This can help to keep the conversation alive and give your potential employer another opportunity to get to know you.
Tip 9: Persevere
Receiving rejection isn’t pleasant, but the best way to overcome rejection is to stay motivated and keep pushing forward. As soon as you receive a rejection, you must remember it’s not the end. Focus on the positives, such as what you learnt from the interview, so you can apply it for future discussions.
Tip 10: Practice,
Practice makes perfect, and this doesn’t exclude job interviews. The key is to become confident in your answers, whether it’s practising out loud, with a friend, parent or teacher. Additionally, practice is a great way to get used to the feeling of an interview. The more interviews you do, the more comfortable you’ll feel with the process.
Conclusion
Whether this is your first interview, or you’ve been on many before, following these 10 tested tips will help set you apart from the competition. Remember, an interview is a two-way process, and the more knowledge you can demonstrate regarding the company, the better your chance of securing that dream job. The most important aspect is being yourself and being prepared; the rest will come to you.
We hope this blog has given you the confidence and information to take control of the interview process. Good luck in your following job interview – you’ve got this!