10 Tips For A Successful Interview
Believe it or not, you’re likely to go on at least 20, if not 40 job interviews throughout your life.
A study in 2016 found that job tenure was only about four years, meaning Americans will hold an average of ten jobs in their lifetime. Statistically, this means Americans will go on at least 20 (and more likely 40) interviews over the course of their career.
Needless to say, interviewing well is crucial to career success.
Job interviews can be intimidating, even for the most confident people — but they don’t have to be. With the right preparation, you can make a strong impact and keep your career on track. Preparation — which can involve anything from researching the company to knowing what shoes to wear — allows you to showcase your skills and personality with confidence..
So how can you prepare to nail every job interview? Here are ten tips for success.
1. Do your research.
One of the most important things you can use to your advantage at a job interview is knowledge about the company and job you’re applying to! You should spend a fair amount of time before your interview researching the company… check out their website, look at employee reviews on Glassdoor, and explore their social media feeds.
2. Prepare your content.
Interview questions often focus on specific areas of your skills, the industry you work in, your career plans, and your ability to work with people. It’s important to consider what these questions will focus on and prepare your answers in advance. Some popular questions are:
· What are your strengths and areas of improvement?
· Where do you see yourself in 1–3 years?
· Describe a situation in which you solved a job-related problem.
Remember to keep these questions relevant to your experience and to the job you’re interviewing for, and take the time to ensure that you’re covering all your bases.
Career Companion gives you the perfect space to do this step of your interview preparation. The FREE platform offers 100+ interview questions to choose from (as well as the functionality to set your own questions) and the space to answer each question in full detail. You don’t have to prepare a full script — just outline the 3 key points you want to hit.
3. Practice interviewing.
It may feel silly to practice your interview, but the mock interview can be incredibly helpful. It’s a simple process where you simulate a real interview environment by having family or friends ‘interview’ you for a specific role.
Career Companion has a list of tools where you can mock interview online. Here, you can focus on delivering your 3-point responses to ensure that you’re communicating clearly with your ‘interviewer’. Practice makes perfect… by knowing your content from start to finish, you’ll feel confident in your interview skills and with the interview environment itself.
4. Get your head in the game.
Once you have a grasp on the types of questions you might be asked, you can spend the time right before your interview getting your head clear and calm. Come up with a few go-to phrases to use in case you need to stall on questions. Something along the lines of, “What a great question! My answer would be…” or “Let me think about that one for a moment.”
If you have a few of those in your bag, you won’t be afraid of not answering questions immediately, and you’ll feel more relaxed going in to the interview. And don’t be afraid to pause before you speak.
5. Sleep!
Studies show that a good night’s sleep improves memory function, mood, motivation, and judgment… all things imperative to a successful job interview. That’s why it’s crucial to get some sleep the night before your interview! If you’ve been preparing ahead of time, you don’t need to cram the information in again. In fact, sleeping will help you remember everything you practiced. And you don’t want all your prep to go out the window!
6. Show up early.
This doesn’t mean park early, or sign in early, or get in line early… this means be inside the building, at your interview, at least five minutes before your designated time. Not only will this save you stress, but also will help you make a great first impression on your interviewers.
Of course, you don’t want to arrive too early, especially if the company doesn’t have a large lobby or waiting area. You don’t want to make your interviewer feel obligated to start the process sooner than they were anticipating! Five minutes is your best bet for looking impressive while also being prompt.
7. Dress appropriately.
It turns out, dressing correctly for your job interview has a big impact on how your interviewer views you. You’ll be more respected in business-appropriate attire than in beach clothes… and respectability is key to a strong first impression. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy says that people are judged on two main factors: trustworthiness and respectability. Although dressing well might not necessarily convey that you’re a trustworthy person, it can absolutely help you command respect.
8. Ask questions.
Beyond preparing for the questions you’ll be asked, make sure you have some questions of your own! Studies show employers judge candidates not only on their responses, but also on whether or not they ask their own questions. While researching the company, come up with a few authentic and insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview… it’ll show you know the company, and that you’re invested in learning more. You can also ask about next steps in the process, or when you can expect a decision to be made.
9. Create a connection
You want to make sure the interview goes beyond just questions and answers. One-sided job interviews, where there’s no rapport or conversation between both parties, are dull, predictable, and don’t showcase your insights as an interviewee.
Making a good impression on your interviewer makes a huge difference in whether or not you get hired. A study published in the American Sociological Review revealed interviewers tended to select candidates who were more “culturally similar to themselves” (as well as competent). More than half of the participants in the study said they valued cultural fit over analytical thinking, meaning your ability to get along with your interviewer could determine your future at the company.
If you can’t find cultural similarities, try these psychological tricks: use their name throughout the interview, and mirror their body image. Both of these have been proven to make someone like you!
10. Send a thank-you.
Part of a successful job interview is being remembered. A thank-you note after an interview can go a long way in making your interviewer remember you, and can give you a leg up on the competition. It might not guarantee you the job, but it will guarantee you’ll be on your interviewer’s mind! Make sure you send your notes to everyone you met during the interview process, no later than 24 hours after you leave. It’s okay to email, given that snail mail may arrive too late.
Having a successful job interview is key to landing your dream job! Follow these tips to ensure you nail that interview, from beginning to end.
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