You have just received an invitation to your first job interview. On one hand you are excited about the news, on the other hand, you’re a bit (or perhaps very) nervous about the interview.
Understandably, job interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience for many job seekers, but it doesn't have to be a daunting and terrifying task for you.
With the right preparation, job interviews are a great opportunity to make a powerful impression on potential employers and get that coveted offer call or email after you have done the interview.
Ultimately, the success of your job search comes down to how well you convey your value to a prospective employer.
In this post, you'll discover how to ace your job interviews and get the job you deserve!
You may have heard this one before, but it's true: research is key.
In order to make a strong impression on your interviewer, you should know everything there is to know about the company.
So, take a look at the company's website and social media platforms and see what they're all about. Learn about the company's history and get familiar with its mission, vision, and values. Understand what they do and how they make money. Acquaint yourself with their products and services.
Determine the company's strengths and weaknesses and find out about its competitors.
It is important to understand the company's history and business model in order to show your interviewer that you are well-informed about the company.
If you still need more information, look for other articles, news, and reviews about the company.
Check out reviews on Glassdoor.com to see what former employees have said about working there.
During your research you should get ideas on how to answer pointed questions about why the company interests you and how you can help contribute to its growth, so be sure to review their job posting to see what qualities they are seeking in an ideal employee.
Have a few talking points ready before your interview so that you won’t be scrambling for answers when the questions begin to roll in.
The more you know about a company, the easier it will be to tailor your answers to your interviewer's needs and expectations.
Whenever you have information about your interviewer (or interviewers), do some research on them. Check out the team bios on the company’s website to learn more about them.
Try to look them up on LinkedIn to get information about their work history and experience. It's also a good idea to check them out on other social media platforms as well, if their profiles are public. This gives you a chance to observe their hobbies and interests; you might just discover you have something in common with them and can use that to break the ice during your interview.
Feeling prepared and armed with this information can help ease your nerves and make things go smoother during the interview.
Prepare for your interview by making sure you know all the information on your resume. You might have already done this when you first created your resume, but now it's time to make sure you're still up-to-date with everything on it. Go through each section and make sure everything matches up with what was listed on the job posting. Then double-check it again the night before your interview, just to be sure everything is in order.
It's important to know your resume by heart, including dates and experiences. You don't want to be caught off-guard when interviewers ask questions about the information on your resume.
First impressions matter; we all know this. So, if you want to stand out from the crowd, take extra care to dress well for your interview.
Dressing appropriately shows your respect for the company and its culture.
This doesn't mean that you have to be wearing designer clothing or wear a tuxedo, but it does mean that you should have ironed or dry-cleaned your clothes and that they are appropriate for the company and position.
Get some ideas about the prevalent dress code in the organization by checking out what other employees wear in their profile pictures on the company’s website, then emulate those styles.
Prepare answers to all possible interview questions in advance so you won't feel pressured during the actual interview. Practice making eye contact with each person who asks a question during mock interviews so that it'll feel natural during real ones.
Be prepared to explain how you would be an asset to the company, which is why it's important to research the company and understand the job requirements.
You'll need to be ready to answer standard questions like "Why do you want to work for our company?" and "What is your biggest weakness?" If you’re asked why you want to work there, give them specific reasons that are compelling and relevant.
One of the most popular interview questions is, "Tell me about yourself." And a good response can include information such as your educational background, professional experience, and personal interests.
When asked about your strengths and weaknesses, speak positively about yourself without being boastful or unkind. For example, don't say that you're not good at working in a team if you really want to work for a company where teamwork is valued highly. Instead, say that you're better at working independently than on a team.
You should also be prepared to talk about some key points in your employment history, like accomplishments or challenges you faced or resolved.
Be ready to explain gaps in your work history or education if this applies to you.
If the position you're interviewing for represents a career shift for you, have a good explanation for the change and what skills will make you successful in the new role.
Don't interrupt the interviewer while they're talking. When the interviewer asks you a question, take a few seconds to organize your thoughts before answering. Acknowledge the interviewer when they are talking to you by maintaining eye contact and nodding your head.
Ask for clarification if you have misunderstood a question. It's better to ask the interviewer to clarify things instead of rambling and providing wrong answers.
Know what you have to offer the company. Doing proper research on the company and its objectives for the job position and performing an assessment of your knowledge, skills, and experience will help you identify what you can bring to the table.
You need to understand your strengths and skills (both technical and interpersonal skills), and confidently communicate how they'll serve the company's interests and help you succeed in this role.
When you're interviewing for a new job, the interviewer will likely ask you questions about yourself and your past experience. When answering, it's important to be concise and direct—avoid rambling or giving vague answers.
If someone asks if you have experience in something, you don't need to say "yes" or "no." Instead, explain what kind of experience you have and how it relates to the position for which you're interviewing. This shows that you've done your research and that you know what they're looking for in an employee.
When answering questions about why you want to be hired, focus on how your skills will benefit the company—don't just list off tasks or responsibilities. You want to show that you can fit into the company's culture and help them achieve their objectives.
When you're asked a question, don't be afraid to take a moment to think about what you want to say before jumping in with an answer. This shows that you're taking their question seriously and that you're confident enough to take your time before answering.
Even if the question seems silly or irrelevant to the job description, take it seriously and answer thoughtfully. For example, if you were interviewing for a sales position at a large auto-dealership and you were asked about the kind of car that you drive. If you respond by saying, "I'm more of a motorcycle guy," don't expect them to call back with an offer letter anytime soon!
Body language is universally understood, and you need to pay attention to it. The way you sit, stand, and walk will have a great impact on how the interviewer views you. Also, avoid fidgeting or making any other movements that may be distracting.
Be aware of your body language and make sure you're sending good body language cues at all times during the interview.
Here are some tips for projecting good body language:
1. Smile early and often. Smiling is a great way to put people at ease, which can be especially helpful in an interview setting where everyone is nervous about making a good impression. Practice smiling in the mirror before going into any interview.
2.
Sit up straight and make eye
contact. This is one of the easiest ways to look confident and professional in
a job interview.
Looking someone in the eye shows them that you're engaged in what they're
saying and interested in understanding their perspective on things. It also
helps build trust between two people who are interacting with each other for
the first time (which makes sense because we tend to look at people we like).
However, don't stare directly into someone's eyes for too long—this can be
uncomfortable for the other person.
4. Don't cross your arms or legs, as this can be interpreted as closed off and defensive. If you're sitting down, try to keep both feet on the ground so that you don't look too relaxed. And if you're standing up, make sure that one foot is planted firmly on the ground so that you're not swaying back and forth or shifting from side to side.
Have a list of questions that you can ask the interviewer when the opportunity arises. This includes questions about what the company offers in terms of job training and career development.
Some other questions you could ask include:
â— What does success look like in this role?
â— How would you describe what it's like to work here?
â— What are some challenges I can expect with this position?
It's not enough to ace your first job interview. You also need to follow up with a thank-you note. It shows that you're grateful for the interviewer's time and consideration. It shows that you're interested in them and their company, which will give them a good impression of you as an employee who's going to fit in well with the team if they decide to hire you.
When sending a thank-you note, make sure it's sent within 24 hours of the interview (ideally immediately after). Be sure to keep it short and sweet; don't ramble on about how excited you are about working there.
Your thank-you note should include the following elements:
â— Your name and contact information.
â— Expression of gratitude for their time.
â— A brief summary of the conversation (what was discussed).
â— A reference to your interest in the company or position.
â— Expression of confidence in your ability to perform well in the job.
The thank-you note is an opportunity for you to reinforce your interest in the position, make a connection with the hiring manager and stand out from other candidates. Don't wait until after you've gotten the job offer—it's too late then!
It can be tough to get your foot in the door, but if you go into your first interview with a good attitude, plenty of research and preparation, and as much confidence as you can muster, you're already ahead of the curve. Do everything in your power to nail that all-important first impression by practicing over and over again. And now, with these tips under your belt, you're far more prepared than so many job seekers before you.