You just got called to schedule a job interview for a role you really want! Yes! Great job on getting your application noticed.
Here’s how to ace your job interview in 12 steps.
Do your homework
How awkward would it be if your interviewer asked you what you thought of the company’s core values or marketing strategy and you had no answer because you hadn’t done your research? Or if they asked your perspective of their social media presence and you never took a look at their sites? It happens all the time! To avoid being caught with your pants down, research the organization, the industry and the company culture ahead of time.
Be able to sell yourself in three to five points
Prepare to go into every interview with three to five key selling points in mind. Your selling points should reiterate the job requirements listed in the hiring application and tie into your professional background. For instance, if the job post states the company requires someone with presentation skills, highlight a specific instance where your all-star presentation helped a former company land a large client.
Bring a few copies of your resume
Whether or not they end up needing a copy, having copies of your resume on hand shows that you are prepared. It also gives the interviewer a refresher if they haven’t looked at your CV in a few days.
Play defense
Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes and ask yourself why they might not want to hire you. You might say something like “I know you might think my passion for marketing seems dimmer than my passion for sales based on the jobs I took on in my formative years, but rest assured, marketing is my true calling and I’m looking to put my creative stamp on the product positioning of the right team.”
Nail your body language
Dress professionally, make eye contact, give a firm handshake, have good posture throughout, speak clearly and try to smile. Be sure you’re showing that you’re listening to the interviewer by asking smart questions and nodding your head from time to time.
Come up with smart questions of your own
Having intelligent questions prepared for the interviewer demonstrates your knowledge of the company and your serious intent. Having trouble thinking of a question? Ask “what kind of person would you most like to see fill this position?” If the question is for a potential colleague, ask them what they like most about working at the company.
Rehearse with a friend
Can you answer “Why should we hire you?” with authority? What about with an audience?
Ask a friend to practice shooting you some questions and record your responses. When you replay them, you’ll be able to hear the points at which you sound unclear or hesitant.
Start things off with a compliment
Begin your interview with a positive comment on the organization’s services, products or reputation. Starting a discussion with good energy can help shape the mood of the entire interview.
Stay positive
Never dwell on negative experiences during an interview. Even when you’re asked why you’re looking for a new role or what you don’t like about your current employer, stay upbeat and turn the things you don’t like into learning experiences. Hiring managers don’t want to hear you complain about your job or your bosses!
Don’t let behavior-based questions phase you
You might be asked to talk about a time when you made an unpopular decision or made a costly mistake. Always use real stories from your experiences to illustrate those questions. Remember, it’s always preferable to pause for a moment or two while you think of the best example to illustrate the scenario than to fumble awkwardly over your words. It helps to keep in mind that the interviewer isn’t trying to trip you up. They just want to get a sense for your work style.
Consider a bold approach
If you wrap up the end of the interview and you can tell you and the hiring manager are vibing, ask them if anything they learned so far would take you out of the running for the role. If they have concerns, it gives you a chance to address them and a chance for you to reassure them of your abilities. If they can’t think of anything on the spot, you just reiterated that you are a great fit for the company.
Send a thank-you note
Write a thank-you note after every interview. Customize your notes by referring specifically to what you and the interviewer discussed. Be sure to email the note to the interviewer within 24 hours while you’re fresh in their mind.
