5 Tips to Nail Your Job Interview
Land the Job of Your Dreams by Perfecting Your Interview Skills
Jun 8, 2009
You’ve put in the time researching for your dream job and you’ve tweaked your resume and cover letter to make them perfect. You got the all-important phone call from the human resources manager to ask you in for a job interview. Now’s the time to make sure it all goes perfectly.
Research the Company
Employers want to hire someone that’s passionate about their company. Prove your passion by doing plenty of research before your interview:
- read the company’s website
- check out the websites of their competitors
- read any accountability documents you can get your hands on (e.g. annual reports)
- talk to someone who works there, if possible.
When you can have an intelligent conversation about the company and what they do, you’ll be sure to make an impression on your interviewers.
Ask Plenty of Questions
Well thought-out questions indicate enthusiasm and curiosity – both of which are great traits in employees. During your research, jot down any notes on areas you’re particularly interested in, or you’d like more explanation about. Bring them up at appropriate times during the interview to keep the conversation rolling.
You can also use this time to ask questions to gauge whether or not this is somewhere you actually want to work. Ask about social dynamics, after-work activities, and work atmosphere. Their answers to these questions will give you a better idea if working there will make you happy for years to come.
Do a Practice Interview Before the Real Thing
It may seem silly, but having a run-through before the interview will work out any jitters. Compile a list of questions that you think they may ask, and have a friend or family member read them to you. Practice makes perfect, and interviews are no exception.
If you can’t quite bring yourself to practice with someone else, read the interview questions aloud by yourself. As you answer, write down anything you wish to remember at the real interview. Practicing ahead of time will make you much more comfortable when you’re meeting with your interviewers.
Prepare an Outfit the Night Before the Interview
Pressed slacks, a wrinkle-free skirt – these are the things that make you look neat and professional. Choose an interview outfit the night before your interview and keep it safe and clean. That way you can focus on more important things than clothes, like keeping your nerves under control.
Be Yourself at the Interview
It’s important to be as comfortable as you can be while you’re being interviewed. Remember, the interviewers aren’t testing you on how quickly you answer their questions; they’re interviewing you to see how well you would fill their role. If they ask a tough question, or one that you would like to think on for a while, feel free to say, “That’s a great question. I’d like to think on it a bit so that I can give you a good answer.”
Also, don’t be afraid to let a bit of humor come through – just make sure it’s appropriate and never over-the-top. No-one wants to hire a robot, so let your personality shine through.
The more time you spend preparing for an interview, the more likely you are to stand out from the crowd. Credentials and tertiary schooling are good – but a great personality and enthusiasm are more important than anything you can list on paper.
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