7 Tips for a Great Interview

You’ve made it to the next step in the job application: Interview! This is where you finally meet your potential employer in person, which also means that this is an opportunity to really stand out from the rest of the applicants. Here are some interview tips to help you land that job you are applying for.

1. Practice and Prepare

Review typical interview questions employers ask and even practice your answers. Strong and concise answers help refer back to your skills listed in your resume. Specific positions demand their own questions and answers so be sure to know your role as much as you can.

2. Research the Company

If you are going to work for a company, especially ones that pay well, do your research and get to know its industry. Employers may ask you what you know about their companies. If you cannot answer that question on the spot, it is much harder for them to even consider you for that position. In any case they might not ask, you can implement your knowledge in your field alongside your knowledge of the company on your own.

3. Connect with the Interviewer

Get to know the one interviewing you. Know the interviewer’s name. If you get a phone call or email back with that interviewer’s name, make sure to remember it and/or keep a note about it. When you introduce yourself as well as saying your interviewer’s name, you are more likely to be hired because of how well you can remember the little details that benefit the company in any way.

4. Prepare Ahead of Time

Do not wait until the very last minute to prepare for your interview. This includes choosing an outfit, which should be prepared days in advance. Make copies of your resume, you never know how many you would need to give out. Pick out the right shoes, style your hair, and iron your suit, dress shirt, and slacks to reduce stress on the day of the interview. Bring a pen and paper to take some notes.

5. Be On Time

It really means be early. If you are on time, you are late. But if you are early, you are on time. To be on time means arriving at the building 10-15 minutes early. Calculate the time on how long it will take to commute from your home to the destination. When you arrive to your location, you can spend the next few minutes preparing and calming your nerves if needed.

6. Stay Calm!

During the interview, the last thing you’d want to do is to stress out, especially when it shows to your interviewer. Body language is crucial in keeping your cool. Pay attention to the questions your interviewer asks you and be sure to respond in full while maintaining good eye contact. Do not answer immediately, let alone interrupting your interviewer. It is much preferred to take a moment to gather your thoughts and then answer concisely instead of using “um” and “uh.”

7. Follow-Up Afterwards

It is always good to follow up by sending a thank-you note within 24 hours after your interview. But do not send it immediately after because it shows that you made your letter prior to the interview.

And then you hope and wait for the results! The waiting game is always the hardest part after the interview, but it’s something everyone has to go through. If the company offers you the job, that’s great! If not, it’s not the end of the world. You can definitely use that as a stepping stone to help you improve for your next job interview. Work hard and good luck!