Do you want to get hired for that new job? Follow these tips to learn how to ace your job interview and stand out from the crowd. It’s not as difficult as you think and if you follow these things, you’ll be sure to make a great impression.
1. Research the company you are interviewing for.
One of the best ways to ace your job interview is to study the current events of the company. Knowing what the current happenings of the company are key to being able to ask pertinent questions. Doing so will also show the interviewer that you have done your homework, and also have a genuine interest in the company.
2. Study your resume and know it well.
As a candidate, you should know your resume like the back of your hand. In any job interview, anything on your resume is at the interviewer’s disposal. Implementing this strategy will definitely help you ace your job interview. It is your responsibility to convince the interviewer that you can come in and do the job. Speaking intelligently about each of your previous positions is one of the best ways to ace your job interview every single time.
3. Know the job description of the position you are applying for.
After getting an interview, you need to study the job description to truly understand what the interviewer is looking for. If the description calls for attentiveness to detail, you will want to tailor the discussion accordingly. Knowing this, you can navigate the interview and discuss examples from previous jobs that will exemplify this trait. Do this for all significant traits or qualities that you identify in the job description. This is one of the most prominent ways to ace your job interview.
4. Display your skills with concrete examples.
The interviewer wants to know you are hard-working, but it will be hard for him or her to believe you unless you prove it. Tell a story of how you were hard-working and instead of just saying it. Don’t leave it up to the imagination of the interviewer to figure out how. Rather, explain in detail and give an example to illustrate it.
5. Prepare an interview tool kit.
Being prepared for your interview is the best way to ace it. Putting together a “job interview kit” is a great job interview strategy. Not only will you want to have ample copies of your resume in your kit, but you can also include other items you will need like directions to the office, a bottle of water, eye drops, pens, and a notepad. Put the copies of your resume in a neat folder and keep the other items in a small bag in your car.
6. Build rapport.
You know the saying, “There’s never a second chance to make a first impression?” That holds very true in the case of job interviews. If you want to ace your job interview, you are going to know how to build rapport. You will create a great setting for your interview by greeting the interviewer with a firm handshake and a pleasant smile. You can also start off by asking how he or she is doing and or make a comment about the weather.
7. Make eye contact.
Eye contact is one of the strongest forms of nonverbal communication and must if you want to ace your job interview. Eye contact can show whether a person is strong or weak. Direct eye contact communicates two key qualities employers look for in candidates – confidence and high self-esteem.
It is very important to make eye contact when you greet your interviewer and shake his or her hand. Throughout the interview, make a point to have direct eye contact in order to create a connection and exude confidence. This tip alone with greatly help you ace your job interview.
8. Body language
Body language is also a huge form of nonverbal communication. It will communicate whether you are confident, relaxed, nervous, or unsure of yourself. In order to ace your job interview, you must give off positive energy with your body language. Sit up straight and don’t slouch your back. Show that you are alert and listening carefully to everything your interviewer in saying.
9. Be yourself.
No matter how badly you want the job, if you aren’t a good match, you aren’t a good match. Never try to be what you “think” the job requires. Let your true self shine through and you’ll send off the positive energy you’ll need to ace your job interview. If you aren’t being true to yourself, the interviewer will sense your lack of authenticity right away.
10. Actually, make that a smart question
Introduce your question with a personal bit of information and elegantly kill two birds with one stone: “I taught kids coding in summer camp. Would my role enable me to be involved in projects that give back to the community?”
11. Know when to ask for a time-out
If you don’t know the answer to a question or you feel yourself panicking a little, take a deep breath and ask confidently and calmly if you can get back to the question later. Avoid rambling on and on and don’t let any panic show. It’s much better if you build up your confidence with some other (easier) questions and then return to this tougher one later. (Who knows, your interviewer might forget to ask it in the end anyway!) Word of warning though: Don’t rely on this too much and only skip questions if absolutely necessary; asking to skip a question too many times could make you seem unprepared.
If you don’t know the answer to a question or you feel yourself panicking a little, take a deep breath and ask confidently and calmly if you can get back to the question later. Avoid rambling on and on and don’t let any panic show. It’s much better if you build up your confidence with some other (easier) questions and then return to this tougher one later. (Who knows, your interviewer might forget to ask it in the end anyway!) Word of warning though: Don’t rely on this too much and only skip questions if absolutely necessary; asking to skip a question too many times could make you seem unprepared.
12. Prepare for some brain-teasers
If you were a kitchen tool, which one would you be and why? These questions don’t always come up, but if they do, try to be relaxed and confident when answering them. They’re there to test you on your critical thinking skills and how well you think on your feet. Make sure to highlight your personality with your answer and make your answers as fun and interesting as you can (without being inappropriate, of course.) And what about that kitchen tool then? Consider an answer like this: I’m a can opener. Even though it’s not the first tool that comes to mind in the kitchen, it can be crucial for every course of the meal.
If you were a kitchen tool, which one would you be and why? These questions don’t always come up, but if they do, try to be relaxed and confident when answering them. They’re there to test you on your critical thinking skills and how well you think on your feet. Make sure to highlight your personality with your answer and make your answers as fun and interesting as you can (without being inappropriate, of course.) And what about that kitchen tool then? Consider an answer like this: I’m a can opener. Even though it’s not the first tool that comes to mind in the kitchen, it can be crucial for every course of the meal.
13. Follow up quickly.
Immediately after the interview, send a handwritten thank-you note. A handwritten note is the best because it is more personal. If you don’t have the mailing address of the interview, either get it or send an e-mail. Simply thank the interviewer for their time to meet with you. What’s most important though is that you get the note into the mail. Interviewers know exactly who sent them a note and who didn’t.
Now you have a list of things to do so you can ace your job interview. If you understand all of the strategies, you’ll be on your way to success in no time!
Good luck! We’re keeping our fingers crossed for you!