Make The Most of Your Interview
You got the interview, now how do you make it so that you’re the one they choose?
Written by: Katherine Elliot
You’ve found a job you’re really interested in, applied and received an interview. You’ve researched the company and have done your pre-interview prep, but now what?!
It’s great that you made it to the next step in the job application process, but how do you rock your interview to ensure that you’re the successful candidate?
Here are a few tips to help you make the most out of your interview and create a lasting impression:
- Think of the interview starting from the second you walk into the building. Be friendly and professional to everyone you meet. First impressions matter. Your interviewer may ask the other people you met for a second opinion about you.
- Stay off of your phone. You’ve done all the research you can at this point, just take a few moments to relax before it begins. Look to read something in the waiting room to show your interest or make conversation with the receptionist. Otherwise, just take some deep breaths and wait.
- Have a strong handshake when you meet the interviewer and make eye contact. Nothing is worse than a weak, flimsy shake. A strong handshake and eye contact show confidence.
- It may sound silly but listen to the interview question completely and ask them to repeat if necessary. You don’t want to start answering before the question is done or be thinking too much about what you’re going to say that you miss parts of the question.
- When answering questions speak clearly, use proper language and leave those filler words (“like,” “um,” “etc.,” “and-so-on,” “stuff like that”) for conversations with your BFFs. Always try to relate your answer to skills required for the job or explain experiences that you know will help you be successful in this position. In situational questions, explain the situation and what you did, how you accomplished the task(s), the results and how it is relevant to the current position
- Ask questions at the end of the interview to show your interest in the position and to understand the next steps in the interview process.
Always remember to
be yourself and be professional. For many positions it’s not just about your skills and qualifications, but also about how you fit in with the company. Show your interviewer that you can offer them the full package and you’ll be well on your way to success!
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