Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but they don't have to be with a few helpful tips and tricks. Having interviewed hundreds of people myself, I have seen a few things and I know a few things from first-hand experience. And most importantly, I know what your employer is looking for and how to impress them.
It might seem like it, but it is not actually that hard to impress in an interview. You just have to put yourself in their shoes. What do they want to hear? (that's honest of course) Far too often I have seen people make very small mistakes that cost them the job. That doesn't have to be you.
With this job interview advice, you can easily nail your interview!
1. Arrive Prepared
When you show up, you should definitely be early, but not too early that it's inconvenient for them and they feel like they are keeping you waiting. Walk in 5 minutes early. If you get there too early, sit in your car and hang out. You don't want to inconvenience them.
Make sure to prep your resume and have it printed out. They might already have it, but it will show you are thinking ahead. In addition to your resume, if you show up with references printed out, that is a great sign. It lets your potential employer know you are prepared, on top of it, and that previous employers have great things to say about you. In the first 10 seconds, I would be impressed
2. First Impressions are EVERYTHING
Being on time, being prepared, having a presentable outfit, and giving a firm handshake sell your potential employer in the first 10 seconds. Where we work, if they are late, they are immediately a no. If they can't even show up to the appointment in a presentable manner, it is immediately a no.
Punctuality and a firm handshake might seem old-fashioned, but, for me, they make or break a deal. It says a lot about your respect for the person interviewing you when and how you show up. A weak handshake doesn't instill confidence. I want to know that anyone I hire will deliver a firm handshake to any client of mine.
3. KNOW What Job YOU Want
Surprisingly enough, I have run into so many people who don't actually know what they want to do. And while you might still be figuring it out, don't let the interviewer know that!
You need to know what it is YOU want. A job interview is twofold. Selling yourself and the employer selling the job. If/when they ask you what it is you want, you better have a good answer.
Too often when I am in an interview, I ask what it is the person is looking for whether it be in their job or work environment and they have no idea. YOU should be selling what you want and why you want this position. Have your answers prepared ahead of time.
Also, make sure that it IS what you want. Make sure your goals align with what they want or both of you will end up miserable. If you like a strict schedule and predictability don't go for a job with a startup company or a CEO who never has an exact agenda. There are people that like that level of randomity, and if you don't find something else.
4. Ask for a Working Interview
Why ask for a working interview? A working interview has so many benefits. We like to think of it as "dating before you get married." You want to make sure you like the employer and the working environment, and they want to make sure that you can do what you say you can.
This gives you an opportunity to see what the job is really going to be like and the actual things that you will end up doing for work. Your potential boss will be able to see how it is to work with you as well. This will ensure job security down the line because both you and them know what they are getting without walking into it blindly and it not working out.
Every employer has gotten the person who says they can do everything and ends up not being able to do anything and most people have had the experience of starting a job that didn't turn out to be how they thought at all.
5. Don't be TOO Honest- Real Advice
Honesty is good, especially to make sure you are really the right fit for the position. However, a number of candidates tell me WAYYY too much about their life that I never needed to know. It is good to give them an idea of who you are, but we don't need the whole life story. It's always good to give your honest opinions and how you operate but too much can be a bad thing.
6. Answer When They Reach out
Far too frequently, candidates take days and days to answer when I am reaching out to get in touch. This can happen before or after the interview. If someone takes too long to answer, I don't want them because they are not eager enough and it isn't a good sign. I want someone willing and motivated who wants the job as much as I want the company to succeed.
7. Be Yourself
At the end of the day, you want to be authentic to who you really are. A job is at least 50% of your life and you are going to be with these people every single day. You are going to want to be yourself and not continuously put a guard up when you are at work every day.
It's like a relationship, if they don't like you for who you are, they don't deserve you. And you will find someone who will. There is a job, work environment, boss, and colleagues for every type of person. You just have to be willing to stick it out until you find the one that's right for you.
