Interviews are extremely nerve-racking. It feels like we are auditioning our entire lives for a person we don't know. As if first impressions weren't awkward enough, we also fear the potential rejection.
The good news is that interviews don't have to be so scary.
When it comes to interviews, the key is to be confident, prepared, and optimistic throughout the entire process. Rather than worrying about whether or not you will get the position, it is more effective to focus on specific techniques you can use to make a good impression.
I’d like to share eight interview tips that will help you get your next job offer.
1. Be prepared
Planning the little details the night before helps eliminate the stress that comes from deciding what to wear or wondering when you should leave. Each decision we make uses important mental capacity. The morning of the interview should be a calm process of reviewing your potential responses. Here are some things you can do the night before your interview to allow for a stress-free morning.
Map out the route to the interview location. You will want to know if these are busy streets so you can avoid traffic.
Prepare your outfit.
Print out copies of your resume.
Test your technology (if the interview is virtual). Make sure that your webcam and speakers are working effectively.
3. Treat everyone in the office with respect
I once heard a story about a qualified candidate who had a great interview but was blatantly rude to the office receptionist. This alone prevented the candidate from getting the job.
It is important to be authentically nice to everyone you meet in the office. You never know who is watching you during the interview process or who has a say in the final hiring decision.
4. Research
Interviewers are trying to determine if you are a cultural fit for the organization. You should demonstrate how your behavior and performance are in line with the company's culture.
Take time to research the company. Look at their mission statement, core values, and relevant news articles. After your research, write out stories about times where you exemplified these values. Take the time to rehearse and memorize these stories; these stories will comprise your responses to the interview questions.
If the company prizes innovation, do you have personal projects where you innovated? If your company takes calculated risks, do you have a story to share about a time you took a chance and it paid off?
5. Rehearse
Most behavioral-based interviews ask the same questions. The candidate is asked about their strengths, weaknesses, and previous experience.
To prepare for this, look up common interview questions online and write out an answer to these questions. You may not be asked the exact questions during your interview, but that is OK. Take the answer that you rehearsed and adapt it to the question you were asked.
Being able to tell a coherent story about your experience makes you look polished, prepared, and articulate.
6. Turn your weaknesses into opportunities for growth
Most interviews ask you to explain a difficulty that you have experienced or a professional weakness. They are testing for self-awareness and the capacity to develop the gaps in your skill sets. You must explain how you are trying to learn from your weakness or what you have learned from your failures.
Example: "In the past, I have received feedback that I focus too much on details and end up delaying my deliverables. I have been using this opportunity to develop my ability to turn in high-quality work in a timely fashion. Now, I regularly communicate my progress to my manager and stakeholders to ensure the quality and progress are in line with expectations."
7. Ask insightful questions
At the end of each interview, there is a time where the candidate can ask questions to the interviewer. By asking insightful questions you appear like a thoughtful person. Try to remember the interviewer's responses to your questions, this will help you write your followup email (Tip #8).
Here are the 5 insightful interview questions you can ask at the end of the interview.
What was the most challenging point in your career and what did you learn from that experience?
What skills are becoming more valuable in the current economy?
How does the company concentrate on employee development?
What changes would you make if you were the CEO of the company?
Do you have a mentor that influenced your career? What did you learn from them?
8. Send a follow-up email
You want to send an email to the interviewer 24-48 hours after the interview. The follow-up note should contain the following 3 important components.
Say, "Thank You".
Example: "I want to thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday. It is an honor to have made it this far in the interview process."
Explain why you are excited about the opportunity.
Example: "I am excited by the prospect of working for a company that prioritizes innovation, customer service, and employee development."
Include an insightful thought about your conversation with the interviewer.
Example: "I really appreciate your insight about the importance of young professionals being comfortable with failure. When we enter the workforce, we want to prove our capabilities so much that we forget that it's OK to take big risks for the sake of growth. While failure may hurt initially, it will ultimately prove beneficial in the long-run."
Conclusion
By following these 8 tips, you will improve your chances of having a successful interview and getting the job offer. The key is to be prepared, be confident, and be optimistic. Even if you don't get receive an offer after an interview, that is OK. Interviewing is a skill that you can improve with practice.
You don't need that consolation though, because you're going to kick ass at your next interview.
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