Congratulations! Your resume impressed, and now you scored an interview. You have only one chance to impress prospective employers.
Successful interviewing is essential in grabbing that dream job you’ve always wanted. People freeze up and tense with the mention of the impending “I” word, but with preparation and research you can have the confidence and handle to go in there and impress your future employer. Here are just a few tips to help you have a seamlessly smooth interview.
Research
The first thing you need to do is research the company you’re interviewing with. Find out as much as you can about the company and the person interviewing you. Researching keeps you up to speed about the company and their history. A lot of questions during the interview deal with your knowledge of the company. Employers expect you to know about them and why you want to work there. If you don’t know what you’re talking about it will show.
Practice Makes Perfect
Go over the typical questions asked during an interview. Most interviewers ask the same set of “getting to know you” questions. Two common questions are, “What’s your biggest strength?” and “What’s your biggest weakness?” Pick something you really do well and state it simply. You don’t want to seem cocky or overconfident by listing out how perfect you are. Some career books tell you to pick another strength and present it as a weakness. Please don’t do this. Using a strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving, and just makes it seem like you’re dodging the question. Talk about a real weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it.
Put Them in the Hot Seat
Remember, they need you just about as much as you need them. Don’t be afraid to ask why this position is open. Toward the end of the interview, when they ask if you have any questions, take the opportunity to find out what the future of the position is, if there is room to grow with the company, how the person interviewing you got where they are. Being vocal shows interest and ambition. Employers are not only looking for someone who can do the job, but also someone who’s genuinely excited and interested in the job.
There are no repeats or second chances when you interview. Being prepared will help you feel calm and give you the confidence to win over any employer.
