Going to interviews is a challenging and nerve-wrecking chore for most people but considering it’s inevitable, everyone should improve their interviewing skills to find the right job and ultimately the right career. Here are your tips to prepare for a job interview:
Study the Company and Industry You are interviewing for
Always expect a company to question your knowledge about the company itself and the industry. Even if it’s clear that you are a newcomer, you still must show that you’ve taken the time and effort to update yourself on the topic rather than being completely unprepared.
Learn More about Your Interviewer
If you know who will be interviewing you look them up on LinkedIn to get an idea about their accomplishments, the positions they have held and generally who they are. This will help you feel more familiar with them when you meet them and it can come in handy as a great ice-breaker.
Know Your Own USPs
Products have their own unique selling points (USPs) and so should you. Once you’ve clarified your USPs to yourself then you can use them throughout the interview and make them part of the conversation. The more aware you are of your strengths the more they will come through to your interviewer.
Arrive Earlier than Expected
Never aim to arrive on time – this simply means that any little hiccup along the way will make you late! Instead aim to be there at least 15 minutes earlier. Best case scenario you make a great impression worst case scenario you arrive on time and avoid making a bad impression.
Use Rapport to Your Advantage
If you are lucky enough to get an interviewer you immediately click with don’t hesitate to be yourself and crack a few jokes along the way. A friendly connection with your potential manager is always a great sign and will definitely have an impact on the interviewer too.
Be Honest
Slightly bending the truth to work in your advantage is a skill, lying on the other hand can harm you in the long term. If there is a task you can’t do or a job you have no experience in, be honest – after all they’ve already seen it on your CV. In the case that you truly are unqualified this will save you from wasting time but in most cases an interviewer can spot your potential and will appreciate your honesty.
Prepare Your Own Questions
Go to a job interview with the attitude of choosing a job rather than asking for one. Remember that they need you as much as you need them, this means while you are convincing them to hire you, they should be convincing you to choose them. Once they’ve asked their questions make sure you ask yours. This way you will not look desperate and be taken a lot more seriously by your potential employers.
BONUS
Don’t Burn Bridges
If you sense the interview is not going your way don’t give up or sell yourself short. End the interview on a positive note, be as pleasant and respectful as you can be and keep the doors open. You never know when you will work with the same person or get a new opportunity to return to the company. It’s always best to keep good connections in your industry.