Job interviews can be daunting, but with the right approach and mindset, you can increase your chances of landing the job. These top tips can support you through the job interview process, nail a job interview and land the job:
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Advocate for yourself:
An interview is the perfect opportunity to tell your story. Share how you gained your experience and what successes you achieved in your previous roles. Use quantifiable results to showcase your competencies and overall contribution to the success of the business. Come prepared with metrics that can strengthen your claims, such as the number of calls made, or products manufactured.
Be Confident Yet Grounded:
It’s essential to sound confident while discussing your successes and experiences. Focus on the company’s overall goals, vision, and how your prior roles contributed to their success in those areas. Your ability to identify the support you had towards a common goal show that you work well with others and can see the big picture of what a company is trying to accomplish. Additionally, prepare a few examples of areas where you can improve to avoid getting stuck on the spot, as this is a common interview question.
Answer the question:
While it’s important to let your personality shine through during an interview, it’s equally important to stay focused on the questions being asked. It’s common to get nervous and ramble on, but this can lead you to miss the point of the question entirely. To avoid this, take a moment to repeat the question to yourself before answering. This will help you to stay on track and provide a substantive and relevant response that truly answers what the interviewer wants to know about you.
Do your homework:
Showing up to an interview prepared can help take some of the pressure off because you will have a better understanding of the company and how your experience could translate into their needs. Look up the company’s website, review LinkedIn profiles of the people you will meet with and read their recent news or press releases. Having a few relevant questions for your interviewer about recent achievements or future of the business show your interest in the role and your investment in the company’s long-term trajectory.
Be Human:
It’s easy to get caught up in presenting the perfect professional persona during an interview, but it’s valuable to remember to be yourself. Try to find common ground with your interviewer and build a rapport. Ask about their interests, family, or hobbies if appropriate, and share a little about yourself—bonus points if you get the interviewer to laugh. This can help to break the ice and show that you’re not just a qualified candidate, but also a personable and likable one. People want to work with others they like, so don’t be afraid to show your human side during the interview.
You want to make a lasting impression and prove that you’re the best candidate for the job. By advocating for yourself, knowing about the company and being yourself, you can nail this job interview. This is your time to shine and tell your story about why you are the best person for this role.
Author: Aubrey Stark is a franchise owner at Express Employment Professionals.
