Best Advice to Succeed on a Job Interview
Job interviews are an incredibly important part of the job hiring process. If you mess up on a job interview, you may have to start the job search process all over again. Here are some of our best tips that can help you succeed during your next job interview!
Prepare A Unique Answer for "Tell Me About Yourself"
The first question many employers ask on an interview is “tell me about yourself.” It sounds simple enough, but it can be tough to flesh out your narrative in 30 seconds or less without sounding too rehearsed or boring. This questions is asked for hiring managers to get to know you better, so don’t give them the same old thing every other person has said when they answer this question. Instead, try something like:
I’m originally from [insert your hometown] and recently graduated from [insert your college/university]. I’m really passionate about [insert a unique interest of yours that isn’t usually associated with people in this profession].
Take some time to write out a few good answers for the “tell me about yourself” question, and be sure to make it interesting. Rather than making it a sales pitch, be more personal.
Don't Over-Answer Questions
Some interviewers will ask you questions like “how do you handle conflict?” or “give an example of when you’ve been a leader.” These are great opportunities for employers to get to know you better, but if they don’t feel satisfied of your answer, then they’ll move on to another candidate. Try not to ramble too much when answering these types of questions.
Ask Permission to Take Notes
If the hiring manager asks if you can take notes or provides you with a notepad, then it’s okay to do so as long as they ask first. It could be an indication that they feel like the interview is going well and want to give you something extra by letting you take notes, but it could also just be their preference. Either way, don’t just start taking notes unless they explicitly state that’s okay first!
Don't Be Afraid to Speak Up
Some people worry about speaking up too much during job interviews. However, this shouldn’t be an issue if you’re polite about it. If you have a question for the hiring manager, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask them when it’s appropriate.
Take Things Slow
If you find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed during a job interview, take a deep breath and try to calm down.
Interviewing can be nerve-wracking, but if you go into an interview with some knowledge about common questions and the ability to craft interesting answers, then there’s no reason why you can’t succeed during your next job interview.
Research the Company You Are Interviewing At
Your resume shows that you are qualified, but it is never a guarantee that you will get a job offer. The only way to ensure you get a job offer is by impressing your interviewer during the job interview.
To do this, make sure you research what your potential employer does and who they are as a company. You should know how their business makes money and what their mission statement is. It may even be helpful to talk about the advancement opportunities within the company if asked and find ways in which your experience and skill set would benefit them in reaching those goals.
So remember to make sure that you are dressed appropriately for the interview, do your research on who you will be interviewing with, and what the company does before you go into the interview room. Good luck!
