Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially if you feel you have a lot riding on it. If you are an interview virgin, it may feel overwhelming and awkward to be put on the spot and prove your worth to some stranger who may or may not intimidate the crap out of you. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Follow these tips and you’ll land your dream job in no time. Here’s how to prepare for a job interview the RIGHT way.
Dress for the job you want not the job you have. Make sure that your clothes are ironed and clean. It is always better to be dressed up than dressed down. If the company is business casual, wear something that is a little more professional than that. I mean, don’t wear a prom dress…but I think you get the idea.
Make sure to bring multiple resumes, have copies of your references, and knowledge about the company. Know who the company is, what their goals are, where they’ve been and where they’re going.
Be inquisitive, interested, engaged in the conversation. If you come off as disinterested you can kiss the position goodbye. Passion is one of the keys to success, and happy people are successful people. If you come off as someone who doesn’t care then it is game over.
Be prepared to address your weaknesses and how you overcome them. No one wants to hear the tired answers like, “I care too much” or “I am too detail oriented.” Do not use this question as an opportunity to pat yourself on the back, but rather show that while you are human, you are able to address issues you may have and work on them. For example, if you used to be incredibly disorganized, explain how you have worked to remedy the situation.
Look online at websites like Glassdoor and Indeed to gain insights about the interview style. Also look at company reviews, but take everything with a grain of salt and come with an open mind. Looking at reviews about company culture can speak to negative things that you wouldn’t hear from the employer themselves.
Research the people you are meeting with via Linkedin in order to ask specific questions about their backgrounds and understand where they came from or why they chose this specific company. This is how to prepare for a job interview.
Do not write out interview answers and memorize them. If you come off as too rehearsed, rigid, and robotic then you won’t seem charismatic. You’ll seem too calculated, meaning that you are unable to go with the flow and handle unplanned situations.
Be mindful of your body language during the interview. Make sure to shake hands, keep eye contact, sit up straight, and smile. Not sure you have to practice this one, but if you are someone who has a hard time looking into people’s eyes etc. then use a mirror or do a practice interview with a family member/friend.
Make sure to ask questions that you want to know about the company and role. Remember that as much as they are interviewing you, you’re also interviewing them. You don’t want to accept a job that you will be miserable in after 10 months.
Before the interview, don’t stress yourself out. You know your own story, you have lived it, so who better to tell it than you! In your own words! Speak about what you’re excited about, passionate about, and can bring to the company.
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