You’ve come across a job listing that you know you’re a perfect fit for, but before you can start shopping for new office decor, you’ll have to make a good impression in your job interview. You’ll be competing against other qualified job candidates for the position, so it’s important to make sure that you stand out. There are a lot of details that are considered by recruiters during an interview. Most of them are almost impossible to perceive. That being said, knowing exactly how to accept a job offer will make you stand out among other candidates. Here are a few tips that will help you shine in your next job interview.
Do your research
Before walking into your interview, you should be pretty familiar with the company that you’re interviewing for. Be sure to spend some time on the company website, reading through the “About Us” page as well as any information regarding their mission or vision statement. This will give you an indication of how the company likes to present itself and what its executive team values. If you’re not already very familiar with the company’s industry, make sure to read up on that as well.
Don’t stop there! It’s important that you understand the position you’re interviewing for as well as the duties and responsibilities. Many hiring managers will often ask what stood out to you in the job listing or what experience you’ve had that fits the job description, so be sure to have a good understanding of the position prior to your interview. If there are any questions you have relating to the role, it’s perfectly fine to bring them up in the interview for clarity.
Dress for success
Before you say a single word to the interviewer, you’ve already made an impression based on how you’re dressed. It’s important to dress in a manner that is professionally appropriate for the position you’re applying for. Plan out what you’re going to wear in advance as this will allow you to focus all of your energy on the interview itself. This also gives you enough time to make sure that you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing and that everything fits properly. Be sure your clothes are free of stains, wrinkles, and pet hair.
If this is your first professional job or your professional wardrobe is lacking, be sure to invest in a few business professional pieces such as dress pants, blouses, and good shoes. Online thrift stores, like thredUP, are a great option for building your professional wardrobe as they offer high-quality secondhand clothes at affordable prices. This allows you to easily find clothes that fit your style from the comfort of your own home!
Come prepared with thoughtful questions
At some point in the interview, the hiring manager may invite you to ask questions of your own. Having no questions to ask can create a bad impression and give off the vibe that you’re not interested in the role. This is one of the many reasons why it’s important to do your research. Keep in mind that it’s perfectly fine to ask simple questions like, “What traits are you most hoping to see in the ideal candidate?” “What are the most important aspects of this job?” Check out this helpful article for more inspiration on which questions you should ask in your interview.
Get a good night’s sleep
It’s essential that you get a good night’s sleep the night before an interview. When you’re well rested, you’re more alert and focused. This is especially important as it’ll allow you to “think on your feet” in a job interview. Hiring managers will often deliberately throw job candidates a curveball to see how they react.
You may be asked a surprising question, to give a presentation, solve a problem, or even demonstrate your job skills. Whatever happens, it’s important to remember that the purpose of these tactics are to learn about you and how you react to stressors and surprises. Sleep deprivation can increase feelings of stress or anxiety, which certainly won’t be helpful going into a job interview and facing these unexpected situations.
Of course, it can be hard to sleep the night before an interview because you’re anxious. If you’re having trouble falling asleep, try doing a relaxing activity like meditation, yoga, reading, or even doodling. Whatever you do, try to keep your mind off of the interview as overthinking it is most likely what’s causing you to not be able to fall asleep.
Show off your accomplishments
Many experts recommend putting together a portfolio highlighting your work. While it will vary depending on your profession and achievements, your portfolio may include items such as press clippings about you or your projects, awards you’ve won, and events where you were a presenter or speaker. You should also be prepared to talk about what you’ve achieved in your career. It’s a standard interview technique to ask candidates to discuss their accomplishments. If you aren’t used to talking about your own accomplishments or feel uncomfortable “bragging”, try role playing with a friend or even in the mirror. Rehearse your achievements a few times until you feel comfortable enough talking about them. Remember, this is your time to shine and show how you can be a valuable asset to the company you’re interviewing for!
Be yourself
Job interviews can be intimidating, but it’s important to be yourself. One of the biggest mistakes candidates make in interviews is to come off as emotionless or stiff. This usually results from not wanting to say or do the wrong thing or create a bad impression. Rather than working too hard to make a good impression, it’s important that you let your true personality shine through. Hiring managers need to see who you really are in order to determine whether or not the role is a good fit for you. If it’s not a good fit, you might not be as happy in the job as you thought you’d be. Interviews play a big role in learning and growing as a professional, so it’s okay if you come out of an interview and realize that you might not be as good of a fit for the role or company as you thought you were when you first applied.
