Interviewing

14 Interview Tips to Help Smoothly Navigate Your Interviews

Marissa Bergen

Freelance Writer, Blogger, & Musician


So, you worked hard to create a great resume and send it out to the right people. Now you got a call back. One of the employers wants to meet you and the job sounds great. 

You pat yourself on the back for a second before breaking out in a cold sweat because you realize that the interview comes next. What are you going to say? How are you going to act? What are you going to wear? 

Well, never fear. This article will give you interview tips that will help you land that job. 

Research the Company in Advance

One of the best interview tips is to never go for a job interview without knowing a little bit about the company. On one level, your research will let the interviewer know that you took some time to familiarize yourself with the firm. 

Interview Tip- Research the Company in Advance
Interview Tip- Research the Company in Advance

Beyond that, it will help you explain how your skills can help them grow. For example, let’s say you look at the company’s product page and know you can improve the layout to make it more impressive and boost sales. This is something you can bring up during a job interview. 

Dress for Success

To avoid feeling rushed, have your job interview attire picked out the night before. It’s not necessary to wear a suit or a formal dress for every interview. Going this route may make you appear overdressed in some circumstances. 

Instead, review the website online to get the company vibe. Then take the typical wardrobe up a notch. For example, if the job calls for casual attire, wear a nice shirt and a pair of slacks. 

Be Punctual

If you have ever reviewed interview tips, then you know that being late can have disastrous results. Know how long it will take you to get to the interview. Then add an extra 15 to 30 minutes to your commute to account for tie-ups, getting lost, etc. 

That way you can be sure you will be there on time. 

Make a Great First Impression

Interview Tip: 12 DON’Ts that will ruin your first impression

Some say that interviewers make their mind up about job applicants within the first five minutes of the interview. Therefore, this interview tip is all about what you should do to make a great first impression. 

Being on time and being properly groomed will help. Follow up with confident body language and a warm handshake. Call the interviewer by name. If you don’t know his or her name, then ask so you can forge a personal connection during the interview. 

Cinch it will a killer opening statement like “I’m really excited about the prospect of working for your company.”

Tell Them Why You Want the Job

Once you’ve set the scene for how you can be an asset to the company, then you should also tell the interviewer why you want the job. 

A company will want to hire someone who wants to work for them. They know that a worker that’s excited to join the team will be loyal and productive. Points to bring up could include anything from how the company unlocks your passion to the fact that you align with the company culture. 

Prepare for the Interviewer’s Concerns

When you prepare for your job interview, you should be aware of the concerns the employer may have. You may not want to bring them up yourself, but you should know that they may come up in the line of questioning.

For instance, if you don’t have a lot of experience in the industry, you may be asked a question like “Why should we hire you when there are other, more qualified applicants out there?”

If this type of inquiry comes up, job interview tips dictate that you should mention the skills you have that make you qualified for the job. You could also take another angle by mentioning a unique experience you have that could boost your competency.  

Think of Questions to Ask the Interviewer

At the end of the interview, the interviewer may ask you if you have any questions concerning employment. If you don’t come up with questions, they may not think you are that interested in the position. Therefore, it’s a good idea to prepare some in advance. 

Here are a few that are typical for many jobs. 

  • What do you base your advancement criteria on? 
  • What characteristics do you most like to see develop in the people you hire?
  • What issues can I help you solve if I’m brought onboard?

Practice Makes Perfect

Some interviews might throw you for a loop. This interview tip is all about doing all you can to make sure you are prepared. In general, you will find a few questions that are repeatedly asked in interviews. When you are asked these questions, make sure you are prepared with a good answer. 

Interview tips
Go over your interview questions with a friend

While you can think of answers in your head, it may be best to practice them out loud in a mirror. Or better yet, do a mock run through with a friend. 

While speaking with your friend, ask them what interviewing tips they have for you. Everyone’s applied for a job at some point. You never know what words of wisdom they may have to offer. 

Bring Your Resume and Remember What’s on There

It’s likely the interviewer has received a lot of resumes and interviewed a lot of applicants. He or she can access your resume from when you originally sent it online, but it will be easier for them if they have a printed version on hand to review during the interview. 

Make sure you are prepared by having a copy of your resume available. Ideally, it should be encased in a protective sleeve. If you don’t have your resume available, it may paint you as being unprepared or not forward-thinking.

The recommended practice is to tailor your resume for the job you’re applying for. Therefore, you may have given different resumes out to different employers. If you don’t remember the details of your resume, it could work against you.

Since interviewers will ask you questions based on the resume you provided them, our interview tip is to make sure you have thoroughly reviewed the proper resume. You never want to be asked a question based on your experience and find yourself unable to recall the details of your position.

Get Personal, But Not Too Personal

The interviewer will probably devote at least one question to finding something out about you as a person. This is a chance for you to shine, but if you get too personal, it can work against you. 

For instance, no one wants to know that you play video games for three hours a day, unless of course you’re applying for a video game company. 

What they might want to know is your status, such as whether you’re a student, parent, etc. They will also want to find out about your ambitions and passions. You can discuss personal interests that are relevant to the position as well as your goals for the future. 

Be Positive in Your Answers

During the interview, you may be asked a question like, what did you like least about your last job. This is a tough one because you won’t want to come off as someone who has negative opinions of those you had professional relationships with.  

A good answer may be something like, “There wasn’t enough room for advancement.” This will show that you are looking for a job that will allow you to grow and shine. 

Act Respectfully

It’s in your best interest to follow common interview tips and act respectfully. Never cut the interviewer off when they are talking to you. Turn off your phone before the interview so it won’t be a distraction. And never… I do mean never…. answer your phone in the middle of an interview. 

Be polite, maintain the appropriate amount of eye contact, and always say please and thank you. 

Close on a Positive Note

Just like you want to make a good first impression, you also want to leave the interviewer with something positive to remember you by. Close the interview by reminding them that you’d really like the job. Thank them for their time and consideration and let them know that you hope to hear from them soon. 

Follow Up

Interview Tip- Email Follow Up Template
Follow-up interview sample

Our interview tips aren’t only about successfully getting you through the interview. They are also about what to do after your interview. Once you get home, send an email to the interviewer thanking them again for their time and expressing interest in the job. This will let them know you are proactive and excited about the idea of working for their company. 

If you don’t hear anything back after a few days, you may follow up again to find out if you are still being considered. Persistence is a good thing, but don’t be overly persistent. If they encourage you to write again, continue to do so. However, if you don’t get an answer or if you feel as if the interest is not there, you’re best off moving on. 

But don’t get discouraged. There are plenty of jobs out there. You’re sure to find the right fit eventually. 

Conclusion

A job interview can be stressful. But if you take these interview tips to heart by looking neat, being respectful and putting your best foot forward, you’re sure to find the job that’s right for you.

Goodluck at your next interview and Happy Job Searching! 

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