How to Nail Your Interview

I fully believe that the interview is the hardest part of the job application process.

It is incredibly nerve racking to sit in front of a stranger and simply answer questions while the whole time, their purpose in being there is to literally judge you.

A lot of people end up botching the interview, not because they weren’t qualified, but because they couldn’t handle the stress of being judged by the interviewer. If you aren’t confident and instead of seeing it as an opportunity to succeed, see it as an opportunity to blow, then it becomes very easy to get too focused on what you are saying and miss the point of the question you are actually answering. This has consumed my being the last couple of months but there is definitely pay off at the end of the journey! I interviewed for an amazing opportunity at a great company but it wasnt easy. In fact, it was the longest process from beginning to end with this company. I didnt hear back from anyone until 3 weeks later… #nevergiveuphope

I want to share some tips to helping you prepare for your next job intervew that helped me along the way.

First Impressions Count

I’ve only had one job in my career where the attire was business professional and it was a summer internship. All of my other jobs the attire was pretty casual. Even though this has been the case I have always worn business professional to every interview. I actually have my “interview” dress that I’ve worn to every job interview I’ve ever had. Even though the company’s dress may be casual it gives off the impression that you care and again are putting your best foot forward. Do a little pampering, because looking your best helps you feel your best. If that means you need a facial, haircut, razor shave, or even a new interview outfit, then by all means do it! Feeling good about yourself will boost your confidence—and I probably don’t have to tell you that confidence is key to landing your dream job!!

Know Your Stuff

It is very easy to tell when someone has no clue about the company they are applying for. I suggest researching everything you can find out about the company. Check all their social platforms, read any articles you can find, pretend you are trying to stalk an ex-boyfriend. The more you know, the better! This will also help you decide if you’ll be a good fit for them as well. Before your interview, get a list of the people you’re meeting with from the company. Then, learn more about them—including what type of behavior might intrigue them or turn them off. Finally, prep some questions that are specific to each interviewer: Ask for details about her focus at the business, discuss current events on her specialty, or bring up a common interest you know he or she has outside the office.

Don’t talk bad about your previous company or former colleagues

You, of all people, should know this by now: Word travels fast. You should be well-versed in the idea that whatever you say to one person may not stay with them alone. So even if your previous company was embroiled in a public, corporate scandal, there’s a better way to talk about your experiences than bashing everyone you worked with. Briefly address the situation, but also talk about what set you apart from those involved.

Pretend you’re starting the job tomorrow

Impressing an interviewer is not all about how much trigonometry or calculus you know or how much experience you have, but how much effort you put into preparing for the interview. Your resume proves your qualified, the interview shows them if you are just trying to get a job to get a job or if you really want and are invested in the job. Most interviewers will ask you questions about how you would handle this type of situation or what are your strengths and weaknesses. Act like you already work for the company and use the knowledge you have already learned about the company as examples. Put yourself in the position you are applying for and show the company why you would be an asset for them. If you expect these types of questions and prepare answers for them ahead of time, answering them will be no problem. When you prepare to interview them as well, your interviewer will leave remembering you, which could get you one step closer to landing your dream job.

Prep For the Interview Questions

You can easily find lists of common interview questions but don’t prepare by writing out your entire answer; instead, jot down a few notes or bullet points and keep them on hand for the interview itself. You’ll ensure you cover the bases without reading from a script. Even if you’re a well-oiled interviewing machine, it’s essential to spend time thinking carefully about what skills, accomplishments, and interview answers will resonate with your interviewers most. Your management abilities? Your creativity? The examples you share will probably be slightly different everywhere you interview. Don’t just think about how you’ll answer certain questions; practice looking in the mirror and answering them out loud. This prep work will help you clarify your thoughts and make you much more comfortable during the interview.

Be Yourself

The first key is to avoid over-preparing. If you’re ready to go with dozens of canned responses in your head, you’ll run the risk of reciting them like a robot. While it’s a good idea to have a general idea of how you’d answer specific questions, there’s no need to memorize a script. Give yourself some flexibility so you can follow the flow of the conversation. Job interviews are nerve-wracking and your uneasy feelings are usually enough to inspire you to take on a totally different identity—one that you’re confident will land you the job. But remember, holding back who you are or being dishonest about what you want out of your career won’t do you any favors in your job hunt. So take a deep breath and remind yourself that as anxiety-inducing as it might seem—a job interview is really just a conversation. And the most engaging and memorable conversations, they happen when you’re being yourself.