It’s a new year and you are ready to reinvent yourself. After applying for a new job with a company you’d really like to work for, the call came that you’ve been selected for an in-person interview. You want to land this job badly.
Even if you have the qualifications for the job, you understand the importance of conducting a great interview. You may have a lot of questions going on inside your mind, including “what do I need to do to ace an interview?” Following these five steps will increase your chances of making a very positive impression.
There is nothing worse than talking badly about a previous employer. Rarely is anything gained and most of the time it reflects badly on the individual spreading the negativity. If things didn’t end well at your previous employer, say you had “creative differences” or “different philosophical viewpoints.” No use going into details about your negative experience.
Most employers assume that if you are bad mouthing a previous employer, you would do the same to them if your employment doesn’t work out. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire; meaning if you were involved with a negative experience previously, you may have had some culpability in making it that way. Keep the negativity out of the interview.
Sure, you want to make a good first impression, but being too talkative isn’t the desired outcome. Say something that will position you as intelligent, interesting and qualified while keeping your comments brief enough to keep your interviewers interested.
Most people try to make up for a quality answer through a lengthy one. As a rule of thumb, spend no more than 30 seconds answering each question.
Look for body language from your interviewers to see if they are getting bored with your responses. If you begin to lose eye contact or if they start fiddling with their pencil or notepad, it’s probably a good idea to finish that thought quickly.
When the interviewers ask a question, be sure to listen intently. You want to ensure you are answering completely and accurately. Listening is becoming something of a lost art and if you can demonstrate that you are a good listener, you will position yourself positively against much of your competition.
There’s no point in trying to be someone you are not because the truth will be exposed if you were to land the job. Unless the job you are applying for is that of a professional actor, make life easier on yourself by being yourself.
Interviewers can easily pick up on someone who is being authentic and who is putting on an act. No one wants a faker and if they sense you are faking it, you probably will not land the position. Believe that you are good enough because, chances are, you are!
Actively interview the company that is interviewing you. Ask questions about their culture, how long other people have been employed, what changes are on the horizon and where they see the company going in the next three to five years. Employers want you to be as interested in them as they are in you.
The interview process is just as important for you as it is for the company. What good does it do if you land the job, but find out that the company or the position isn’t right for you?
There is no need to hide the fact that you are interviewing them. Most employers will appreciate the honesty and respect you for wanting to ensure they are a fit for you. Chances are, they will be more forthcoming with information about the company knowing that you are truly interested in learning more.
As simple as this seems, the majority of candidates do not ask for the job during an interview. Asking for the position shows you are truly interested and committed to wanting to be part of their team.
After a set of interviews provided two candidates in a dead heat, I once hired a candidate simply because she asked for the position. That simple question showed me she really wanted the job and it acted as the tiebreaker between two good candidates.
The candidate didn’t oversell herself, she just expressed a genuine interest in the job and the organization. Overselling gives off an impression of lacking true skills. Be confident in your abilities and project that confidence when answering your interview questions.
Be confident but never desperate. If you come across as desperate, it sets off red flags as to potential problems or lack of skills. Confidently tell them you believe you would - and will - make a great addition to the team while also giving off the impression that you’ll be just fine if you don’t land the job.
When competing with dozens of candidates for one open position, you want to position yourself to succeed in every possible area that you can. Why be good when you can be great?
While some of these points mentioned here are easy to perform, it’s those who actually use them during their interviews that will find the most success. Be calm, smile and appear confident (even if you are petrified internally).
Have a plan prior to your interview and work that plan when you are in front of your potential employers. Want more on this topic? Learn how to find your perfect job.