Whether you are a seasoned vet or freshmen in college, we all have to undergo the interview process to land a job. It is not the most joyful experience as you may feel like you are being judged—because you are. Hiring managers want to know all they can about a candidate before they decide if they (you) are right for the job. That means they will be judging you. The best way to handle being judged is to be confident. Here are four tips to help you do just that and have a perfect interview.
Dress for Success
You have heard the adage, but it is true. You have to dress for success or dress for the job you want. What you wear will be the first thing hiring managers notice about you. Be sure to wear a nice button-down shirt and slacks or a button down shirt and a pencil skirt. You want to be sure that. what you are wearing, communicates professionalism.
Research the Position/Company
You always want to sound very thoughtful in interviews. You want to give the impression that you are serious about the position with the amount of knowledge you have researched about the company. That means researching the company, like on what principals were they founded? What have they accomplished recently? What kind of people do they seem to recruit and hire? The more knowledge you have about the company or the position you are interviewing for, the bigger the impression you leave on the hiring manager. Lots of people can dress nice, but not many look into recent philanthropic efforts put forth by the company.
Come Prepared with Questions
Though your research on the company should be as thorough as possible, you still want to ask questions. But ask intelligent questions that reveal your curiosity. You also want to give off the idea that the company is also trying to sell itself to you– which they are. So, ask them really tough questions like: Why is this position open? What’s the most common reason people leave this company? These questions will both impress the hiring manager and keep them on their toes. You will come across as a candidate who has options and will not just take whatever job falls in your lap, making you well-remembered when it comes time to make a decision.
Practice
If you are serious about the position you are interviewing for, then practice answering common interview questions either alone or with someone you trust. The most difficult question to answer might be: where do you see yourself in five years, or tell me about yourself. So, come up with a really solid 30-second answer to this question and practice it, so you seem confident when it is time for the real thing. Look for feedback from someone you trust like a family member, mentor, or former employee (if you’re still in good standing.) Be careful not to over practice. You don’t want to sound unnatural or like a robot during the actual interview. Have a good understanding of what you might say, then allow for ad-libbing or a spurt of inspiration.
Interviews are hard no matter how many you’ve had or how long you’ve been in the working world. However, confidence is key. Consider the tips above to help create confidence in yourself before your interview, giving you the best chance at landing the job of your dreams.
