Interviewing for a job can be stressful and nerve-wracking. You want to make the best impression possible and showcase why you are the ideal candidate. While there is no foolproof way to ace an interview, following some key tips can help you be as prepared and confident as possible. In this article, we will look at 5 interview tips that can set you up for success. From researching the role and company to asking thoughtful questions, read on for strategies to help you land the job.
Research the Role and Company Thoroughly
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for an interview is conduct thorough research on the role and company. This serves several purposes. First, it will help you understand the day-to-day responsibilities you would have in the position. This way, you can speak knowledgeably about the duties involved and why you would excel at them during the interview.
Second, researching the company gives you key insights into their mission, values, goals, and culture. You can use this information to craft thoughtful responses about why you want to work there specifically and how you would be a great cultural fit. Mentioning specifics about the company’s recent projects or accomplishments also demonstrates you took initiative to learn about them rather than just going through the motions.
Here are some tips for effective role and company research:
- Carefully read the job description – Make note of the required and preferred qualifications, core responsibilities, and skills needed.
- Visit the company website – Get familiar with their products/services, mission statement, biographies of leaders, recent news, etc.
- Search for the company on Google News – Look for any recent press, new projects, company growth, etc.
- Check out their social media – See what they share about culture, achievements, events, etc.
- Search LinkedIn – Connect with employees at the company to learn insider perspectives.
- Leverage your network – Reach out to contacts who may have experience with the company.
Thorough research takes time, but it is one of the best investments you can make. You will feel much more confident and less caught off guard by interview questions. It also allows you to ask the interviewer thoughtful, targeted questions demonstrating your initiative.
Practice Answering Common Interview Questions
In addition to researching the role and company, take time to practice answering commonly asked interview questions. While you won’t know exactly what you’ll be asked, preparing for likely questions will get you comfortable talking about your background.
Some common questions include:
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
- Why do you want this job?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Why should we hire you over other candidates?
- What did you like or dislike about your previous job?
- How do you handle stress or pressure?
- How do you prioritize when handling multiple tasks or projects?
Practice answering these types of common questions out loud. It may feel awkward at first, but it really makes a difference in getting comfortable promoting yourself. Prepare a 2-3 minute “elevator pitch” summary about your background. Be ready to speak about your resume highlights, accomplishments, motivations, strengths, and personality fit.
Having go-to stories or examples you can draw on to illustrate things like leadership, conflict resolution, problem solving and other key competencies is extremely helpful. You want your answers to be concise yet compelling. Practice until your delivery sounds natural, not rehearsed.
Preparing answers to likely interview questions will prevent you from feeling caught off guard. You’ll have a sense of what you want to convey, rather than hoping you can come up with good responses on the spot. Practice is key for a polished, proactive approach.
Prepare Questions to Ask the Interviewer
Most interviews wrap up with the interviewer asking if you have any questions for them. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate your engagement, curiosity and interest in the company.
With that said, you should absolutely prepare some questions in advance rather than just winging it. Asking thoughtful, well-researched questions shows initiative and enthusiasm.
What types of questions should you have ready? Consider asking:
- How would you describe the company culture here?
- What qualities does your ideal candidate for this role have?
- What are some of the biggest projects or initiatives happening in the next 6 months?
- What are the most immediate priorities or needs you want someone to address when they start?
- How do you see this role evolving in the next few years?
- What types of professional development or training opportunities are available?
- What do you enjoy most about working for this company?
Make sure to avoid questions about things like salary, vacation time, work hours, etc. until you have received a job offer. Keep the focus on learning more about the role and company for now.
Prepare at least 5-7 questions to choose from based on the interview flow. This demonstrates you are truly interested, not just reciting generic questions. Bonus points if you can incorporate details learned in your company research.
Dress Professionally and Conservatively
They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but your appearance is one of the first impressions an interviewer will make. Dressing professionally and conservatively sends the message you are serious about the role and making a good impression.
Consider the following tips when deciding what to wear:
- Opt for a matching business suit in a dark, neutral color like black, navy or charcoal gray. Make sure it is pressed and clean.
- Wear a white or light colored button down shirt. Iron out any wrinkles.
- A simple tie with a basic pattern or solid color is a good choice for men.
- Closed toe dress shoes that are freshly shined are best for both genders.
- Minimal jewelry and no distracting accessories.
- Neat, professional hairstyle and trimmed nails.
- Light makeup and no heavily scented perfume or cologne.
The key is to choose attire that is clean, pressed, classic and understated. You don’t want your clothes to distract in any way from the content of your interview responses. Present yourself as someone who is responsible, detail-oriented and conservative.
You also want to fit in with the company culture, so do a little research on their dress code. Start on the formal side for the interview and you can always scale down if you get the job. As the saying goes, better overdressed than underdressed!
Arrive Early
Your punctuality also makes an important first impression. Strive to arrive at the interview location at least 10-15 minutes early. This gives you a few minutes to get settled in and relaxed before the scheduled time.
Keep in mind that unexpected delays can happen en route. Give yourself extra buffer time if traveling far, dealing with traffic or using public transportation. The last thing you want is to be stressed or flustered rushing in late.
When you arrive early, use the extra minutes to observe the work environment and culture. Are people collaborating? Is the general mood casual or buttoned up? Making small observations can give you valuable context.
Resist the urge to pull out your phone while you wait. Focus on taking some deep breaths and reviewing your notes to get into a calm, centered mindset. With this advance preparation, you’ll be ready to confidently greet the interviewer and make a professional first impression.
Send a Follow Up Thank You
Stand out from other applicants by sending a prompt follow up thank you message or email after the interview. Thank the interviewer for their time, reiterate your interest in the role, and mention something specific discussed that resonated with you.
This serves multiple purposes:
- It’s simply polite and shows appreciation for their time.
- It keeps your name top of mind after the interview.
- It gives you an opportunity to reinforce why you are a great fit.
- For email, it provides a reason to include your contact information in the signature.
Ideally, try to send the follow up within 24 hours while the interview is still fresh. A thoughtful, personalized thank you can help you stand out and be remembered. Just be sure to proofread carefully for any typos or errors!
Here is an example template you can modify:
Dear [Interviewer Name],
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about the [position] role at [company]. It was wonderful learning more about the position and [company’s] impressive [recent achievement or project].
After our conversation, I am even more enthusiastic about the possibility of joining your team. I really enjoyed hearing about [something specific the interviewer mentioned]. My background in [relevant experience] would enable me to contribute to [core responsibility of role] and support [company’s mission].
Thank you again for the thoughtful interview. I am very interested in joining [company] and look forward to hearing from you regarding your hiring decision. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide.
Best regards,
[Your name]
A follow up message shows initiative, care, and interest in joining the company. Taking this extra step can boost your candidacy and help clinch the offer.
Conclusion
Preparing for a job interview takes work – researching, practicing, strategic planning of attire and timing. But taking the time to implement these five tips can truly pay off by setting you up for success.
Thoroughly researching the role and company helps you speak knowledgeably and ask thoughtful questions. Practicing your responses keeps you from feeling caught off guard. Dressing professionally makes the right first impression. Arriving early gives you time to get settled and observe the environment. Sending a prompt thank you note reiterates your interest and appreciation.
While interviews can create anxiety, careful preparation breeds confidence. Follow these suggestions, trust in your abilities, and you will be ready to ace that interview and land the job! Best of luck with your next steps.
