Get the Job: Essential Interview Tips

Have you been successful at securing interviews, but can’t seem to seal the deal? It’s a common issue. Job interviews can be unusual situations if you have not interviewed in a while. Although many people do naturally shine in interviews, there are others who need a little practice to hone their skills. Rest assured that time and effort are all you need to become a master at job interviews. ​Here are a few tips on how to impress your job interviewer to get the job. 
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1. Clean your social media presence. Over 90% of employers check social media platforms of interview candidates. Go through your Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and other accounts. Delete anything that might seem unsavory to a potential employer.

• Be aware that recent court rulings give employers the right to ask you to log into social media accounts and allow them to poke around your account. Setting the security preferences isn’t enough. Get it all out of there.  

2.  Be prepared for “Tell me about yourself.” Have your story ready to go. Avoid talking about your education and job history. Your interviewer can already see that information. Tell your basic story, focusing on the attributes that would make you valuable to their company. Keep it interesting and under two minutes.  

• Show that you’re a real person who can make real contributions to the company in order to stand out from the competition. 

3.  Be on time. Even being one minute late for an interview is one minute too many. By being late, you give the impression that you don’t care, don’t have control over your time, or don’t respect the time of others. Any lateness can destroy your opportunity.  

• On the other hand, it looks ridiculous if you show up 45 minutes early. Ten minutes early is perfect. Plan for the worst and try to be 15 minutes early. You can always wait down the street until the appropriate time.

​4. Know your weaknesses. The second most common interview question is “What are your weaknesses?” Avoid cliché answers like, “I try too hard” or “I care too much.” Give an honest answer and follow up with the solution you’ve implemented.
 

• For example - “I can struggle with staying organized, but I’ve developed several habits and systems that greatly increase my organizational skills. For example, I create a to-do list the night before and prioritize my tasks for the day.”

5. Get plenty of practice. There are many books and websites with the most common interview questions. Practice answering them aloud. Record your answers and listen to them. How do you sound? Are your answers concise and professional? Do any of your responses send the wrong message or raise additional questions?  
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• More practice will result in a more comfortable interview and will help you get past the tough interview questions. 

6. Video record your practice sessions. After you have your responses down pat, it’s time to work on your body language. Do a little research on effective body language and give it your best shot. Record your practice sessions and review your mannerisms and physicality. Are you presenting yourself as a confident and competent future employee?  

• The perfect verbal responses will fall flat if your body language is incongruent. Some experts believe your body language one of the most important factors who is hired and who is not. 

7. Know the company. Do your research to learn more about the company’s primary products, services and competitors. You may even find out through your research that you’d rather work somewhere else! You’re also likely to be asked what you know about the company. Be prepared with a knowledgeable answer.

8. Dress appropriately. A suit and tie are a safe bet for men 97% of the time. Women can’t go wrong with corresponding attire. The key is to look clean, neat, and professional. Ensure that your clothes fit properly. Even the finest clothes look frumpy if poorly fitted.

Job interviews can be stressful. You need or want the job, and the interview is often the final stage in the process. There’s a lot riding on that conversation! Job interview skills can be learned by anyone willing to put in the effort. Become an expert at the job interview process and get the job.
 
To learn more about how to ace an interview schedule a call today to speak with one of our career experts today!
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(P.S. Tired of spinning your wheels with your career? If you're ready to turn your resume into a hard-hitting marketing tool then try our FREE Resume Critique service today!)
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