A lot of people struggle in job interviews and it’s because they’re focused on the wrong things. Performing well in an interview is about striking a balance between politeness, confidence and assertiveness. These qualities are easy to display when you’re properly prepared. Using these six suggestions will help you shine at your next interview.
1. Spend Time Researching The Company
Knowing a thing or two about a company will only help your chances of getting the job. In interviews for high-level positions, you’ll likely be asked how you perceive the company’s position in its industry. Being able to speak about the company’s advantages and their competitors while adding your unique insights, shows you’re a competent employee. Narrowing your job search to just one or two industries makes it easier for you to be insightful about each company.
2. Clarify What Makes You Valuable To The Company
Don’t just go into the interview hoping they’ll ask you questions and you’ll answer them appropriately. You need to be proactive in positioning yourself as the best candidate for the job. Go into every interview with at least 3 key selling points that you’ll refer to throughout the interview. Every skill or selling point you bring up you need to punctuate with a story about a time you used the skill at work. It’s a good idea to study the job description to see if you can find out which skills the company values the most.
3. Come Prepared With Questions
Even if you don’t actually have any questions, it’s important to make some up to show you’ve done your research. Questions about salary and vacation don’t count and may reflect poorly. You can ask questions about what the ideal candidate looks like to the recruiter or what the best thing working about the company is. The deeper you dive into the research of the company, the more specific questions you’ll be able to come up with about their products and customers. This type of energy and proactivity is essential if you’re looking for a job after a constructive dismissal.
4. Practice Answering Question Confidently
Even if you feel like you know what you’re going to say, there’s a difference between going over it in your head and saying it out loud. Speaking your interview answers out loud will help you sound more natural and help your answers avoid sounding canned. Practicing answering these questions confidently out loud will help you sound natural.
5. Take Responsibility For The Interview
A lot of people don’t sell themselves as much as they should during an interview because they don’t want to be rude. This is only harming your own chances of finding a job. You can still be polite and assertive about speaking about why you’re the best candidate. Don’t wait for the interviewer to ask you about your best qualities. Use the questions they ask you to transition to your 3 key selling points.
6. Pay Attention To The Small Details Of Your Outfit
Your outfit plays a huge role in your body language. Paying attention to the details is a simple but effective way to set yourself apart from other candidates. Take the time to shine your shoes and iron your clothes. Treat everyone you come across in the building as if they control your fate in getting hired. Don’t hesitate to give a firm handshake and confident smile as you enter the room.
