Your resume grabbed the attention of a recruiter and you breezed through the phone interview with HR. Now comes the most daunting task—making a positive impression during the in-person interview so that you can get that coveted job offer.
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, to say the least. What if they ask you about something you have no experience with? What if you freeze up? Or what if you accidentally answer a question with an anecdote that makes them doubt your ability to do your job?
Preparation is the key to boosting your confidence level so that you feel confident and ready to nail any job interview that may come your way. Here are our top tips on how you can shine during your in-person interview.
Research The Company Ahead of Time
“Why do you want to work for our company?” At this point, it’s a question that all job hunters should expect. Even so, many people still struggle with answering this question. A couple of days before the interview, take some time to browse the company’s website, read relevant news articles about them, or check out positive employee feedback on Glassdoor. From there, think about the things that stand out to you—maybe an emphasis on collaboration or innovative projects the company might have worked on. From there, come up with a few sentences that summarize why you think the company is cool and why you would want to be a part of it.
Practice STAR Answers To Common Interview Questions
Have you ever started answering an interview question only to realize three minutes in that you’re just rambling endlessly without a point? Prevent that type of embarrassing situation from happening by practicing the STAR method, which is an acronym for Situation, Tasks, Action, and Results. You know that interviewers will likely ask common questions such as “Talk about a time you used creative thinking to solve a problem” or “Describe a time when you showed leadership on your team.” Jot down some of these questions on an index card and then prepare a short answer for each of them by using this method. By doing so, you can have a clear, concise answer for these or similar questions that give the context your interviewers need to understand your role in the story.
Determine How You’ll Get To The Interview Ahead of Time
Knowing where your interview is and how long it is going to take to get there is essential for ensuring that you make it to the interview in an appropriate amount of time. There’s nothing worse than barely making it in time only to be red in the face and flustered from sprinting your way there! Use Google Maps or your phone’s GPS to figure out what the commute will look like around the time of your interview, and be sure to clarify with your recruiter if you’ll need to find your own parking if you plan to drive. Aim to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before the interview so you’ll have time to relax, drink a glass of water, and prepare for the interview to come.
Get Familiar With Your Resume
Your resume is a summation of all of your skills and experiences and currently all that your potential boss and coworkers know about you ahead of the interview. Make sure you review all of your experiences and talking points so there are no surprises if someone asks you to go into more detail about a role or assignment you were in in the past. There’s nothing more embarrassing than having to ask for clarification on something that is supposed to be your area of expertise!
Come Prepared With Questions
You already know how every job interview ends: “Do you have any questions for us?” Your answer, every time, should be yes! Having questions about the company and your potential role not only shows preparedness and forethought on your part but is also your final chance to let them convince you that their company is a place that you want to work at for the foreseeable future. If you’re stumped on what to ask, some good starting points are to ask about the company culture or whether they have an emphasis on career development. Just remember, now is not the time to ask about vacation time or other benefits! Save those questions for HR if you get an offer.
Preparation can make a world of difference before an interview. By practicing early and doing your research, you can wow your interviewers and land your dream role.