Ace The Job Interview With These Highly Recommended Tricks
Aside from submitting a resume full of typos, the quickest way to be eliminated from consideration for a new job is making an avoidable interview blunder – like putting your foot in your mouth. Here are some tricks of landing into your dream job:
NervousEven if you’re more nervous than you’ve ever been, no company wants to hire someone who lacks confidence. So, in this case, honesty is not the best policy. Don’t tell your interviewer how nervous are, or were before the interview. Just fake it ’til you make it.
Weaknesses or mistakesNever voluntarily talk about your weaknesses unless they ask you with the standard interview question, ‘What’s your biggest weakness?’ And don’t bring up mistakes you’ve made at work, unless you’re talking about them to show how you’ve made significant improvements.
Money, salary, pay, compensation etc.
Never discuss salary in the early stages of the interview process. Focusing on the salary can raise a red flag with potential employers that you are only there for the money and not for any deeper reasons. More and more, employers are looking for people who align with their mission and values. Negotiations can and should be done after (or at the very end of) the interview phase.
NeedDon’t make the conversation all about your needs. This is the time to talk about their needs and what you can do to help fulfill them. Talking about your needs will flag you as someone who is potentially going to be high maintenance and challenging to work with. And definitely do not say that you really need this job due to your current circumstances. Employers may view desperation as a sign of weakness, and, again, they want employees who are seeking a long-term career, not merely a job.
Perks or benefitsDon’t bring up how much you love some of the company’s perks, such as their policy of having every third Friday off or their free snacks. Again, this will create the image you care more about the benefits than you do about contributing to the employer’s success.
Terrible, horrible, awful, hate etc.You shouldn’t use negative language during your interview — especially when you’re talking about your current or previous boss or employer. Even if the interviewer invites you to, don’t. It’s not classy, and it will make you sound bitter and petty. It also shows that you could badmouth any boss or company in the future — and it could even be a test to see if you will say anything disparaging.
SorrySome people just use ‘I’m sorry’ as a filler phrase, like ‘so,’ or ‘um,’ or they may use it because they think it makes them seem more polite. Others say ‘I’m sorry’ to convey a sense of deference to their superiors and many use a well-placed ‘I’m sorry’ as a preemptive strike to avoid taking responsibility for their actions (‘I’m really sorry but there’s just no way I can answer that question). Whatever the reason, the biggest danger of severely overusing the word is that it can make you look too passive or indecisive — and might eventually create the sense that you lack confidence.
NervousEven if you’re more nervous than you’ve ever been, no company wants to hire someone who lacks confidence. So, in this case, honesty is not the best policy. Don’t tell your interviewer how nervous are, or were before the interview. Just fake it ’til you make it.
Weaknesses or mistakesNever voluntarily talk about your weaknesses unless they ask you with the standard interview question, ‘What’s your biggest weakness?’ And don’t bring up mistakes you’ve made at work, unless you’re talking about them to show how you’ve made significant improvements.
Money, salary, pay, compensation etc.
Never discuss salary in the early stages of the interview process. Focusing on the salary can raise a red flag with potential employers that you are only there for the money and not for any deeper reasons. More and more, employers are looking for people who align with their mission and values. Negotiations can and should be done after (or at the very end of) the interview phase.
NeedDon’t make the conversation all about your needs. This is the time to talk about their needs and what you can do to help fulfill them. Talking about your needs will flag you as someone who is potentially going to be high maintenance and challenging to work with. And definitely do not say that you really need this job due to your current circumstances. Employers may view desperation as a sign of weakness, and, again, they want employees who are seeking a long-term career, not merely a job.
Perks or benefitsDon’t bring up how much you love some of the company’s perks, such as their policy of having every third Friday off or their free snacks. Again, this will create the image you care more about the benefits than you do about contributing to the employer’s success.
Terrible, horrible, awful, hate etc.You shouldn’t use negative language during your interview — especially when you’re talking about your current or previous boss or employer. Even if the interviewer invites you to, don’t. It’s not classy, and it will make you sound bitter and petty. It also shows that you could badmouth any boss or company in the future — and it could even be a test to see if you will say anything disparaging.
SorrySome people just use ‘I’m sorry’ as a filler phrase, like ‘so,’ or ‘um,’ or they may use it because they think it makes them seem more polite. Others say ‘I’m sorry’ to convey a sense of deference to their superiors and many use a well-placed ‘I’m sorry’ as a preemptive strike to avoid taking responsibility for their actions (‘I’m really sorry but there’s just no way I can answer that question). Whatever the reason, the biggest danger of severely overusing the word is that it can make you look too passive or indecisive — and might eventually create the sense that you lack confidence.
Strategies To Shine In Your Dream Job Interview
No matter what your dream job is, the moves you make during the interview will determine your future. Here are some tips that can help.
Why are you really interested in this particular position?
You’re applying for this particular job, not a foot in the door. Instead of simply saying the company’s a great place to work, try to give specific reasons to why you think so. You can start like “Here are the three main reasons I’m interested in this position.” Instead saying “I’ve heard that Company A is a great place to work!”
How are your skills applicable to this particular position?
Often candidates rattle off what’s on their resume a checklist of job titles and skills. This doesn’t answer the question of why you’re applying. Instead, you should try to add what’s not on the resume, and how your skills could help the company.
Do you know enough about the company and position you’re applying for?
It’s not OK to just Google the company and pretend you’ve done your homework to learn about the position. Find out as much as you can not only about the company, but also about the position you’re applying for, the team you’ll be part of, and the hiring manager herself. That includes getting the hiring manager’s name right.
Have you put enough thought and effort into the position you’re applying for?
Hiring manager will always ask the job applicant for the questions he or she has regarding the organization. This is always revealing: it shows how much thought and effort you’ve put into applying for the position, and subtle differences in how you ask the question can have a big impact. Your questions should show that you have a long-term view of the position you’re applying for, and that you’re very success-oriented too.
Can you bring new ideas to the company?
During the job interview, you’ll likely get asked on how to improve the company you’re applying for. It’s a good chance to show you’re a critical thinker and good problem-solver. But remember, if you’re going to criticize the company, be prepared to offer a solution as well. Critiquing work product without offering any ideas for improvement won’t do you any favors.
Are you ready to evaluate the hiring manager, team, and company?
Interviews are a “two-way street,” so it’s a chance for you to also ask the hiring manager about his or her vision for the team. These kinds of questions will give you a good sense of the type of leader you’ll be working for, and they’ll also show the hiring manager that you’re considering the role in a broad, thoughtful way.
If every aspect of your job search process were visible to your mother, would she be proud?
Finally, it’s important to be polite, don’t lie, and other obvious things. For example, if you can’t say your mother would be proud of your job search process, you need to rethink about your entire strategy.
Resource
Why are you really interested in this particular position?
You’re applying for this particular job, not a foot in the door. Instead of simply saying the company’s a great place to work, try to give specific reasons to why you think so. You can start like “Here are the three main reasons I’m interested in this position.” Instead saying “I’ve heard that Company A is a great place to work!”
How are your skills applicable to this particular position?
Often candidates rattle off what’s on their resume a checklist of job titles and skills. This doesn’t answer the question of why you’re applying. Instead, you should try to add what’s not on the resume, and how your skills could help the company.
Do you know enough about the company and position you’re applying for?
It’s not OK to just Google the company and pretend you’ve done your homework to learn about the position. Find out as much as you can not only about the company, but also about the position you’re applying for, the team you’ll be part of, and the hiring manager herself. That includes getting the hiring manager’s name right.
Have you put enough thought and effort into the position you’re applying for?
Hiring manager will always ask the job applicant for the questions he or she has regarding the organization. This is always revealing: it shows how much thought and effort you’ve put into applying for the position, and subtle differences in how you ask the question can have a big impact. Your questions should show that you have a long-term view of the position you’re applying for, and that you’re very success-oriented too.
Can you bring new ideas to the company?
During the job interview, you’ll likely get asked on how to improve the company you’re applying for. It’s a good chance to show you’re a critical thinker and good problem-solver. But remember, if you’re going to criticize the company, be prepared to offer a solution as well. Critiquing work product without offering any ideas for improvement won’t do you any favors.
Are you ready to evaluate the hiring manager, team, and company?
Interviews are a “two-way street,” so it’s a chance for you to also ask the hiring manager about his or her vision for the team. These kinds of questions will give you a good sense of the type of leader you’ll be working for, and they’ll also show the hiring manager that you’re considering the role in a broad, thoughtful way.
If every aspect of your job search process were visible to your mother, would she be proud?
Finally, it’s important to be polite, don’t lie, and other obvious things. For example, if you can’t say your mother would be proud of your job search process, you need to rethink about your entire strategy.
Resource
Before, During And After Interview Tips
Before
Practice: Everyone is aware of the proverb “Practice makes man perfect” so before applying for any interview make sure you have practiced well and in case of under-confidence issue you can anytime conduct mock interview with family and friends. Also, be prepared scintillating with the bullet points that is mentioned in the resume.
Research: Explore the company website and also keep yourself updated about the recent news articles. Company website enlightens us with the work culture, achievements and accolades of the organization. Researching the company implies that you value the time of the interviewer and are also passionate about the opportunity.
Dress Up: It is recommended to wear a professional outfit. Also, if you have to show up for the interview on the casual day of the organization then also you are supposed to look professional as you are not yet the part of the company.
Turn off phone: Switch off your phone before the interview so that it doesn’t intervene between you and the interviewer.
Arrive Early: Showing up late for the interview is not at all the ethical. So be sure you arrive early with few extra copies of resume.
During
Confident Handshake: Handshake is your first expression before the interviewer so it has to be strong and confident. Also, make an eye contact when you shake the interviewer’s hand.
Body Language: Good posture and standing up instead of slouching gives the impression that you are confident. Don’t shake your legs or fidget your hands because it communicates that you are anxious or bored.
Manners: You may have an interview with multiple people. Each time someone new enters, you should stand up, introduce yourself, and shake their hand. When someone leaves the room, stand up, shake their hand and thank them for their time. This is polite and communicates that you are confident and poised.
Ask Questions: Asking questions during an interview is crucial because it shows that you are genuinely interested in the role, the company, and how you can help it to succeed.
After:
Thank Them: At the end of the interview thank them for their time to meet with you and for considering you for the position.
Follow Up (Appropriately): You should follow up after an interview. It shows that you are interested and passionate about the opportunity but be patient. It is really stressful and frustrating not to hear back from a position right away but that doesn’t mean you will start following up twice or thrice a day.
Practice: Everyone is aware of the proverb “Practice makes man perfect” so before applying for any interview make sure you have practiced well and in case of under-confidence issue you can anytime conduct mock interview with family and friends. Also, be prepared scintillating with the bullet points that is mentioned in the resume.
Research: Explore the company website and also keep yourself updated about the recent news articles. Company website enlightens us with the work culture, achievements and accolades of the organization. Researching the company implies that you value the time of the interviewer and are also passionate about the opportunity.
Dress Up: It is recommended to wear a professional outfit. Also, if you have to show up for the interview on the casual day of the organization then also you are supposed to look professional as you are not yet the part of the company.
Turn off phone: Switch off your phone before the interview so that it doesn’t intervene between you and the interviewer.
Arrive Early: Showing up late for the interview is not at all the ethical. So be sure you arrive early with few extra copies of resume.
During
Confident Handshake: Handshake is your first expression before the interviewer so it has to be strong and confident. Also, make an eye contact when you shake the interviewer’s hand.
Body Language: Good posture and standing up instead of slouching gives the impression that you are confident. Don’t shake your legs or fidget your hands because it communicates that you are anxious or bored.
Manners: You may have an interview with multiple people. Each time someone new enters, you should stand up, introduce yourself, and shake their hand. When someone leaves the room, stand up, shake their hand and thank them for their time. This is polite and communicates that you are confident and poised.
Ask Questions: Asking questions during an interview is crucial because it shows that you are genuinely interested in the role, the company, and how you can help it to succeed.
After:
Thank Them: At the end of the interview thank them for their time to meet with you and for considering you for the position.
Follow Up (Appropriately): You should follow up after an interview. It shows that you are interested and passionate about the opportunity but be patient. It is really stressful and frustrating not to hear back from a position right away but that doesn’t mean you will start following up twice or thrice a day.
Ten Most Common Interview Questions
Tell me about yourself
This means: “Give me a broad overview of who you are, professionally speaking, before we dive into specifics.” You should prepare about a one-minute answer that summarizes where you are in your career and what you’re especially good at, with an emphasis on your most recent job. Keep your personal life out of it; your interviewer isn’t asking to hear about your family, hobbies or where you grew up.
What interests you about this job?
Focus on the substance of the role and how it interests you. Don’t talk about benefits, salary, the short commute or anything else unrelated to the day-to-day work you’d be doing, or you’ll signal that you’re not particularly enthusiastic about the work itself. Interviewers want to hire people who have carefully considered whether this is a job they’d be glad to do every day, and that means focusing on the work itself – not what the job can do for you.
Why did you leave your last job?
Don’t discuss conflicts with your manager or co-workers, complain about your work or badmouth employers. Job seekers are commonly advised to say they’re seeking new challenges, but that only works if you’re specific about those new challenges and how this job will provide them in a way your last job didn’t. It’s also fine to cite things like a recent or planned move, financial instability at your organization or other reasons that are true.
Why would you excel at this job?
This is your chance to make a case for why you’d shine in the job – and if you don’t know the answer to that, it’s unlikely your interviewer will figure it out either. Since this gets to the crux of the whole interview, you should have a strong answer prepared that points to your skills and track record of experience and ties those to the needs of the job.
What do you know about our company so far?
Interviewers don’t want you to simply regurgitate facts about the company; they’re probing to see if you have a general sense of what it’s all about. What makes the company different from its competition? What is it known for? Has it been in the news lately? If it looks like you haven’t done this basic research, your interviewer will likely wonder how interested you really are and whether you even understand what the company does.
Tell me about a time when you proved skills in previous organization.
Good interviewers will ask about times you had to exercise the skills required for the job. These may be situations when you had to take initiative, deal with a difficult customer or solve a problem for a client. Prepare for these questions so you’re not struggling to think of real examples. Brainstorm the skills you’ll likely need in the job and what challenges you’ll likely face. Then think about examples from past work that show you can meet those needs. When constructing your answer, discuss the challenge you faced, how you responded and the outcome you achieved.
What would you do in your first 90 days in this position?
Interviewers are looking for answers that reveal how you set goals and solve problems, and whether you’re ambitious without being unrealistic. You should also acknowledge that you’ll need to take time to get to know the team, what’s working and what can be improved before you make any big decisions – but your answer should still get into specifics to a reasonable extent.
What’s most important to you in a new position?
Interviewers want to understand your career goals and whether this job will fulfill them. After all, if you’re looking for a job with lots of public contact and a highly collaborative culture, and this job is mostly solo work, it might not be the right fit for you. It’s in your best interest to be candid and specific when you answer this so you land in a job that aligns with what will make you happiest.
What salary range are you looking for?
Job seekers are almost always asked this question, but they often fail to prepare for it and are caught off guard when it comes up. If you wing your answer, you risk lowballing yourself and ending up with a salary offer below what you might have received otherwise. It’s crucial to research the market rate for the job ahead of time. Don’t let discomfort with talking about money thwart your ability to negotiate well for yourself.
What questions do you have for me?
At the end of every job interview, you’ll likely be asked if you have any questions. At this stage, ask open-ended questions about office culture and those that clarify the role. Also ask about next steps in the hiring process and the employer’s timeline for getting back to you. Avoid questions about benefits and pay; hold those for once you have an offer. Here are some of the best questions you can ask at an interview.
This means: “Give me a broad overview of who you are, professionally speaking, before we dive into specifics.” You should prepare about a one-minute answer that summarizes where you are in your career and what you’re especially good at, with an emphasis on your most recent job. Keep your personal life out of it; your interviewer isn’t asking to hear about your family, hobbies or where you grew up.
What interests you about this job?
Focus on the substance of the role and how it interests you. Don’t talk about benefits, salary, the short commute or anything else unrelated to the day-to-day work you’d be doing, or you’ll signal that you’re not particularly enthusiastic about the work itself. Interviewers want to hire people who have carefully considered whether this is a job they’d be glad to do every day, and that means focusing on the work itself – not what the job can do for you.
Why did you leave your last job?
Don’t discuss conflicts with your manager or co-workers, complain about your work or badmouth employers. Job seekers are commonly advised to say they’re seeking new challenges, but that only works if you’re specific about those new challenges and how this job will provide them in a way your last job didn’t. It’s also fine to cite things like a recent or planned move, financial instability at your organization or other reasons that are true.
Why would you excel at this job?
This is your chance to make a case for why you’d shine in the job – and if you don’t know the answer to that, it’s unlikely your interviewer will figure it out either. Since this gets to the crux of the whole interview, you should have a strong answer prepared that points to your skills and track record of experience and ties those to the needs of the job.
What do you know about our company so far?
Interviewers don’t want you to simply regurgitate facts about the company; they’re probing to see if you have a general sense of what it’s all about. What makes the company different from its competition? What is it known for? Has it been in the news lately? If it looks like you haven’t done this basic research, your interviewer will likely wonder how interested you really are and whether you even understand what the company does.
Tell me about a time when you proved skills in previous organization.
Good interviewers will ask about times you had to exercise the skills required for the job. These may be situations when you had to take initiative, deal with a difficult customer or solve a problem for a client. Prepare for these questions so you’re not struggling to think of real examples. Brainstorm the skills you’ll likely need in the job and what challenges you’ll likely face. Then think about examples from past work that show you can meet those needs. When constructing your answer, discuss the challenge you faced, how you responded and the outcome you achieved.
What would you do in your first 90 days in this position?
Interviewers are looking for answers that reveal how you set goals and solve problems, and whether you’re ambitious without being unrealistic. You should also acknowledge that you’ll need to take time to get to know the team, what’s working and what can be improved before you make any big decisions – but your answer should still get into specifics to a reasonable extent.
What’s most important to you in a new position?
Interviewers want to understand your career goals and whether this job will fulfill them. After all, if you’re looking for a job with lots of public contact and a highly collaborative culture, and this job is mostly solo work, it might not be the right fit for you. It’s in your best interest to be candid and specific when you answer this so you land in a job that aligns with what will make you happiest.
What salary range are you looking for?
Job seekers are almost always asked this question, but they often fail to prepare for it and are caught off guard when it comes up. If you wing your answer, you risk lowballing yourself and ending up with a salary offer below what you might have received otherwise. It’s crucial to research the market rate for the job ahead of time. Don’t let discomfort with talking about money thwart your ability to negotiate well for yourself.
What questions do you have for me?
At the end of every job interview, you’ll likely be asked if you have any questions. At this stage, ask open-ended questions about office culture and those that clarify the role. Also ask about next steps in the hiring process and the employer’s timeline for getting back to you. Avoid questions about benefits and pay; hold those for once you have an offer. Here are some of the best questions you can ask at an interview.
5 Mistakes You Already Make Before Job Interview
Assuming They’ve Researched You
You’ve worked very hard creating a resume that speaks to your accomplishments and you’ve peppered your cover letter with strategies on how you can add value to the company, but that doesn’t mean your interviewer has read most of it or even part of it. We’ve heard numerous reports that employers only spend between 6 and 30 seconds looking at resumes so don’t be surprised if your interviewer pulls out your resume, cover letter, blog posts, or anything else attached to your name right there in your interview.
Rehearsing Run-of-the-mill Questions
It’s all well and good to ask what the typical work week is like, but how far will asking common questions really get you? Show your interest in the company and get down to the nitty-gritty. Research all the company’s channels including website, social media outlets, what is being said within the industry and in the news, and come up with questions that will really impress your interviewer.
You’ve Set a Time Limit
Don’t assume your interview will take thirty minutes or even an hour. You never know what turn the interview is going to take and you may end up getting passed around to a few different people. Unless you have to get back to your current job, don’t assume you’ll be in and out within a certain timeframe. We’ve all got things to do but concentrating on the time you’ll spend in the interview is crucial to your success. The last thing you want is to be distracted knowing you have to run to another appointment while still in your first one.
Not Bringing Enough Materials
Imagine this situation: You meet with your interviewer, hand over your resume and all your extra materials (cover letter, business card, writing samples, etc.) and watch as he briefly gives the pile a glance and then places it in his desk. He then stands at the end of the interview and continues to pass you on to another person you didn’t know you’d be meeting with that day. You then enter her office empty handed. Not good. This goes back to interview basics. Always bring extra copies of your resume, business cards, or any other important materials to interviews.
Not Dressing for Company Culture
If you know a company’s dress code is business casual, don’t show up to your interview wearing a conservative dress or suit. You want to show the employer that you’re not only qualified to do the job, but that you can also fit in with the company culture. If you aren’t sure about a company’s dress code, email your interviewer or ask the person who called you to set up the interview.
You’ve worked very hard creating a resume that speaks to your accomplishments and you’ve peppered your cover letter with strategies on how you can add value to the company, but that doesn’t mean your interviewer has read most of it or even part of it. We’ve heard numerous reports that employers only spend between 6 and 30 seconds looking at resumes so don’t be surprised if your interviewer pulls out your resume, cover letter, blog posts, or anything else attached to your name right there in your interview.
Rehearsing Run-of-the-mill Questions
It’s all well and good to ask what the typical work week is like, but how far will asking common questions really get you? Show your interest in the company and get down to the nitty-gritty. Research all the company’s channels including website, social media outlets, what is being said within the industry and in the news, and come up with questions that will really impress your interviewer.
You’ve Set a Time Limit
Don’t assume your interview will take thirty minutes or even an hour. You never know what turn the interview is going to take and you may end up getting passed around to a few different people. Unless you have to get back to your current job, don’t assume you’ll be in and out within a certain timeframe. We’ve all got things to do but concentrating on the time you’ll spend in the interview is crucial to your success. The last thing you want is to be distracted knowing you have to run to another appointment while still in your first one.
Not Bringing Enough Materials
Imagine this situation: You meet with your interviewer, hand over your resume and all your extra materials (cover letter, business card, writing samples, etc.) and watch as he briefly gives the pile a glance and then places it in his desk. He then stands at the end of the interview and continues to pass you on to another person you didn’t know you’d be meeting with that day. You then enter her office empty handed. Not good. This goes back to interview basics. Always bring extra copies of your resume, business cards, or any other important materials to interviews.
Not Dressing for Company Culture
If you know a company’s dress code is business casual, don’t show up to your interview wearing a conservative dress or suit. You want to show the employer that you’re not only qualified to do the job, but that you can also fit in with the company culture. If you aren’t sure about a company’s dress code, email your interviewer or ask the person who called you to set up the interview.