You applied for your dream job and received the anticipated phone call or email requesting an interview…now what? What can you do that will set you apart from all of the other interviewees to get the job?!
The recruiters at TAG HR interview dozens of people every day. We’ve seen our fair share of the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to interviews. I sat down with a few recruiters to compile these tips to help you nail your next job interview!
Hit the Books
I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to do your research about the company you’re interviewing with. The question of “why do you want to work for X” will come up and you cannot possibly give a winning answer without knowing about the company. Is there a certain aspect about the company that you find compelling? Has it always been a dream of yours to be involved with a certain technology they work with? Is it their commitment to giving back that inspires you? What is it that makes you passionate about becoming a member of the team?
You don’t want to get stuck on this question because you know nothing about the company. You’ll come across as uninterested in the company/position and more interested in your next paycheck.
The Early Bird Catches the Worm
It’s just as the saying goes, “the early bird catches the worm”. You don’t want to be late for your interview – this will give the wrong first impression about who you are. You want to ensure you arrive early, but not too early – aim to be 10 to 15 minutes early.. If you’re driving make sure you know your route, know the parking situation and allow time for traffic and construction. If you arrive at the interview location too early you can use the time to do more research or calm yourself down by sitting in your car and doing something you find enjoyable. If you take public transportation make sure you know your route and schedule, including alternate options in case of cancellations or delays.
The worst thing you can is be a “no show”. If you’re running late for some unforeseen circumstance, call the interviewee and explain your situation. Let them know what time you will be there and be open to rescheduling in case the interviewer is unable to wait for you.
Confidence and Preparation are Key!
Confidence is your best weapon in a job interview. Sit straight, make eye contact, smile and be confident in your abilities – leave no room for the interviewer to doubt that you are the best person for the job. Preparation for the interview will increase your confidence. Do your research about the company, bring extra copies of your résumé and know the details of the position you are interviewing for – this will help you formulate your responses throughout the interview.
Remember, there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance and you do not want to cross that line. The interviewer is likely looking for someone that possesses the required experience and skills but is still mouldable and trainable. If you are overly confident you may come off seeming like you are unwilling to adapt your approach to fit the company’s model.
Honesty is your Best Quality
When you’re discussing your past experience, be honest. It’s never a good idea to embellish your skills and experience on your résumé since you will likely be caught in the lie during your interview or worse after you’ve been hired and are unable to deliver. If you don’t have the exact experience they’re looking for but possess similar/related experience you can talk about that in your interview and relate it back to the position at hand.
It’s inevitable that the question about your strengths and weaknesses will come up at some point during the interview. Your best bet is to answer these honestly and not with a cookie-cutter response. Don’t try to say that your weakness is that you “work too hard”, hiring managers see right through this type of answer. Try to come up with a real weakness and then put a positive spin on it, for example, you could say that your weakness is that you’re a perfectionist. It may seem like strength but in reality perfectionism could be seen as a time-waster since you’ll likely take longer than expected to complete a project – the hiring manager will see this as a positive weakness rather than a “cop out” answer.
Think Before you Speak
It is imperative that you think about your response before delivering your answer. Answering a question too quickly seems rehearsed and robotic. When the hiring manager asks you a question give a brief pause to formulate a response that includes an example of how you have done X. You also want to ensure you are speaking slowly, clearly and audibly. The last thing you want is for the interviewer to ask you to repeat yourself because you speak so quickly and unclearly that they couldn’t understand a word you said. Interviewers appreciate genuine, unrehearsed answers so don’t worry about memorizing generic, pre-scripted answers – you won’t be doing yourself any favours.
Show Appreciation
Thank your interviewer for taking time out of their busy day to meet with you and send a thank you email when you get home/to work. Your email is a chance to show your appreciation, demonstrate your eagerness to work for their company and reiterate why you are the best person for the job.