No matter how many job interviews you may have been to, sitting in front of a potential employer and convincing them that they should hire you can still be pretty nerve-racking. So here are some tips that will help you to be as prepared as possible before the interview, cool as a cucumber during the interview and proactive afterwards to ensure you land that job!
Before
Do your research. Get to know the company. Find out what they are all about and what they stand for. They will be impressed by how much time and effort you have put into understanding their business.
Prepare some basic answers. We all get nervous in interviews, it's a given. So, have a think about some questions you may get asked (e.g. "why do you want to work for us?" "Tell me a bit about yourself?" "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"), and jot down some responses. It will help you to be fully prepared and confident in what you're going to say. Using the STAR method will ensure you answer questions fully and make an excellent impression - find out more about this below.
Jot down any questions you may have in advance. It's easy to get caught up in the moment and forget to ask all the questions you had about the job! So, why not jot them down beforehand and take them to the interview with you? That way, you won't be left wondering!
During
First impressions matter. Show up on time, smile, make eye contact, and maintain good posture throughout. It may seem small, but can make all the difference.
Don't feel pressured to answer immediately. Listen to the question, take a moment to think about your response and then answer. Sometimes we are too quick to rush to an answer and it doesn't come out the way we intended!
After
Be proactive. Thank them for their time and ask what the next steps will be.
Follow-up. If you haven't heard from them within say 3-4 business days after the interview, call up to find out how it's all going. Show them that you're still interested in the job.
