Top 5 Tips to Nail Your Next Job Interview
As humans, we evolve and change over time, just as jobs do. It’s important to be prepared to handle whatever comes your way, especially when it comes to your career. The prospect of applying for a new job can be daunting, but don’t worry – we’re here to help you succeed with our top five job interview tips!
To stand out in the crowd, you need to follow these crucial recommendations. We’re committed to your success, so take a look below and get ready to nail your next interview!
5. Study Yourself!
This is one of the more important job interview tips. Be ready to answer the “tell me about yourself” question and study your resume. Your resume is your ticket to impressing recruiters and interviewers, so it’s a critical resource for standing out. Make it more relevant to the job by linking each point to the position. Think of defining moments in your past that have molded you into who you are today. Identify the purpose and motivations that drive you. This will enable you to create your 30-second elevator pitch, complete with an intriguing hook.
When perusing the job description, figure out whether the position is in line with what you aspire to. If it doesn’t excite you or pique your curiosity, then it’s probably not a good match. Keep looking, but remember to stay true to yourself and your values.
Adding value to a company is ultimately the goal. Reflect on what unique skills you can bring to the table. Once you have these sorted, your job search will become considerably more comfortable and your vision will become clearer. Best of luck on the job hunt!
4. Have an Updated Resume, LinkedIn and Relevant Cover Letter
If you want to stand out from the crowd, create a resume, LinkedIn profile and a customized cover letter for your potential employer. Make sure your resume and Linkedin profile is recent and has the most relevant jobs posted in relation to the role you are applying for. Have your resume, LinkedIn and cover letter looked over by an extra set of eyes before sending it off to recruiters. Someone else may catch something you may not have. If you have graduated recently, you can add relevant coursework you have taken. Recruiters will take you more seriously if you have zero resume, LinkedIn and cover letter errors.
- Download free resume and cover letter templates on Copy My Resume. If you use Resume Genius, they have a free subscription or a 14 day trial.
- Create a LinkedIn profile for free and have it proofread for an affordable price on Fiverr
- You can integrate bits and pieces of your 30-second elevator pitch in your cover letter, resume and LinkedIn profile but be sure not to give it all away.
Read more resume writing tips here: Top 5 Resume Tips
3. Find a Mentor, Accountability Partner or Someone Who Is an Expert In Your Desired Field
This is another one of the more important job interview tips. To gain knowledge and enhance your chances of acing an interview, join Facebook groups, attend networking events, attend lectures, and listen to career-related podcasts. These resources are usually free, and doing a simple Google search will yield a plethora of relevant information. To further support myself during my university years studying Business Accounting, I joined the Accounting Forum.
Within the Accounting Forum, I found fantastic resources for networking with other accountants, acquiring mentors, learning tips on crafting an appealing resume, optimizing LinkedIn profiles, interacting with recruiters, and effectively preparing for interviews. One invaluable piece of advice I received was to prepare for behavioral questions by thinking of potential answers on the spot.
While such questions may be specific to the accounting field, having a mentor or partner who has gone through the interview process can offer invaluable guidance and share valuable experiences. For practice with behavioral interview questions, visit: [insert weblink]. Remember: a little bit of research and preparation can go a long way toward achieving career success! Behavioral Job Interview Questions
Read more about the best job hunting tips for recent college graduates here: 5 Best Job Hunting Tips for Recent College Grads
2. Shift Your Mindset Into a Positive One and Walk Into Your Interview with Confidence!
Being confident without being arrogate is one of the more important job interview tips. Maintain excellent hygiene, sit up straight, stay alert and make appropriate eye contact while actively listening and presenting yourself impressively! Don’t underestimate your worth, but don’t overdo it either! As your own salesperson, project your best version because that’s precisely what the interviewer is seeking. Remember to market yourself brilliantly – the kind that would make you hire yourself.
- Meditate before your interview to clear your mind. You can download the Calm or Headspace apps to help guide you through this.
- Listen to some upbeat music to get you pumped up and excited about your interview.
- Look at the interview as, “I get to do this interview” rather than, “I have to do this interview.” You were selected from many candidates to get to do this interview, so look at it as one step closer to landing the job and making it to the finish line.
- Tell yourself some uplifting mantras, read some inspirational quotes and be your own hype-man or hype-woman.
- Be true to yourself and as authentic as possible so that you can represent yourself in the best light.
1. Prepare for Your Job Interview By Thoroughly Researching the Company
Prepare for your job interview with thorough research on the company and impress the recruiters by sharing some facts about them during the interview. For example, “I know your company has been successful for over 25 years, achieving ___________ and that aligns with my career goals.”
If you have multiple interviews lined up, consider postponing the most important ones to last in order to gain confidence and practice with the initial interviews. Prepare a list of at least five insightful questions to ask the interviewer, which highlights your keen interest in the role.
Recall to mind that there will come a moment in the interview when the recruiter may ask “Do you have any questions for me?” A negative response could imply lack of interest in the job. Hence, be courageous and ask them questions. You don’t have to ask all five, but be prepared with a list of questions. You can even carry a notebook, take notes during the interview, and jot down your questions, or memorize them so you are fully prepared. Below are a few examples you can use:
- Could you describe where the company aspires to be in the next five years?
- What do you like about working here?
- What is the most challenging aspect of working in this organization?
- Could you give me more insight into the company’s goals and vision?
- How can I progress within the company?
Following these top five job interview tips will boost your confidence and help you deliver your best performance. Keep in mind that you are human, and try not to be too hard on yourself. Positive attitude is key to success. Believe in yourself and achieve your goals!
