Do you have an interview coming up?
First off, thumbs up. Considering that the average job opening attracts over 250 applications and only 4 to 6 people get invited for an interview, you’ve done well so far.
However, you aren’t there yet. You still need to excel in the interview if you’re to stand any chance of beating other candidates to the job.
To help you make the best preparations, we’re sharing top interview tips and tricks. Keep reading to learn how to ace your interview.
Research the Organization
Before you applied for this job, you probably did some background research on the company. After all, a whopping 69% of job seekers consider things like brand reputation before making an application.
Now that you’ve got the nod for an interview, it’s time to go deeper with your research.
For instance, try to establish how the company conducts its recruitment process. Do candidates go through a multiple-step interview process or they just one shot to impress?
A good way to find this information is to scour through company review to know more about a company’s hiring process.
Understand the Role
During the application process, you no doubt reviewed the job’s description, including qualification requirements and roles and responsibilities.
However, it’s not uncommon for advertised positions to carry generic descriptions.
With this in mind, it’s important to research the role you’re interviewing for and know the specifics. If you know someone (or someone who knows someone) in the company, reach out to them and gather some information on the position’s everyday duties.
Comb Through Your Resume – Again
Your recruiters or interviewers already have your resume. They have combed through it, looking for, among other things, gaps and inconsistencies.
Before showing up for the interview, go through your resume again. If there are inconsistencies, this is not the time to correct. Right now your focus should be on figuring out how to explain them, just in case an interviewer picks them out.
You also need to remember crucial details in your resume without referring to it. Off the top of your head, you should be able to say when you earned your degrees or started on previous jobs.
It’s Not Just About the Actual Interview
A common mistake interviewees make is thinking only the actual interview matters.
In truth, every interaction you have with your potential employer counts.
If you didn’t reply to the email inviting you for an interview, for example, or replied with a bland message like “will be there,” you’ve likely already shot yourself in the foot. If you show up during the interview day looking unbothered – perhaps you decide to plug in your earphones and listen to some music before your turn – you won’t be sending an impressive picture.
In short, treat the interview like a process that starts from the day of your invitation right to your first day on the job – and even longer if the job has a probationary period.
Interview Tips and Tricks to Get You Hired
Interviews make most people nervous.
The best way to get over your nervousness is to prepare yourself adequately. With these interview tips and tricks, you’re now in a better position to transform yourself into a compelling candidate for the job.
May the force be with you and don’t forget to explore our blog for more career tips and insights.
