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How to nail your job interview

I is for Interview: How to Nail Your Job Interview

How to nail your job interview

After spending hours filtering through job postings and applying for dozens of jobs, you (finally) land a job interview. It’s been a while since you’ve last interviewed. You’re a little nervous. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Interviewing is stressful and it can be overwhelming to prepare yourself for success. If you want to nail your interview, you must do these six things.

Do Your Homework

One of the best ways to nail your job interview is to do your homework beforehand. You must take the time to do some research. Head over to the employer’s website and do some reading. Check out the company’s ‘About’ page, review their mission and vision statements, research any recent press releases or product launches.

Doing your due diligence will demonstrate to the interviewers that you are genuinely interested in the company and excited about the position.

Know the Job Description

Know the job description like the back of your hand. You need to understand exactly what the hiring manager is looking for. Tailor your answers in the interview accordingly and have in your mind detailed examples of how your experience mirrors what the employer is looking for. This will help illustrate that you are a great fit for the position and will be able to make an immediate impact on the organization.

Body Language

Nonverbal communication is essential if you want to really wow your interviewers. Direct eye contact with each speaker not only shows that you’re engaged in the conversation but also communicates confidence and high self-esteem.

If you want to nail your interview, you must demonstrate positive body language. Have good posture, nod and smile as the interviewers are speaking to you, and show that you are attentive. Slouching in your chair and tapping your foot gives off the impression that you’re nervous and it can even be distracting.

Arrive 15 Minutes Before

Never walk through the doors more than 15 minutes before your interview. This is key. Walking in too early may cause the interviewers to rush. And you never want them to feel rushed right before your interview. That will affect the entire mood of the interview, and likely, will hurt your chances of getting a callback.

It’s important to be punctual. If you are the person who likes to show up early, wait in your car. This is a perfect opportunity to review your resume and the job description one last time!

Ask Questions

You need to ask thought-provoking questions. It’s certainly okay to ask questions throughout the interview, but at the end of your interview, you’ll typically be asked if you have any final questions. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression!

The best way to phrase a question is with a statement. For example, you can ask something like, “I really enjoyed speaking with you and learning more about this position. What are the next steps in the interviewing process?” If you really want the job – show it! Asking this question shows that you are serious about the position and are ready to commit to the company.

And always remember, you are interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you. Ask questions to give yourself a better understanding of the company culture, the makeup of the team, and the responsibilities of the position. Don’t be afraid to tell them you like what you hear!

Follow Up

After your job interview, you MUST send a thank you email to your interviewers. If possible, send the thank you message within an hour of your interview. At the very least, it needs to be sent within 24 hours after your interview.

Use this opportunity to quickly affirm to the hiring manager that you’re excited about the position. Remind them the value you will bring to the position and why you are a good fit. Make sure you send a thank you to each interviewer and reflect on something they said in the interview.

Just be sure to keep it professional and brief!

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