It’s no secret that job interviews can be intimidating, and when you don’t have a clue how to prepare for the big day, it’s hard to stay confident. Here are four helpful hints that will prepare you for your interview and help you land the job.
1. Enlist a brutally honest friend.
Print out a copy of your resume and give it to one of the frankest people you know. Ask him or her to circle grammatical errors and awkward language with a red pen. Be open to constructive criticism and make whatever changes are necessary. For bonus points, repeat this process two more times with other people. It never hurts to have an extra set of eyes to look things over.
2. Think like a politician.
Politicians have to be careful about what they say. The media can pounce on an inappropriate remark and ruin reputations overnight. With so much at stake, it’s no wonder they take rehearsal so seriously and carefully consider what is said. While preparing for a debate, a presidential candidate might ask a staff member to make a list of the most difficult questions that could come up during the discussion. This gives them the opportunity to practice before they have to respond publicly. Do likewise. Make a list of the toughest questions that an employer may ask you. Rehearse your answers until they’re just right.
With that in mind, speak about your past work experiences in a positive way. Don’t feel bad if you’ve made mistakes. That’s the only way to learn and grow. Turn stories about failure into stories about valuable life lessons that helped you become a better person.
3. Do your homework.
If you really want the job, you better be willing to do some research about the company. Take some time to visit the company’s website and learn about it. Search for an “about” section on the website and make some notes about the following things:
• Are there any interesting facts or figures you could bring up during the interview? (Hint: they will be impressed by your thoughtfulness).
• Can you find an opportunity to use the company’s own lingo to describe how well you could perform the job? (Hint: look for their mission statement).
• Does the site contain biographical information about the person interviewing you? (Hint: Look for common interests and casually bring them up if you get the chance).
When you know about the company you’re interviewing with, employers see that you really are interested in the job and have considered how you would fit in at that company. Plus, you will feel more confident in your ability to “wow” the person sitting across the table.
4. Smile.
With all the pressure, you might be tempted to take yourself too seriously in a job interview. Lighten up. Your qualifications are only half of the story. Employers want to hire people who will be pleasant to work with.
What would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments.
