10 Tips to Help You Nail That Interview

1. Research, research, research

The Company

Take time before the interview to research your potential employer on their website.  It will help you to understand the company’s history, mission and culture.  Then perform a simple Google search of the company.  Learn about their reputation in the industry.  Take a look at their social media accounts to see what they message to their followers.  Your research can help to ensure that the company is a good fit for you and will often help you to predict some of the questions you might be asked during the interview.

The Interviewer

In addition to researching your potential employer, also do some research on the person with whom you will be interviewing.  LinkedIn is a great place to learn about the interviewers’ career, interests and any connections you might have to that person.  This research will allow you to connect with your interviewer and to ask meaningful questions. It will also allow the interviewer to see that you have viewed their profile, which shows effort on your part. 

2. Review the Job Description and your Resume

Before your interview, review the job description in detail.  Generally, the job description will contain qualifications that your potential employer is looking for in a candidate.  Take notes on how you match up with those qualifications in a bullet point format.  If your experience doesn’t exactly match a qualification, note how your other skills prepare you for the role.  For example, if your potential employer is looking for a candidate with 10 years of experience in the industry and you only have 5, detail how you studied the industry in school, or have read books or attended webinars on the subject.

Also, review your own resume.  It might seem like an unnecessary step, but I have interviewed people who forgot about items listed on their resume.  Look over your job history, education and skills and be prepared to answer questions in detail about each category. 

3. Be Prepared to Answer Questions about Why you Left Previous Employers

Interviewers and recruiters love to ask potential candidates why they left their previous employer.  Your answer can tell the interviewer a lot about you.  First, provide the main reason why you left/or are leaving your employer.  This can include both personal and professional reasons.  Then try to link the reason why you are leaving to the new position.  For example, you were looking for a leadership position at your current employer and there were no leadership positions available.  Now, you are applying for a new position in a leadership capacity.  Or, you have a two-hour commute at your current employer and the new position you are applying for is remote. 

Be honest about why you left/or are leaving your employer, but make sure that your answer remains professional.  An interview is not the time to bash your current or prior manager or employer. 

4. Don’t Over Rehearse

It is important to be prepared for you interview, but don’t over rehearse.  Don’t practice so much that your answers sound like you are reading from a script.  Instead of being in the moment during the interview, you will be trying to remember the right answers to the questions.  This can throw off the entire interview.  Instead, ask a friend to role-play a few questions with you and provide feedback on your answers.  This will help you to be confident the day of the interview.

5. Be Prepared the Day of the Interview

The majority of interviews this day and age are performed virtually.  Before the interview begins, make sure that your space is prepared for an interview.  Make sure that your camera, microphone and speakers are functioning.  Turn on your camera and look at what the interviewer can see.  Is your background full of boxes or children’s toys?  If so, just blur your background.  You want your interviewer to concentrate on you, not your background.   Right before the interview begins, make sure that you pets are in another room and that your partner, children or roommates know not to interrupt you during the interview.  If you are taking an interview during your break at your current employer, make sure to turn off any alerts on your computer that will distract you during the interview.  

6. Arrive Early and Dress Professionally

Whether you are interviewing in person or virtually, make a good impression.  Dress for the position that you want.  Workplaces aren’t as formal as they once were, so a suit likely isn’t necessary, but if you look good, you will feel confident.  Once you are dressed and ready to go, arrive to the interview early.   This will show your interviewer that you are prepared, eager and interested. 

7. Listen to the Questions

As you are easing into the interview and answering questions, make sure that you listen to the question that you are asked.  You will be excited to tell your interviewer all about yourself and might not be paying attention to the question.  Listen to the question and answer that question before moving on to any other tidbits you would like to share with the interviewer.  Also be cognizant of length of your answer.   If you interview is scheduled for thirty minutes, and it takes you ten minutes to answer one question, you likely won’t be able to share everything you would like to with your interviewer. 

8. Be Confident and Sell Yourself

This is your time to project confidence.  Whether you feel confident or not, sit up straight, speak clearly and look your interviewer in the eye.  Be aware of your body language.  Don’t cross your arms or slouch.  Your physical posture can help you feel more confident. 

Sell yourself.  Explain to the interviewer why you are the right choice for the position.  Align your skills to the needs of the company.  It is not bragging; it is confidently showing the interviewer that you know your strengths and that you will excel in the position.

9. Ask Relevant and Insightful Questions

At the end of every interview, you will have the opportunity to ask your interviewer some questions.  Before the interview, come up with one or two questions relevant to the position or employer.  It is important to make sure that the company is the right fit for you, so it is always a good idea to ask about the company culture.   It is also a good idea to ask a question that will allow the interviewer to talk a little bit about themselves.  You could ask them how they got to the position they currently hold.  Or, you could ask my favorite question; What is your favorite on-the-job memory?  This question allows the interviewer to think, smile and tell a story.  You should always end the question portion of the interview asking about the next steps in the hiring process.  This will help to set your expectations as to when you can expect to hear back from the employer. 

10. Follow-Up with a Thank You Message

After the interview, contact the interviewer and thank them for spending time getting to know you.  Express your continued interest in the position and let them know that you are available to answer any additional questions they may have.  It might seem like a small gesture, but it can make a big impact.  If the employer is deciding between you and another candidate, your thank you message might push you across the finish line.