Statistics show that you only have 7 seconds to make a good first impression. Have you ever started off a job interview on the wrong foot? Are you scared of making the wrong first impression? How can you be confident when you start the interview? Keep reading to learn how to prepare for your next job interview.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
Preparation is key, you have heard this a million times but it continues to be true. The person that is prepared is also the person that will likely come prepared to do their job each day at work. Being late to the interview is a potential indication to your employers that you may show up late to work regularly as well, which is not what they are paying you to do or expecting you to do. Being prepared also allows you not to feel rushed or needing to speak on things that you don’t know about just to fill air time.
Research
How many people work for the company? What is turnover like? How do others describe the company culture? Researching as much as you can about the company is important because you will want to familiarize yourself with who you will be working for. Knowing who the competition is and their current place in the market may not seem important but it is information that the other candidates may not have looked up either.
Prepare Questions For Them
This is a frequently used piece of advice when it comes to interviews. The last part of the interview typically comes down to asking them questions after your questioning is over. This is important because it shows your interest in the role and how well you have been listening throughout the process. This is the time for your research to shine and challenge them with questions that they have not answered in the process thus far. Asking about certain situations or growth potential in the role can show that you were thinking deeply about the position and not just the current role but also a future with the company.
Get To Know The Role
What will your daily life look like? What are your responsibilities? How can you move up to higher positions in the future? Is there growth potential within the company? Learning as much as you can about the role BEFORE the interview can help you determine if you could see yourself actually doing it. This will be helpful during the interview as well because you could discuss how you are looking forward to setting appointments with clients or designing new email marketing campaigns. This is reassuring to someone who is hiring because they won’t have to explain the details of the role to you if you are hired for it.
Answer Why You Are The Best Fit
This may be an interview question they give you. If it is not, it is important to answer it at some point in the process of the interview. Think of what you bring to the table. Is your work ethic second to none? Are you always early? Do you have a record of perfect attendance? Are you great at negotiating? Whatever it is that sets you apart from others, make sure they know what it is and how it can be of value to their company. You may not have the experience or the numbers that others do but being able to accurately communicate how you will fit into the role will impress the people hiring and could affect their decision as a whole.
Dress To Impress
In the world of working at home, work fashion has gone out the window in some places. Whether your interview is in person or on your laptop, it is critical to dress to impress. You may be in the comfort of your home but you can’t dress like it. Going the extra mile with your fashion can stand out in the interview. Being better-dressed than the people interviewing you could be another bonus that gets you further along in the process. This doesn’t stop at a nice outfit, it includes your hair and overall appearance. Brush your teeth, show off your curly hair and the effort that you can put into your daily appearance.