Congratulations! After who knows how many applications and cover letters, you my friend, have a real life interview. This probably isn’t your first interview, or maybe it is, regardless you want to nail it. You want to leave the meeting walking tall and thinking “Oh yeah, I got this.”. Here are my top 5 ways to kill it in any interview.
- Re-read the Job Description.
Re-read the job description you’ve applied for, not only do you want to use this to prepare for tip number two, but you may have applied for a million jobs and you want to be sure you remember exactly which one this is.
While you are reading, make a note of all of the qualifications they’ve asked for and that you meet. Be prepared to talk about those as you’ll want to highlight them! They wanted someone with a four year degree? You went to the University of Blank and Such and NOT ONLY that, you ran the student organization responsible for implementing new water bottle filling drinking fountains. Take what they’ve asked for and add some personal flair, emphasizing how it makes you suitable for their position. - Research the Position.
You’ve read the job description, looked up a bit more about the company (or at least you should have), now you have a vague idea about what the job would be like. Research it further, what is the job like at OTHER companies? How does the description you’ve read line up? Write down any questions that come up as you are looking around and comparing,and note the salary differences, you’ll want to have these ready later. - But WHAT do you WEAR?!
I struggled with this for so long. At 16 I even went to an interview wearing my mom’s work clothes from the nineties (it was not the nineties when I had said interview).
I was 16 years old, wearing a dated striped turtleneck and dress pants that didn’t fit me, to a pizza place. I almost wore jeans to an audition for college until a teacher said “Oh girl, no.” and then I wore my hostess outfit from work instead. I was clearly in need of help.
Well, you’ve probably hear the phrase “dress for the job you want” -do this. This is smart. You already did the research, is this company a casual work environment? Then go for business casual. Are they a Fortune 500 Company? Then dress like you are the lead role in a movie about a multimillionaire CEO.
If you are ever not sure, dress to impress, it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. Be comfortable, feel confident, and for the love of all that is good in this world- iron your damn shirt. - Be Early.
Fifteen to ten minutes is best. Too early and you look crazy and desperate, not early enough and you risk getting lost in the parking ramp and being late. Not cool. Go early, sit in your car if you must until the 15 minute mark and make your way in. - Ask Questions.
At the end of EVERY interview they ask “Do you have any questions for me?”. Do not ask “When can I start?” It’s not funny, and they HAVE heard it before, and you will not start.
DO ask those questions you came up with in your research, and once all of those have been addressed hit them with the real deal sealer– “Is there anything about my application that concerns you? Is there anything missing that I can address?”
BAM.
This gives them one of two options. They can either say “No, everything looks great!” thus having them say it aloud that you’ve done well and reminding themselves of what an exceptional candidate you are. OR they can say “Well, we’re worried you don’t have much experience with blah dah blah.” and now you are free to talk about what you DO know about it and what a fast learner you are.
Ta Da! You did it! Now, bonus tip, don’t rush out of there! Take your time, be gracious and shake hands. How you leave says just as much as how you came in. Stay confident, stay pleasant, and then cry in the car if you have to. But you probably won’t, because you just nailed it!
Send a little thank you email later, thanking them for the interview and letting them know you’ll look forward to hearing from them soon.
I hope you all love these tips, and don’t forget to share them with your friends!
Sugar and Savings,
Taylor