In part one, we talked about the importance of having confidence and the right attitude in acing your job interview.
The skills necessary to ace your interview will vary on the company (and person) that you interview with, so there is no one magic formula. But there are some common things that can increase your chances. We discussed how having the right attitude and exuding confidence are cornerstones to a strong interview, but there are more things that can help you land that great job.
It’s important that you research the company that you are interviewing with. Obviously they don’t expect you to know all the ins and outs of what their company does or how things work. But having a basic knowledge of what the company does shows that you’re interested in working there, not just interested in getting a job. Make sure you check out their website and understand what they do, their reputation, and possibly a few interesting points that you can ask questions about.
Another aspect of nailing your interview is being prepared to ask your own questions. Most of the time we look at an interview as an event in which we’re the one’s getting grilled. That’s true to an extent, but remember that a job interview is a two-way street. The company you are interviewing with needs to make an impression on you just the same. I think this is one of the most overlooked aspects of interviewing; use your interview as an opportunity to learn more about the company and decide whether it is the place for you. Asking your own questions shows that you have confidence, really care about what the company has to offer you, and that you put in some effort to prepare for your interview ahead of time.
When talking about your previous positions (which always happens eventually) in the interview, never talk bad about your previous employer and/or manager. First of all, it’s unprofessional. Second, it makes you look like a complainer with a bad attitude. Lastly, the interviewee will be wondering what you would say about them if they ended up hiring you. It’s should be common sense, but you’d be surprised at how many people do this. No matter how badly your previous job went, don’t do yourself a disservice by lashing out. Keep your cool and be as gracious as possible, it’s in your best interests in the end.
Preparing for your interview can be a tough thing, but it’s crucial to remember that it’s a meeting that both parties need to leave being mutually impressed with each other. Don’t let your anxiety get the best of you, just use it as a motivating factor to thoroughly prepare yourself. A little bit of work before the interview makes a big difference. It is easy to separate the candidates that came prepared from those that didn’t, because it’s something that is hard to hide if the interviewer asks the right questions. Don’t be the forgettable interviewee, go in there prepared with the right attitude and you’ll have a great shot at coming out with the job you’re looking for.
