16 Expert Tips to Ace Your Interview and Land Your Dream Job

Job interviews can be extremely stressful. It’s completely normal to panic when giving an interview, especially if it’s your first job. But don’t stress too much — preparing ahead of time can make things much easier. When you’re ready, you’ll feel more confident and relaxed. Here are some simple tips to help you go into your interview feeling calm and ready to do well.

Know The Company

While all candidates will most likely do some research to familiarize themselves with the company, you can go that extra mile. Instead of only a few minutes, spend several hours researching everything you can about this business to impress your interviewer.

Arrive Early

Try to get to your interview at least 10-15 minutes early. This shows that you’re punctual and gives you a few moments to calm your nerves and review your notes. Arriving a bit early will also let you check out the company’s environment and culture before the interview starts.

Bring a Portfolio

If it’s relevant to the job, make sure to bring a portfolio of your work. This is especially useful for creative roles. A well-put-together portfolio showcases your best projects and demonstrates your attention to detail and professionalism. Include a variety of pieces to show off your expertise.

Use The STAR Method

When you’re asked those tricky behavioral questions, the STAR method can help. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result, and it’s a simple way to talk about your past experiences. This approach keeps your answers clear and focused, making it easy to share the important details. It shows your interviewer that you’ve got great examples to back up your skills.

Eye Contact

Maintaining eye contact is a sign of confidence and will help you establish a connection with the interviewer, increasing your chances of getting hired. If you find this difficult, practice first with a few relatives and friends, but do not overdo it. You don’t want to look like a total weirdo!

Practice Common Questions

The best thing you can do to arrive prepared for your interview is to practice common questions. You already know they will ask you the usual ‘Why do you want to work with us?’ ‘What are your weaknesses?’ and so on. So make sure you have good answers to give.

Smile

We all love happy people. Who would want to spend eight hours per day with a grumpy or negative colleague? Literally Nobody. So, try to smile during your interview and be as positive as possible. This simple act shows that you’re positive about this job, and it will surely increase your chances of getting hired.

Mind Your Posture

Your posture can also make a massive difference in your interview. It is like on a first date; you want to look confident and open. Keep your back straight and nod your head whenever the interviewer is speaking to signal that you are listening carefully to his words and are not lost in thoughts.

Minimize Distractions

Before your interview, ensure all your electrical devices are in silent mode. You surely don’t want to get interrupted by a call from your best friend or mother. In addition, keep your focus on the interviewer while he’s talking and do your best to avoid getting distracted.

Dress To Impress

They say you should never judge a book by its cover. Even though we agree with this statement, the truth is that we all do it to a certain extent, especially on occasions such as interviews. Showing up in a professional outfit will surely increase your chances of getting hired.

Know Your Accomplishments

What are your most remarkable life accomplishments? These don’t necessarily have to be work-related, but they should still be somehow connected to your job position. For instance, if you’re applying for a position in a sports business, you should mention the marathon you ran last year.

Express Gratitude

Always express gratitude at the beginning and end of your interview. A simple sentence such as ‘Thank you for this opportunity’ or ‘Thank you for your time’ showcases your politeness and appreciation. This also shows that you are very much interested in this position.

Showcase Soft Skills

The key to acing interviews isn’t just showcasing your technical skills. While they surely make a difference, employers want someone who can work well in teams and cannot only adapt but also resolve conflicts. When appearing for interviews, highlight specific situations where you applied your soft skills. This will help you appear well-rounded, boosting your chances of securing the job.

Ask Questions

The chances of your interviewer asking whether you have questions for them are pretty high. Make sure you prepare a few questions to show your interest in the position you’re interviewing for. For instance, you can ask how much creativity the job entails or details regarding the contract.

Mind Your Language

The way you talk says a lot about you. Depending on your job position, you want to change your language slightly. For instance, if you’re applying for a corporate job for a huge firm, avoid all slang and keep it professional. If, on the other hand, you’re applying for a job in a small bakery where everyone seems to know each other, be friendly and funny.

Follow-Up

To follow up or not to follow up? We are for the former. Sending an email requesting the status of your application is a great way to show interest and enthusiasm. Always ask when you will be given more information on the status of your application during your interview, and if this time passes, don’t hesitate to send your follow-up.