How to Ace an Interview
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, no matter how many times you've done one. You're meeting new people, at a new company, in a new role. You aren't sure what to expect, which is why you need to be prepared for interviews. In this blog, we're going to give you six steps to ace an interview.
Step 1: Do your research
Learn everything you can about the company and the person you’re interviewing with, regardless of their level within the business. Here are some places you can do research:
Company website
Social media accounts
Read online reviews
Check out competitors
Step 2: Prepare questions
Have your own list of questions for the interviewer. You're interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. You have needs and requirements of a company just as they do with you. Here are a few examples of questions to ask:
What are the general expectations of the person in this role?
What do you like best about working at XYZ company?
Why did you decide to come to this company?
What would a typical day look like for someone in this role?
What are the skills and experiences you’re looking for in an ideal candidate?
Step 3: Be on time
Is it an in-person interview? Make sure you know where you're going ahead of time. Put it in your Maps and leave five minutes earlier than it says it'll take.
Interviewing on Zoom? Test your connection beforehand. Interviewing over the phone? Don't take the call from the road. Make sure you have a reliable connection. Technology sometimes fails us, but do your best to make sure that doesn't happen.
Step 4: Be Yourself
During the interview, be yourself. You don't want to be someone you're not, then end up in a role that isn't right for you. Interviewers will be able to sniff out if you're being fake, too. Be yourself, and if you still don't land the job, it wasn't right for you anyway.
Step 5: Follow up
You should always follow up after an interview. Write a quick thank you note no later than 12 hours after the interview. It shows that you're interested and excited about the role and the company. Read more about how to write a thank-you note after an interview in this blog.
Step 6: Remember, it’s not a slam dunk
Just because you aced the first round doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare for each additional interview. Show you care at every level of the process and give each interview adequate preparation. In reality, each interview will get harder, so you should be more prepared than the last.
Final Notes
You won't get every job you interview for, and that's just the way it is. Don't be hard on yourself if you don't land a job you were hoping for. A better one will come along! Treat each interview on its own accord, and you'll eventually land the job of your dreams.
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