Nothing compares to the excitement of getting off that phone call when you’ve just been told you landed an interview for the job you’ve been vying for. Your resume looks strong and the company is ready to learn more about you.
Then creeps in the anxiety. We all know the feeling. Now you have to ace that interview.
The fear of interviewing and public speaking and the anxiety that it brings is almost inevitable. If not managed properly these feelings can sabotage that dream interview. But with intentional preparation and the right tools in your back pocket, you can mitigate the anxiety and be the interviewee who steals the show.
A Great Interview Requires Great Preparation
I know you want to walk into that room with cool confidence on the day of your interview. And you can. But that confidence takes building- and it starts before the day-of.
Prepare for Your Job Interview with Thorough Research
If you’ve been asked to interview with a company you’re excited about, chances are you already know a bit about them. But do you know enough?
The answer is probably no. After all, you can never be too prepared!
Before the interview is the time to arm yourself with the tools you need to win the interviewer over. Start with research. Research as much as you can about the company and the position you’re interviewing for.
- When was the company founded?
- Who are some people that hold the top positions in this company?
- What all does the position you’re interviewing for entail?
- What are some of the company’s crowning achievements?
- Can you network with anyone who works for or has worked for this company?
Use Your Research to Prepare Your Own Interview Questions
Yes, you’re the one being interviewed for the job. But an interview is also the time for you, as a prospect, to discover whether or not this is the right workplace for you.
Has your research of this company left you with any nagging questions? If so, prepare them ahead of time to ask in the interview when given the opportunity. If not, you should still be preparing thoughtful, research based questions to ask your interviewer.
For example: “I see that [insert name and high-level position] started with [company name] in the same position I’m applying for today. What is it about [name] that led him/her to be so successful within this company and rise to where they stand today?”
Furthermore, you’ll likely gain points with the interviewer for these thoughtful, relevant questions. Get the answers you’re looking for. Demonstrate your knowledge of the company. Highlight your interest in the job.
Pre-Interview Preparation: There’s More!
You’ve done your research, you know the company. Though whether it’s an in-person interview or a virtual interview, your knowledge is only as solid as your delivery.
Competence builds confidence. Knowing you’re competent in an interview requires proving it to yourself beforehand through practice.
Practice Interviewing Yourself
You want to sit down for the big interview and exude confidence. You need to speak clearly and concisely and demonstrate that you’re the most capable candidate for the position. That’s a lot harder to do if you’re not well-versed in the information you’re delivering.
This is where practice comes into play.
A mirror is going to be your best friend whilst working on nailing down your delivery. Stand in front of a mirror and talk about yourself. Say the things you would say in an interview. Answer questions you expect to be asked.
Do this all while watching your face and body language. Can you deliver information about yourself without tripping over your tongue? Now can you do that while keeping your shoulders back and a smile on your face?
Once you’ve mastered the art of interviewing yourself in a mirror you can feel confident in knowing you’re capable. You can shine in front of an interviewer as well.
The Mock Interview
To further instill confidence and prepare before your big day, set up a mock interview. Do this with a trusted friend or family member. This will allow you to demonstrate the skills you’ve practiced in the mirror in an actual, one-on-one interview setting.
Be sure to create your mock interview with someone who you can take seriously. Have this person prepare challenging questions that may arise in the real deal interview. Assure your setting is professional and realistic– don’t cheat yourself by having your mock interview on the couch with a TV playing in the background.
Yes, this can feel silly and uncomfortable at first, but take the mock interview seriously. Prepare answers to common interview questions and get used to delivering on the fly with that calm, confidence everyone wants to portray.
The Formula to Delivering A1 Answers to Interview Questions
At this point, you’re well on your way to acing your next interview. You’re prepared with the knowledge you need and the confidence to deliver… But now you’re likely asking, “But what do I say about myself?”
No worries, we have interview tips for that too.
Be Prepared for Your Interviewer to Ask TED W Questions
When you walk into an interview you’ll be prepared with research, stories, answers and your own questions. Your interviewer will be prepared as well– Likely with questions that follow the TED W formula.
- Tell me (a time when)
- Explain to me
- Describe to me
- Walk me through (your process)
Interviewers often ask these open ended questions in order to assess your behavior. The goal of a TED W question is to gauge how you might behave or react when faced with a common workplace situation or challenge.
It’s your job to be prepared to deliver stories and examples. Think of times when you’ve stared down similar challenges or situations and what you did to overcome them as well as the outcome you achieved.
Answer TED W Interview Questions Using the STAR Method
When preparing your responses to common TED W questions make sure to present them with STAR answers. STAR stands for:
- Situation: Describe the context or scenario surrounding the situation you were faced with.
- Task: What were you responsible for in this scenario? Describe the task at hand.
- Action: Tell the interviewer about the course of action you took to solve the problem or how you endeavored to overcome the task.
- Result: What was the outcome of your action? Tell about the results you achieved focusing on what you learned, accomplished or what went particularly well.
Keeping your answers within the STAR method will assure that they are clear and get to the point of what the interviewer is looking to uncover. This is the time to bring to light your past experience that proves you’re ready to take on the job you’re interviewing for today.
A Few Extra Interviewing Tips to Help Land the Job
It’s clear that a lot of what goes into becoming a high caliber interviewee is in the preparation and delivery. Still, there are always a few more tips and tricks to know that will help you stand out.
- Dress in an item or accessory (even a tie, piece of jewelry or socks) that is the color of the company’s brand or logo.
- Come prepared with your printed resume in hand, a list of references and examples of your work.
- In the corporate world, “on time” is not “on time”. Be sure to show up to your interview 10-15 minutes before the scheduled time.
- If you have a Zoom, Skype or other virtual interview there’s an added aspect to being prepared. Log in before the interview to make sure your camera angle is correct, the lighting is good – you don’t want to be sitting in a shadow during your interview – and that all your equipment is working properly.
- Remember, your words say one thing but your body language speaks for itself. Open body language is key. Keep your shoulders back and chin up. Don’t cross your arms or fiddle with your hands in your lap during an interview.
- At the end of an interview it’s appropriate to ask whomever conducted the interview for the next steps. Do you need to call and follow up? Are you awaiting an email? You’ll feel a lot better if you leave the interview knowing what to expect next.
- Send a thank you email! If you interviewed in the morning it’s appropriate to send a thank you email that same evening. If you interviewed in the afternoon, send one the next morning.
Next Step: Ace the Interview and Secure Your Dream Job
Armed with these tools and the experience you have that got you the interview in the first place, you can feel confident that you’re the right person for the job. That confidence will shine on the day of your interview.
When you walk into your interview be sure to remember that you’re there for a reason. The company has chosen to interview you because your resume and past experience has already led them to believe that you could be a great fit for the position.
If you’re still looking for the perfect job to apply for, HireUp is here to help you through the hiring process. Click the contact link below. Schedule a free Discovery Call to learn how we can assist you in uncovering job opportunities and finding the right fit with a company who needs the skills you possess.