How to ace your next job interview
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Are you just a day or two away from facing your next job interview? Job interviews are often challenging and nerve wracking. The days leading up to your job Interview may end up getting you anxious if you do not have the right preparation and mindset. With adequate preparation, even the most nervous job seekers can put up a confident performance and come out victorious on the day.
Interviews give you a chance to demonstrate your enthusiasm, professionalism and compatibility with the company culture rather than showcasing your qualifications. Today, we are discussing a few comprehensive tips that will help you ace your next job interview and make a lasting impression on the employer.
Research the company
Dedicate a few hours into researching the employer before attending your job interview. Walking through the doors without having any idea who's interviewing you and what the company does is a grave mistake. Researching the employer and the role is a critical part of your interview preparation. Employers want to see that you are genuinely interested in them and their organization. Pay attention to the company website, their recent press releases, and social media when you prepare for your interview.
Prepare STAR-based answers
In the modern interview room, you can expect to be asked a few behavioral interview questions. These questions require STAR method answers that can help you provide structured and complete responses to complex questions. Research the STAR method to understand how it works. STAR answers allow you to showcase your problem-solving skills and achievements in a clear, concise manner. Pick a few behavioral questions that you feel you might get asked during your interview and practice how you can give STAR answers for them.
Dress appropriately
No matter how well you perform during your interview, your appearance is the first thing that an interviewer notices. Dressing appropriately for interviews will allow you to create the best first impression with a hiring manager. Don't wait for the day of the interview to pick out your interview outfit. Go through your closet and choose a power suit that you can wear to your interview to boost your confidence. You can research the company's dress code and aim to dress one level above that. For example, if the company has a business casual dress code, you can dress formal business attire.
Mind your body language
Your words are not the only thing that you will be using to communicate with the interviewer during your interview. One of the best interview tips that we can give you is to practice nonverbal communication. Your body language plays a huge role in nonverbal communication. Confident and positive body language can reinforce your verbal responses and showcase your enthusiasm. So how can you maintain positive body language during your interview? You can do that by:
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Practice common interview questions
Every interview is a unique experience. However, there are common interview questions that are repeated across interviews, no matter the industry or the position. Researching a few of these and preparing your answers beforehand will boost your confidence on the interview date. Anticipating common interview questions will help you respond clearly and thoughtfully without hesitation during your job interview. Here are a few common interview questions that you should prepare for:
Ask thoughtful questions
Interviews are a two-way street. The interviewer is not the only person who can ask questions. Once your job interview is near conclusion, your interviewer will give you the opportunity to ask them anything that you want. Preparing a set of insightful questions which showcases how you are engaged and serious about the position will help you set a positive impression with the interviewer. Thoughtful questions show the interviewer that you have knowledge of the industry and the role and are interested in the company. Therefore, you must prepare a set of intellectual questions to ask your interviewer.
Practice mock interviews
If you have trouble being confident during an interview, you can practice mock interviews. Get a friend or a family member to help you rehearse your interview skills with a mock interview. You can give them the set of questions you have prepared and ask them to pretend to be an interviewer. Try to answer their questions without looking at your notes. Instead of simply focusing on answering questions, you can also give some attention to practicing common interview etiquette, your postures, etc. You can even simulate a real interview environment by dressing professionally and practicing with someone who provides constructive feedback.