We’ve all been there. With sweaty palms and anxious thoughts, most job interviews are nowhere near pleasant experiences. That’s just how it is. After all, many things determine whether we’ll get the position we’re after, and some of them are hard to control. But, thanks to student loans, mortgages, and our kids’ education, we can’t sit on our couches all day and wait for the next unemployment check. Life is tough, so we need to act up.
Most jobs require us to pass one or a series of interviews. And for most of us, unfortunately, these formal events where we talk about our ambitions, pay, and our overall stance towards the line of work we’re heading into can be quite stressful. This is why we’ve come up with a couple of job interview tricks that you can use to make sure you get the position you’re looking for, even without previous job experience.
Take Research About the Job Position
The first and obvious tip for acing an interview is to put your glasses on and do a bit of research. With the internet by your side, you can find all sorts of information, news, and data to broaden your horizons. As such, you can inform yourselves better about currently hiring companies and job positions they offer. But that’s not all the research you can do.
Once you agree to an interview, we recommend that you visit the company’s website and sniff around for useful details. Furthermore, Google the name of your potential employer and see whether there is some helpful news about them. The same goes for their social media accounts, competitors, employees on LinkedIn, the hiring manager, etc.
Research About the Industry You Are Getting In
Next up, we need to mention the most important of all job interview tips — researching the industry. Regardless of where you’re looking to find a job, be it this or that, you must know your way around. From common terms to usual practices, all that can be found with a — you’ve guessed it — quick Google search.
But how do you research an industry? Well, there are a couple of basic steps. First, you need to conduct the actual research via the internet and conduct data. Once you have done that, analyze your findings and write them down. It might seem a bit cheesy, but it actually works. The last step is to evaluate everything and come up with a conclusion.
Wear Proper and Formal Clothing
Aside from job interview questions and your knowledge about the industry you’re heading into, you need to leave a good impression. And yes, we’re talking about a job interview dress code. Depending on your position and the company, you’ll be looking at both casual and formal clothes. So, from shirts and suits to sweaters and plain, basic Ts.
For this part, it’s key to assess what kind of clothing will suit your position and leave that perfect impression. If it’s a corporate profession, look into suits, shirts, ties, long skirts, etc. On the other hand, if your dream job is more casual, so should your clothes be.
Practice Your Communication Skills
We all know that clothes don’t make you who you are. Sure, it’s great to wear things you like and feel comfortable, but there are other things at play when having a job interview too. You should, therefore, pay attention to your communication skills. They’re essential for leaving a good impression, as well as answering questions the right way.
To improve them, keep in mind the following:
- Always carefully listen to the person you’re talking to;
- Know who you’re talking to;
- Include proper body language;
- Read your emails again before sending them;
- Being brief means being specific;
- Think things through before you open your mouth;
- Always have a positive attitude.
Be Honest During Your Job Interview
Another tip to improve your chances at an interview is to always be honest. No matter how good at poker you might be, hiring managers aren’t noobs by any means. Their job is to read people from head to toe. From your body language to the actual answers you give, they’ll immediately know if you’re trying to fake something.
We don’t need to tell you how badly you can damage your chances if an interviewer senses you’re lying. Some will allow you to continue bragging about how you’re good at this or that, while others will thank you for your time. Either way, it’s awful. So, the only option is honesty. It will leave a much better impression.
Talk More About Realistic Ideas and Expectations
Sure enough, a common interview will start with you entering an office, being asked whether you’d like something to drink, and then your potential employers asking you to introduce yourself. Some might read into this more than they should. They might think that asking for a coffee instead of tea will increase or decrease your chances, but that’s just not true.
The real deal starts when you open your mouth. So, besides being honest and giving brief and concise answers, you should be realistic. If you don’t understand something, don’t try to wiggle your way out. Keep things in your realm. Don’t overhype anything. Instead, be clear about what your ideas are and how much you expect from your potential job.
Nevertheless, feel free to come at least 30 minutes early. Let your possible employer know how serious you are about the position and how much you value their company. And in case the interview doesn’t go your way — don’t despair. Another job offer will come along in time, as copies of your resume keep flying around, from office to office.