In the competitive world of work that we live in, it can be tough to be one of the many people all vying for the same job. Whether you’ve sat through your fair share of interviews, you’re on the hunt for your first ever job, or you’re somewhere in the middle, these 5 interview tips can give you an edge on the other candidates. No two companies are the same but knowing how to put your best foot forward in any interview is a good start to also getting it in the door of one of them.
Be Punctual
First impressions count. We all know that trains can be delayed, and that accidents can happen, causing standstill traffic-jams. Nonetheless, potential employers don’t want the first thing they hear from you to be an excuse. So why not quite literally get ahead of these potential obstacles on your way to an interview? The interviewer may not know that you left an hour early and had to kill half an hour in a nearby café, but they will know that you take their time, and that potential job, seriously. Moreover, without the stress of worrying about being on time, you’ll arrive fresh and focused on the task at hand: to smash that interview.
In the case that disaster does strike, it’s also vital to know how to recover from that interview slip-up. Being late, if you really can’t avoid it, doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Acknowledging the importance of being punctual, and owning the error, will demonstrate accountability and integrity, and go world’s further than a blanket apology.
Do Your Research
There’s nothing worse than being asked the classic question of why you want to work with a company and coming up blank. We all know it’s coming; we’ve most likely been asked about it before in other interviews. And it’s precisely for this reason, that not knowing how to answer it can reflect badly on you as an interviewee, having had time to prepare for that very moment.
Companies want to know why you’re interested in working for them, specifically. They want to know what would make you the best fit for the job, and what you can bring to their company. To answer this, you need to have a good understanding of the working environment that you would be stepping into, and the company’s expectations of their employees. This process starts from reading the job posting, and everything else you need to know to be fully prepared for the interview depends entirely on you. For example, when you want to apply as an ESL Teacher you can do research about more on teach English abroad can be learned here for you to learn more about this field.
Dress For The Job
What to wear, or what not to wear, is something that will change depending on what job you’re going for. If you’ve done your research thoroughly, then you should have a good idea of how people in your field generally present themselves. You can style yourself based on this information, and it’s never a bad idea to also confirm if the company has an expected dress-code during the interview itself. This is always a great follow-up question which shows attention to detail and will ensure you never get it wrong if the interview goes well. When the Job is related abroad, preparing a cultural trip will give you an advantage when you apply for a job abroad.
If you still find yourself overthinking it and undecided, then you could get an objective opinion from friends or family that you trust and have them choose your outfit for you. Don’t let nerves get the better of you by utilizing your support group where possible. And remember that being dressed to impress goes beyond clothes; having good hygiene and tidy hair is already half the work done.
Ask Questions
An interview shouldn’t be a passive experience. You need to communicate your interest in the job to the interviewer, and that goes beyond well-researched answers. There are some go-to questions that many interviewees will most likely ask, which are a great start and you can have a few more in mind regarding any additional information that you would like to know.
The interviewer is an invaluable source of information, and your first impression of the company, which is just as important as their impression of you. Questions can help you discern for yourself whether this company is also a good fit for you and your expectations. In the worst-case scenario, the interview was a great warm-up for future interviews with companies you can really envision working with.
Be Yourself
Perhaps it sounds a little on the nose but feeling anxious and nervous can often translate into closed-off body language. Be mindful of this and remind yourself that, while the stakes are higher, this is still a conversation with another person. Their identity doesn’t stop at their role as the interviewer, in the same way that yours isn’t defined by the job you want. Letting yourself relax into the interview will show off your personality and this is something that potential employers also take into consideration when interviewing candidates.
Much like you would with your colleagues, or friends and family, being yourself also involves being an active listener throughout the interview process. Reciting researched and rehearsed answers won’t score you any points with an interviewer, who is also looking out for your ability to be present and engaged in productive conversations with potential future colleagues. There needs to be a back and forth, and so ultimately a strong interview response quite simply rests on the shoulders of first listening to what you’re being asked.
Nothing is guaranteed when you step into an interview room. It is a space of uncertainty, but also a space of endless potential and possibility. Following these 5 interview tips aren’t a step-by-step guide to getting your dream job, but they are a springboard to getting to grips with how to make that space your own. The rest is putting theory into practice. You may not be the ideal candidate for every role that you apply for, but you will impress every interviewer until you do finally find your fit.
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