Do you have an upcoming interview? If so, then check out how to ace an interview and get your job!
These are tried and tested tips that have worked for me so I’m sharing them exclusively with you!
First of all, take a deep breath and relax.
Congratulations if you have gotten to the interview step!
Usually, your resume gets read or processed by a system before going to actual hands.
Then, from there several candidates are picked before starting the round of interviews.
If you are interested in crafting a stellar resume, then you should read How to Write a Resume to Get Interviews first.
Complete Guide On How to Ace an Interview
Research Stage
After you have heard back for an interview or an initial screening, then you need to do more research for your interview.
Even before you turn in your papers, you should have brief research on the company and learn about:
- what they do
- their mission statement
- work culture
Afterwards, you can gain more information through:
- glassdoor reviews
- indeed reviews
- reviews from employees or staff who are working or previously worked there
If you fully prepare yourself, then you will be able to ace your interview easily.
Preparation Stage
If you haven’t checked out my previous interview post, then you should read What to Bring to An Interview to Get the Job to get more advice!
This is also mentioned in my previous post, but the STAR strategy works!
A brief recap of STAR:
- Situation – provide the context of what happened
- Task – what responsibilities you held or role you played
- Action – what you do in that situation
- Result – what was the outcome or learning experience
STAR scenarios will be there to save the day!
Beforehand, I would list at least three to five experiences or scenarios that happened previously.
Usually, the questions revolve around:
- What role did you play in a team project? How did you resolve communication or conflicts?
- Did you ever hold a leadership position? And If so, how did you handle conflicts?
- What did you do when you got stuck on something?
Of course, there will be variations to the questions, but usually, they revolve around instances where you had conflicts and what steps you took to solve them.
Your employer wants to know how you solve conflicts or what processes or communication you would take in order to solve them.
Day Before Your Interview
On the day before your interview, make sure you pick out your outfit.
You want to overdress rather than underdress.
Not only does this show that you value the position, but also that you care about it.
You can also add a lucky charm or accessory that you like.
Picking clothes that you like and feel good in will boost your confidence levels than something that you haven’t tried before.
If you don’t have any idea, then you can get inspiration from bios and profiles.
Check the company’s staff page or look up the staff on LinkedIn.
From there, research a bit of what they wear and pick your pieces similar to that level of professionalism.
Also, do not try any new makeup looks the morning of your interview.
Instead, stick with what you are most comfortable with because the last thing you want is to mess up your look and leave a poor impression.
How to Answer Questions
Tip: Going fast does not mean that your interviewers will be impressed.
If your interviewer asks you questions, you don’t have to answer them right away.
However, you can pause and wait a bit before you say your response.
This shows that you took the time to think it through and considered your response.
However, don’t wait like a minute, or else the silence will get awkward!
A simple trick is to take a sip of water to stall or think before answering your question.
Important Hacks on How to Ace an Interview
Here are some common tricks that you might overlook, but could really help you in your interview.
The last thing you want to do is to go into an interview blindly with no preparation or tactics.
Think about interviews as a game with different levels.
And as you advance into the game you can collect coins or battle monsters to gain points.
Now think about your interview with questions.
The questions are like monsters hindering you from scoring points.
Perhaps the better you answer them, then the more points you will get.
Then, the coins are like the first impression.
If the team or interviewers like you, then those are your extra bonus points or coins for the game.
1. Maintain Eye Contact
I can’t stress how important this is!
Maintain eye contact and answer your questions while looking at your interviewers.
Give an occasional nod or two to convey that you are listening.
You don’t want to be staring at the ceiling or glancing around when you get asked questions.
This not only shows that you look nervous, but also displays a sense of insincerity.
If you have trouble maintaining eye contact, then you can also glance at a spot on an interviewer.
It can be the center of their eyebrows or their forehead or even the top of their nose.
As long as you are glancing in the right direction, then you will be fine.
2. Be Prepared
This might be obvious, but being prepared means over-preparing yourself!
If you have three scenarios to tell, go prepare a few more.
It is always better to be over-prepared rather than underprepared.
Practice a few mock interviews, draft several answers, and bring all your materials.
Refer back to the preparation section and work on scenarios that highlight your skills, expertise, or experiences.
If you need a refresher or don’t know what to bring, then check out What to Bring to An Interview to Get the Job!
3. Show Enthusiasm
You don’t want to look bored or tired in an interview.
Show that you have the energy or excitement to be there.
It will leave a better impression and show that you are excited to work there.
You might also sprinkle in a fact or two within your conversation that you learned about the company.
For instance, you might answer “I really enjoy the culture of the company, and the mission…aligns with what I am looking for.”
You don’t want to just recite facts, but instead weave them into the conversation.
4. Show Your Skills
If there was a skill test, then make sure you are prepared for it.
However, if it is just a conversational interview, then make sure you show your skills through your stories.
Maybe you know several languages and can show your language skills.
Mention any achievements or accomplishments that relate to your position.
It can be anything from great communication skills to organization or teamwork.
5. Craft Your Answers
Think about all your questions and why you want to work there.
Then, jot down your answers.
You want to have at least three reasons or responses for all your questions.
Throughout your answers, you want to incorporate one or two skills that are relevant to the job.
Always mention the process and the result of any project or experience.
6. Practice Your Communication Skills
If you get scared when faced with a panelist of interviewers, then go practice at mock interview workshops!
There are often tons of workshops at your college or work centers.
My favorite is to practice speaking in front of a mirror.
Not only can you see yourself, but also work on the tone and pacing of your speech.
I realized that I speak faster when I get nervous, so I practiced speaking slower and clearer.
7. Ask a Question
This part always, ALWAYS gets overlooked, but it is a huge part of your interview.
Not only can you show that you are engaged, but also that you are interested and prepared for this role.
Never say that you don’t have a question because it looks like you are uninterested in learning more about the role.
The question of the end is a wonderful way to showcase yourself.
It can be anything from what will my daily role/responsibility look like.
How did you start in your career and what brought you to this position currently?
What is your favorite part of your job?
Anything simple can leave an impression on the interviewers and panelists.
However, don’t ask questions that were mentioned or answered previously as it can show that you weren’t paying attention.
Tip: Prepare at least three questions or more before you go into the interview so you have backups.
8. Leave a Stellar First Impression
No matter if you are interviewing on Zoom or in person, it is extremely important to leave a lasting first impression.
If you are on Zoom, make sure your sound works, the microphone works, and your background is clear.
However, if you don’t have a clean background, then you can use a professional filter or backgrounds that Zoom offers.
If you are interviewing in person, make sure that you arrive at least fifteen minutes early.
Make sure you know the location, where to park, and how to find the place.
You want to be dressed for the interview, enthusiastic about the opportunity, and prepared for questions.
Questions that You May Get Asked On
Here are some questions that I have prepared that you may encounter during your initial interview:
- Why do you want to work here?
- What makes you stand out from other candidates?
- What skills do you have?
- How do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
- What does this position mean to you?
These are some simple and casual questions that let the interviewer learn more about why you want to work here.
Is it for a starter position or do you see yourself working there for a long period?
Interested in more posts like how to ace an interview? Check out How to Write a Resume to Get Interviews.
How to Approach Interview Questions
Ok, I’ll admit that I sometimes freak out a bit inside when I go through interviews.
However, I found out that if I approach it more as a conversation, then everything feels a tad better.
Usually, you have about a couple seconds or under a minute after a question gets asked and you need to answer.
And, it’s usually the fear of the unknown of what question is going to be asked that might throw you off.
But, I have came up with a plan for you to approach those questions like you were born for it.
First, go do your research!!
Go on either google, ask peers who are working in the field, or browse through LinkedIn posts.
Type in the position that you are applying for followed by “interview questions”.
Go through at least three posts and gather the most redundant questions that get asked.
Then, go prepare your answers and practice!
You are more likely to get hired if you look prepared, ready, and on it rather than confused or scared.
By now you should have learned some hacks on how to ace an interview.
How to Ace an Interview: Last Steps
Now after you finish the interview, that is not the last step.
If you prefer, then you can send a thank you email to thank your interviewers.
Draft a thank you letter to your panelist about taking their time and looking forward to hearing back from them.
Personally, I’m not sure how much a thank you letter will break or make your job, but I have gotten offers without crafting one.
If you have done all that you can for your position, then you are set!
Now, it’s time to wait for the results.
If you get rejected, no worries.
Think of it as a learning experience and keep applying.
However, you might want to tweak your resume, improve your interview skills, or gain more skills.
And if you get accepted, CONGRATULATIONS!
It’s an awesome feeling and you’ve worked hard to get to where you are.
However, don’t accept the offer immediately and work on negotiating your salary, talking about your benefits, and settling through everything before saying yes.
Interested in more content like how to ace an interview? Check out Funny Monday Quotes to Jumpstart Your Week.
