How to pass a job interview depends on more than just the interview itself. There is a truism that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This is particularly relevant when preparing for a job interview. Whether it’s an in-person or a remote interview it’s important to prepare, plan, and research in advance.
Check out these 5 tried and tested ways to pass your job interview:
- Research, research, research
- Dress to impress
- Do a test run
- Confidence is key
- Be interested, ask questions
Research, research, research
Thoroughly research the company you are interviewing with beforehand. Find out as much as you can so you can conveniently drop certain nuggets of information into your conversation with the interviewer(s). It also helps you determine whether this company is truly an environment you want to be a part of. See if you can learn more about the company culture and read their mission and vision statements. We have previously discussed the importance of knowing their Mission & Vision and finding a way of interjecting it with the answers you’ll give during the interview.
If you have an in-person interview, why not scout the location of the interview? Is there public transport, taxi ranks or parking nearby? Bearing in mind that you have to travel to get there, factor in how long the commute will be and give yourself extra time for any unexpected delays you may face. If you will take public transport to get to your interview, find out what route you need to take, how long the commute will be and where the nearest bus stops or train stations are to your destination. If you live in a congested area, factor in any traffic delays so that you don’t arrive late.
Dress to impress
Once you’ve done your research on a company’s culture, find out about what their dress code is like. Look at company photos online or past events where you can see what the staff wore. This will help to gauge what sort of attire you should wear for your interview. You don’t need expensive clothes or shoes to impress. Just make sure that your outfit is clean, neat, and if possible, pressed. If you are coming in for a second interview, mirror what the interviewer wore for your first interaction. Doing so is based on a psychological technique called limbic synchrony, where you copy the gestures (and more) of the person you are interested in. It shows that you are in-sync with them – which you want to show!
Do a test run
Prepare a set of questions that you think might get asked during the interview. For example, if you are still currently employed, it’s possible that you will be asked why you are looking for another job. Be prepared to sell yourself. If you are doing the interview remotely, you need to prepare your equipment. Do a test run with one of your friends to make sure that everything is in working order. It would not be good to find that your laptop mic is not working on the day of the interview.
Confidence is key
You have to believe in yourself before others can believe in you. Show confidence in your ability to do the job you are applying for. It’s understandable for you to be nervous, and if you are not confident at all – fake that confidence! That’s the secret of technical support agents who troubleshoot software, actually. A problem may be new to them, and they might not even know where to start with resolving it, but they don’t show that to the customers. It’s important to show confidence in one’s abilities to resolve issues for others to follow their recommendations – the same with selling yourself during the interview. Bring your credentials to support your claims. If your credentials are verified by TrueProfile.io, it instantly gives employers the confidence that you can walk the talk. Your verified credentials back you up. Your Education TrueProof and Professional TrueProof shows that you have the training and experience to do the job properly.
Be interested, ask questions
Don’t be a passive interviewee. Show your interest in working for the company by asking about their culture, what a day in the job looks like, and more. You’ve done your research on the company, show the interviewer what you’ve learned. Ask questions relevant to the interview and the role of the person interviewing you. It shows your proactive attitude when you parry with questions of your own.
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