Facing an interview like a boss

Facing an interview like a boss Ah… Interviews. It doesn’t matter if you are a first timer or a more experienced candidate; interviews are a universal nerve-wrecker. But hey, you are not alone. Although interviews are scary, these are some helpful tips for anyone and everyone to shed the nervousness and face them like a boss.

1. Prepare in advance

• Research the company –  Find out what the mission of the company is, how long it’s been around, how many employees it has, and what your position would be if you got the job. If the company has a motto, memorize it. Make sure you know as much about it as you can so you can impress your interviewers and show them how much you care.

• Do some background research about the interviewer – If I am to use a short synonym for this; stalk. But not to an extent where you’ll be horrified or find out facts you wish you hadn’t. Check their LinkedIn or other professional profiles; it’s the safest and most professional form of getting an idea about the interview panel you will be facing.

• Prepare to answer common questions – Some of these would be questions such as; “What are your biggest strengths?” “What are your biggest weaknesses?”   “Why do you want to work at this company?”  Don’t be too proud and go to town when expressing your strengths nor be too shy when stating your weaknesses, show the interviewer that you possess the relevant strengths for the job you are applying for and that you are focused on improving on your weaknesses.

• Prepare to ask questions from the interviewer – Have at least three questions at your disposal to ask the interviewer, do not be shy or intimidated to ask any questions, you need to show the him/her that you are curious and confident. Some examples would be; Details about an aspect of the job you’d like to know more about, whether the job requires working on holidays or weekends, whether you are required to work after office hours and so on.

• Prepare to explain why you’d be a good fit for the company – Another thing you need to get ready to say is why you’d be a great fit for the company. Check out what the employees at the company are like and what the company values the most when it comes to the position you’re seeking; use buzzwords to show why you possess those qualities and why you’d be a perfect fit for the job you’re interviewing for.

• Prepare to bring everything you need – It’s important to get everything you need together the day before you go to the interview so you don’t have to do any last-minute preparation to get ready for the big day. You’ll most likely need to bring your CV and cover letter to use as a reference, as well as any other additional materials that you think will help give your interviewers a better sense of who you are and the work that you do.

2. Facing it like a boss

• Dress professionally – Your exterior is judged before you introduce yourself, so dress well to make a good first impression. Remember that different types of companies have different dress codes, so dress accordingly. Pay attention to hygiene and the cleanliness of your clothes, put an effort into looking presentable and it will show.

• Be punctual – Check the traffic on your route and arrive at least ten minutes early, this will give you time to relax and be calm before going in, it will also show the interviewer that you are punctual and really care about the job.

• Introduce yourself with confidence – Imagine Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger playing in the background as you enter, stand tall, make eye contact, put a smile on your face, and give your interviewers a firm, confident handshake when you introduce yourself. Walk with confidence and avoid fidgeting or looking around the room; remember that you only have one chance to make a first impression, and you want it to count. Make good use of body language, use your hands when expressing your ideas. Don’t sit down unless you are offered to.

• Be articulate when you answer the questions – Speak as clearly and confidently as you can and make eye contact when you share your thoughts and ideas. Focus on getting your points across, avoid saying “like” or “um” and pause instead. The most important thing is that you deliver your words with confidence and sound like you really mean what you say.

• Avoid sharing overly personal information – Though you may feel like your interviewers really like you and that they’re getting buddy buddy with you, you should avoid mentioning anything overly personal about yourself. Don’t talk about your significant other, your kids, or your personal problems at home; this shows that you’re not focused on the job and that you’re unprofessional, and the interviewer does not care.

• Make sure to thank your interviewers in person – When the interview is over, show that you’re grateful for the fact that your interviewers took the time to meet with you and to get a chance to talk to you about your skills and qualifications. As you leave the room, shake your interviewer’s hand again and make sure to look her/him in the eye and give a sincere smile and a real thank you; this shows that you’re considerate and that you’re really grateful for the opportunity.

• Don’t badmouth the previous/ current employer – Your previous or current employer may be a villain straight out of a mafia movie, but hold your horses tight and avoid badmouthing them. Instead, you should say something like, “I’ve gained a lot of great experiences at my current position, but I’m ready for a new challenge.” If you say horrible things about your job or your boss, then your potential future employers will think that you may turn around and say the same about them in the future.

Keep these small points in your head so that you don’t barge in to an interview sweating profusely and wreck your nerves. Just keep your cool and breathe. It’s just an interview, not a trip to the Principal’s office.