No matter how confident you are in your skills and how much experience you have in your field, the job interview can still be nerve-racking. How do you guarantee that your potential employer sees exactly the asset you could be to their company? Easy. Follow these 10 steps to nail your next job interview and make an impression that can’t be ignored.
How to Make the Most of Your Job Interview
A job interview is your opportunity to make a lasting and impactful first impression. Whether the interviewer is the one making the hiring decisions or is reporting back to that person, this is your time to show how they need someone like you.
Interviews and the entire hiring process have changed drastically in the last few years. You may be doing a virtual interview or you may be sitting down face-to-face with a hiring manager. Either way, these tips will help you make the most of this powerful opportunity.
- Be Grateful
Counting your blessings may seem unrelated to nailing a job interview but it is not. Being grateful and appreciative of the opportunities ahead is a trait that is not only noticeable but it is attractive.
- Do Your Homework
What company are you applying to work for? What is their specialty? How long have they been around? Are they big players in the industry or are they up and coming? How does the position you are applying for help them be great?
Knowing the answer to these questions will help you navigate the interview with confidence. By knowing the company and the position you are applying for well, your interviewer will know you are serious about the job.
- Be Confident
You have a skillset and demeanor that this company would benefit greatly from having… Their team will be more productive and effective with you there… Your background and expertise will make a noticeable impact on the team’s performance…
The interviewer can feel your level of confidence in yourself. Remembering why you are the best choice for the job will help you exude confidence and nail your job interview.
- Eye Contact and Body Language
The importance of eye contact cannot be overstated. It is essential in projecting a healthy sense of confidence and self-esteem. It helps people notice you and remember what you say, it is necessary to create rapport and it helps keep you self-aware.
Body language is also critical in nailing an interview. Weak body language includes slouching, avoiding eye contact and making yourself small. Strong body language looks like sitting up straight, leaning forward and having a strong handshake (if you are meeting in person).
- Know Why You Are the Best Choice
Why are you specifically suited for this job? What is it about your past experience that makes you the ideal candidate? What situations have you been in where you had to rise to the challenge and solve an important problem or come through in a time of need?
Having these examples ready will show you are prepared and that you have the competence required to do the job right.
- Dress Appropriately
How you dress speaks volumes about you. Knowing at what level to dress also communicates your situational awareness. If you are applying for a managerial position on a commercial construction site, you probably won’t wear a three-piece suit. If you are planning on running HR for an international construction company, you should dress appropriately.
- Ask the Right Questions
Nailing an interview isn’t only about answering questions properly. Asking the right questions will show that you mean business. What are the expectations for this position? Where can I go for questions and direction in the beginning? If I have a suggestion, who do I talk to? These questions and more will show your initiative.
- Be Familiar with the Platform for a Virtual Interview
Are you attending a virtual job fair? If you are doing a virtual interview, be prepared. Know the platform they are using and familiarize yourself with it. Do a practice run. Do your homework! Don’t let technical issues get in the way of making a great first impression.
- Be Yourself
An even bigger asset than your experience is who you are as a person. Remember that and be yourself. You don’t want to be a square peg in a round hole and by being yourself, you are showcasing the person behind the skills.
- Follow Up
Always follow up shortly after the interview. Thank them for their time and let them know that you are looking forward to hearing back from them. Handwritten thank you cards and emails go a long way to show your gratitude for the time they spent with you.
Nailing an Interview, Made Easy
You have all the skills, the attitude and the mindset to do the job. Now you just need the opportunity. Mytrades.ca is where you can meet the employers that need you, today. Reach out and see how mytrades.ca can help you take that next step in your career.
