12 Job Interview Tips

by Kathy Seaton

When it comes to acing a job interview, there are certain things one must do to stand out from the stack of resumes. Remember, you are on an interview with everyone in the company, from the receptionist to the CEO. You have to make a lasting impression during every step of the interview process. We’ve gathered 12 job interview tips to make your interview process seamless, setting you up to sign the job offer letter.

1. Research your employer like a detective.

Impress your interviewer by leaving no online presence of the company unturned. Pull stats from its latest financial earnings summary or reference its latest achievements by reading through news releases. And don’t forget about the company’s social media presence and your interviewer’s social profiles too. Comb through every document you can find because doing your research can really put you steps ahead of your competition.

2. Read the company’s Glassdoor profile to see if you can find sample interview questions this employer has been known to ask job candidates.

Everyone hates being surprised by interview questions that seem completely irrelevant, such as: List three other uses for a paintbrush besides the actual use for a paintbrush. More often than not, these types of questions may be posted on a company’s Glassdoor account. Other than being prepared for off-the-wall questions, be sure to prepare for personal questions about yourself, such as: What are your hobbies? Take this time to evaluate your career accomplishments, the reason you are interviewing, and what you want to achieve in the future to ensure an interviewer can learn who you are and where you want to be in 30 minutes or less.

3. Prepare questions to ask.

You shouldn’t be the only one answering questions. Prepare a list of questions for the interviewer. This will help make the interview more conversational and show your interest in the position. Make sure these questions cover personal (What makes you want to come to work every morning?), corporate (What has the revenue growth been year-over-year?), and role insights (What does success look like in three months for an individual in this position?). You may discover this job is not perfect for you after all, or that something is awry.

4. Scrub your social media profiles.

Your college days are over, but your social media profiles saved unflattering memories. This could ruin your first impression before you even arrive at the interview, so make sure when your name is queried in a search engine, the results are nothing short of impressive. Take some time to clean up your social media accounts; you’ll be glad you did.

5. Pick an ideal interview time.

Avoid scheduling your interview during heavy commute times. Arriving late will leave a bad impression. Also, try to avoid interviews right before, during, and after lunch to be respectful of an interviewer’s personal time.

6. Plan your route to the interview.

Make sure you map out exactly how long it will take to get to your interview. There could be construction delays you didn’t know about or a detour. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes ahead of your interview to show your punctuality and respect for your future employer’s time. You may be nervous when walking in, so make sure you take a moment to take a deep, relaxation breath.

7. Research the company’s dress code.

You don’t want your interview ensemble to be too over-the-top, but you don’t want to look too casual either. Make sure your outfit is appropriate for the position you’re seeking. The most important part is that you are comfortable in what you’re wearing and that it helps you exude confidence.

8. Come prepared to not break any interview faux pas.

First and foremost, make sure your phone is on silent. If your line of work requires a portfolio, be sure to bring it and extra copies of your resume. Bring a pad of paper and a pen (or a tablet for the tech savvy) to take notes during your interview. This will show you are engaged, and it gives your interviewer insight into how you act on the job during meetings.

9. Make a good first impression on everyone.

Be polite to each person you encounter on your way to your interview. You never know who is watching. Last, leave an impression (a positive one) with the front desk receptionist and interviewer by smiling, making eye contact, and giving a solid handshake at the beginning and end of your interview.

10. Don’t let your voice waver or use filler words.

Don’t let your nervous energy overshadow your strengths. Filler words such as “um,” “uh,” “well,” “so,” “you know,” “er,” and “like” tend to find their way into our speech when we are verbalizing our thought process — pause instead. Remain confident even when faced with questions that require you to think a bit before answering. Keep your answers positive and your tone authentic to make yourself receptive and inviting to your interviewer.

11. Don’t let your body language send a different message.

It may be difficult for you to look someone directly in the eye, but if you don’t, it portrays that you are unprepared for the interview or insincere. Sit upright because when you are slouched it conveys boredom or laziness. Just remember to relax and be yourself; it will speak volumes about you to the interviewer.

12. Say thank you and follow up.

Once the interview is over, make sure to thank everyone on your way out. Also, don’t forget to send a follow-up email or a note in the mail to personally thank your interviewer again. This will show you are serious and eager to hear feedback about the position.

With these 12 interview tips, you’ll be even more prepared than you already were for your job interview. Whether by phone, webcam, or in-person, you’ll be prepared to answer tough questions, as well as ask your own. Just remember to take a deep breath, stay positive, and be yourself. After all, this is just as much an interview for you as it is for your potential future employer.