For most people, job interviews are about as enjoyable as going to the dentist or hitting the gym. Sure, it’s rewarding when it’s all over, but it’s not necessarily something one looks forward to.
I used to despise interviews, but it wasn’t because I didn’t like talking to people or connecting over shared interests. Frankly, it was the pressure that always got to me. The idea of having to sell myself to a potential employee left me second-guessing every answer I gave and every question I asked.
But, over time, I figured out ways to lower my stress levels, increase my confidence, and put myself in a better position to succeed. I still didn’t land every job I interviewed for, but I definitely noticed myself making a stronger impression.
If you’re someone who struggles with interviews, here are a few tips that will help you land your dream job.
Do Your Research
Before heading in for your interview, do as much research on the company and the position as possible. Take a look at their website, their social media channels, and even familiarize yourself with members of the staff.
If possible, reference things you noticed in your research during your interview. This will show the company that you’re actually interested in what they do and that you’re taking this seriously.
Know Your Resume
This may sound obvious, but it’s extremely important that you know your resume backwards and forwards. It will get brought up during the interview, so make sure you’re comfortable speaking about a job you had two years ago or why your internship ended after just a few months.
Reference the skills you learned in your previous positions and how they apply to the job you’re interviewing for now.
Nail the Introduction
Before the real talking even begins it is vital that you nail the introduction. Give the person (or people) you’re speaking with a strong and firm handshake, look them in the eyes, smile, and project confidence. It doesn’t matter how well you nail the actual interview if you don’t make a good first impression.
Have Examples in Your Back Pocket
You’ll more than likely be asked to give examples of how your previous jobs have prepared you for the one you’re interviewing for now, so you better have examples.
If you’re applying for a job in event management and you used to plan birthday parties, make sure you reference how planning birthdays taught you about event management. As long as you’re able to make connections between your previous work and the job you want now, you’ll be considered a strong candidate.
Have Questions
Have a handful of questions ready to go at the end of the interview, but also try to come up with a few on the fly. For example, if you talked about how the company has meetings every Friday, try to come up with a question that pertains directly to those Friday meetings.
This will show the interviewer that you’re curious about the job and that you didn’t just pre-rehearse questions ahead of time. Don’t be afraid to ask specific questions or to put the interviewer on the spot. You’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you!
Send a Thank You Note
I cannot stress enough how important it is to send a thank-you note after your interview is over. In fact, I got a job in the past simply because I took the time to send a handwritten note to all the people who interviewed me. Once you get out of your interview, send a thank you email to the people you talked to right away.
Then, if you’re able to and have their address, send a handwritten note when you get home. Make sure to add details from the interview so it doesn’t sound generic and emphasize further what excites you about the job. I promise this will go along way and will prove you’re serious about the position.
