Your Ultimate Must Read Job Interview Tips to Land Your Dream Job
We all know that a job interview is where you put your best self forward to secure a job offer at the end of the day. However, there is a fine line between charming your potential boss with self-confidence and passing off as self-absorbed. Can you showcase your full potential without sounding like the latter? How?
Preparation is the key to helping you strike the right balance. Moreover, rather than relying on mere words of self-promotion, you can let your actions do the talking for you.
The Ultimate Self-Confidence Guide to Nailing That Job Interview
You do not achieve self-confidence simply by what you say but also with how you craft your answers and present yourself. To create an overall impressive and lasting impression, here are things you need to prepare to eloquently and effectively show off your talents during a job interview.
Be on time.
Arriving on time or maybe even a few minutes earlier than your scheduled interview shows commitment. It also shows respect for your and the hiring manager's time.
Dress appropriately and comfortably yet professionally.
How you present yourself creates a first impression for the hiring manager. It's always best to make an effort with your appearance. Whether you're attending an in-person or online interview, choose clothes that make you look and feel good. Interviewers might misconstrue discomfort as a lack of confidence.
Research your prospective industry and potential company's culture to guide you with your outfit choices. If they subscribe to casual-every day, it would be suitable to dress in a relaxed yet tasteful ensemble versus a serious pantsuit. Preparing ahead can also prevent wardrobe malfunctions.
Come prepared.
Demonstrate your attention to detail by asking your recruiter for any documents you should bring on interview day. Better yet, have your portfolio and an extra copy of your resume handy to be prepared for any circumstances.
You might think online interviews require less preparation, but you should seize this opportunity to impress your employer, albeit virtually. Here are three critical tips to keep in mind:
- Choose an area in the house where your WiFi is the strongest. Lagging and disconnection issues may cost you your job, especially if you are vying for a work-from-home position. If you live with family and have faulty internet connection tendencies, ask family members to disconnect some of their devices first for the duration of your interview. Cover your bases with a backup connection, such as your phone’s hotspot or a portable WiFi device.
- Clean up your chosen space or minimise the clutter in your background. If this is not possible, opt for a clean-looking Zoom background instead. Set it up beforehand and pick a colour that won't blend with what you plan to wear.
- If you have kids, consider asking someone to watch over them first so you have zero distractions during your interview. If this is not an option, prepare activities for your kids beforehand and choose to be transparent to your potential boss. While it may seem like an unfavourable option, you can turn things around by highlighting your qualities as a parent that can benefit the company. Showcase skills such as creativity, negotiation, time management, and multitasking.
Equip yourself.
Coming in prepared with knowledge about the company and the position you’re applying for is one way to showcase your willingness and determination. Look up their philosophy, values, work culture, leadership style, and company goals. Go through their social media accounts and websites, or read through published articles. Diving into what the company is all about can give you an idea of what they want. It can also help you zoom in on strengths that are aligned with the company’s values or goals.
Craft well-thought-of answers.
Practice how to introduce yourself and how to answer sample interview questions. Roleplay with a friend or use JobStreet's interview practice tool to help you analyse your answers and how you can improve them. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Be clear, brief, and comprehensive.
When asked to introduce yourself, start by explaining your current or most recent role and the tasks for which you are/were responsible. Next, summarise the relevant experiences and achievements that have helped shape you for the prospective role. Finish it with why you intend to apply for the position at hand.
When answering questions, steer clear of giving your hiring manager too much information. Instead, focus on information that is relevant to the job description.
- Give concrete examples.
There’s a fine line between sounding confident and being too full of yourself. So instead of just focusing on skills, back them up with concrete examples.
For instance, instead of just saying you're a fast and passionate learner, say this: In my previous job, I managed a sports magazine’s website and its social media account. Though I was not that well-versed in the sports industry nor in social media management, I took on the role with much eagerness. I increased the magazine’s readership by 15% and its social media following by 40%. I invested time to immerse myself in different types of sports by reading, watching, and trying out some that I would enjoy. I also signed up for short online courses to learn more about social media management.
- Focus on your strengths that align with the requirements for the job.
Read the job description, then focus on one or two of the main requirements and let your interviewer know why you are qualified. If customer service is a vital aspect of the job, you can narrate a previous experience to demonstrate your qualifications.
For example, In my previous job as a barista, I had two senior citizen customers who regularly had their breakfast in the coffee shop. They constantly ordered the same thing. Minutes before their usual arrival, I decided to brew coffee in advance. The moment they walk in, I would ask if they’re having the usual so I can immediately heat their bagels and save them time from waiting for their orders. I also made sure to remember their names and make them feel welcomed each time. It was a simple gesture and I found out from my manager that they took the time to leave a heartfelt review on our company’s website. They talked about feeling like they’re always having breakfast at a friend’s house whenever they eat at our branch during my shift. It was very rewarding.
- Keep it natural.
Practising how the interview would go may give you leverage to impress your potential employer as you give more intentional answers. However, remember not to memorise what you intend to say to avoid making it look too rehearsed. You may focus on keywords or key points to serve as a guide for each question, then answer naturally and honestly.
Bonus tip: Not sure what to answer if asked for your expected salary? Try the salary guide and salary calculator to learn more about what you should be earning and how much will be deducted monthly.
Ask the right questions.
Asking your interviewer questions shows how interested you are in the position and the company. But the questions you choose are crucial, if you want them to reveal more about the job.
Questions to ask your interviewer:
- What are the responsibilities under this position?
- What are the challenges in this position?
- What are the common challenges your team faces?
- Is overtime expected?
- What is the company’s management style?
- How would you describe the company culture?
- What do you enjoy most about this company?
- How does the application process go?
Keep a positive mindset.
Sometimes life throws lemons, and some things might not go according to plan. It is a must to stay open and positive and focus on why you want the job and what you can offer the company.
You're not ready to nail that job interview. So, #LetsGettoWork and put your answering skills to the test. Updating your JobStreet profile and don't forget to add #WorkNow to help employers know you are readily available.
Do you want more information on your chosen field? Read more career advice to help equip you for the job. Download JobStreet's app now on Google Play and the App Store for easier access.
