8 Ways to Nail an Interview and Land Your Dream Job

So your resume is set and you finally landed the interview for your dream job, now what? The cliché is true — you never get a second chance to make a great first impression. While it is important to be your authentic self, it’s equally important that you portray your most authentic professional self. Going to an interview isn’t the same as going out with friends, the gym, or to class. Preparation is key in standing out.

Here are the top tips to nail the job interview from hiring pros and to get the dream job!

  1. Proper Grooming: Your interview starts before you even leave your place. According to one study, 33% of bosses know within the first 90 seconds whether they will hire someone. It can take someone about a 1/10 of a second to form an impression of your trustworthiness – and that impression rarely changes later. Making sure your hair and makeup are done professionally are important steps to starting strong. Take the time to put extra effort into polishing your style. Chances are there are multiple candidates for the same job position, so you want to pay attention to the small details to get a leg up.
  2. Dress for Success: Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Try to match your dress style the company and go up one or two steps for the interview. You can get a good idea by looking at the company’s social media channels, website, and even talking to the recruiter or HR manager. It’s OK to show some of your personality and charisma with your clothes, but make sure that it will be a good fit. When it doubt, always go with a suit or professional attire. One survey of over 2000 hiring professionals from CareerBuilder recommend conservative colors such as blue and black. Orange is the worst!
  3. Display Confident Body Language: Non-verbal cues are just as important as verbal cues. Smile confidently, shake hands firmly, and act as though you want to be there. Always be professional and respectful. Project an attitude of enthusiasm and interest. Companies want to hire motivated people that will help everyone around them better people. Show up to the interview 30 minutes early. This will help you relax if you are nervous and give time to wipe the sweat from your hands!
  4. Do Your Research: Know the background and the nuances about the company. Learn the mission and vision and how it aligns with your professional goals. Know the current events of the company. This will help you ask important questions and show that you are interested in what the company does. Also research the position you are applying for. Be prepared to explain concrete examples of how your skills are perfect for the position.
  5. Bring Samples of Your Resume and Work (if applicable): The hiring manager may have seen your resume and portfolio, but others in the interview may have just skimmed your information. Bring copies of your resume and samples of your previous work so they can examine them while you talk. It can also separate you from the other resumes they have to go through.
  6. Avoid Direct Eye Contact: According to body language professionals, holding direct eye contact can be intimidating and intense. Instead, go for “direct face contact” by looking at their nose, forehead and chin every few seconds. This way you can look engaged and interested without drilling awkwardly into the interviewers’ eyes.
  7. Display Active Listening: When listening to the interviewer, it is important to fully focus and concentrate on what they are saying. Be attuned to their feelings and the environment you are in. If you don’t understand something, it is OK to request clarification. Even paraphrasing and summarizing what you heard is a good skill to exhibit. This shows them that you are truly attentive to what they are saying and are enthusiastic to learn more.
  8. Prepare Questions: Nothing is worse than having no questions to ask your potential employers at the end of the interview. After doing research of the company and the job position, come prepared with relevant and credible questions beforehand. Preparing questions will also help you stay on message on your strengths and why you are the best person for the position. During the interview, ask open-ended and probing questions to what the interviewer’s ask or say. This shows that you are able to be responsive to the situation and keep the conversation flowing smoothly. Also be ready for small talk. It’s a way to built rapport and affinity with each other. Having good “chemistry” is an extremely important quality that a resume or an answer to a question can’t reflect.
  9. Blend Confidence and Humility: There is a fine line between being arrogant and confident. You want to show that you are confident in your skills, but also humble enough to know that there is always room for improvement. Nobody wants to hire a know-it-all that will never admit to any mistake. Humility isn’t showing weakness, but an understanding of collaborating with others to add value. Show an eagerness to teach others what you know and learn from others what you don’t know. This will show that you are qualified for the position and also hoping to grow professionally. You don’t want to give the impression that it is all about you, treat people rudely, or be afraid to explain your strengths.

When it comes time to meet the team face-to-face, being prepared will go a long way to showing you have the drive needed to do a high-quality job. Remember, most people will have enough of the qualifications, but someone with passion for the job and enthusiasm for the company are what employers are really looking for.

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