So you landed an in-person job interview. Congratulations! This is an exciting next step, but it can also be a bit nerve-wracking. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can use to ace the job interview and land the position. Here’s what to know.
Are You Ready For Your Interview?
Find Out Who’s Interviewing You
When setting up your interview, ask who your interviewer will be. This will help you frame your responses to questions. For example, if you’re meeting with your potential direct boss, you can delve into more job-specific details and jargon. But if you’re meeting with someone from HR, that person might not be as familiar with exactly what you do. So you should give more global responses in plain English.
Be Prepared
Plan ahead. Determine your route and how long it will take, and then leave yourself 15 extra minutes. Dress one level up from how you would dress on the job. For example, if you’re applying for a warehouse position that allows jeans, wear khakis and a polo shirt to the job interview. Make sure you have everything you need, including a pen and a copy of your resume.
Build Rapport
Ultimately, people want to work with people they like. So let your natural personality shine through. Strive to create a two-way dialogue, complete with appropriate jokes and natural mannerisms. Don’t overdo it, and be careful to remain professional. Inject just enough personality to help the interviewer see you as a likable, easy to work with a human being.
Pretend You’ve Never Heard the Questions Before
Interviewing for a job sometimes means going through a phone screening and then two or three rounds of interviews. You’re likely to hear very similar questions each time. But if you want to land the position, it’s important to be just as enthusiastic the fourth time you answer a question as you were the first. You may be interviewing with different people who didn’t hear your first answer, or the company might be checking for consistency in your responses.
Focus on the Employer
It’s important to be confident, but remember it’s not all about you. Your goal is to explain how your background and skills will benefit the company. So try to frame all responses from that perspective. When deciding which stories to tell, think about situations that would directly relate to the job at hand. Of course, you’re also trying to decide whether the job is the right fit for you. So don’t be afraid to ask hard questions.
Ready for a New Position?
If you’re ready to jumpstart your career, Pirate Staffing can help. Take a look at our open opportunities or simply submit your resume today!
