Essential Tips For Nailing Your Interview
Interviews can be an exciting, yet anxiety-inducing event. After all, those 20-45 minutes can determine whether you are embarking on a new venture within your career or whether you continue your search for the perfect position. The last thing you want to do is go into an interview blindly. It is crucial that you cross all your I's and dot all your T's before entering, as well as after, an interview. Meaning? Well, there are essential steps to take before and after the interview process to show you are the best choice for the position. Master the following essential tips to nail your interview!
1. Research The Company
Do thorough on the company you are interviewing for. Become familiar with company, its inspiration, values and history. Absorb this knowledge and use it in your interview. Expressing your interest/ knowledge about the companies values will show the interviewer how much interest you really have in the position and the company as a whole.
2. Prepare Beforehand
A few days before your interview, review your resume and have a mock interview (with someone else or solo). Act as if you are at your interview and answering questions that the interviewer would inquire about. Practicing beforehand will help you relax and develop a smooth delivery in your actual interview.
3. Dress Thoughtfully
Be wise about what your wear in an interview. Wear dress pants or skirt that is knee-length or longer. Wear a simple blouse and dress shoes (not too high). Keep your makeup simple, your hair neat and wear minimal jewelry.
4. The One Question You Must Nail
“Why are you the right candidate for this position?” This question may seem daunting but its actually the perfect setup to sell yourself and your skills to the interviewer/ hiring manager. When answering this question you want to include 4 things: that you can a) effectively accomplish the work, b) you will deliver excellent results, c) that you'll really fit in with the team and d) that you’re a better hire than any of the other candidates.
5. Answering The Weakness Question
“What Would You Say Is Your Greatness Weakness?” The worst answer you can give to this question is, “I have no weaknesses”. The answer you give will tell the interviewer a lot about your character. They want to know that you are aware that you make mistakes. Managers know that no one is perfect. They want to know what your weakness is and how you overcome it to get the job done. They also want to know how you’ve handled obstacles in the past and how you will handle them in the future.
6. Body Language
Your body language says a lot about you and it will give insight to the interviewer, as well. Show confidence by having good posture. Sit up, high and straight in your chair. Give good eye contact. Not too much to where you’re staring them down but just enough to show you’re focused and interested in the interview. Lean in when listening to the interviewer. This is shows that you are engaged in the conversation. Lastly, smile and show enthusiasm- give the impression that there is nowhere else you’d rather be.
7. Follow-up Promptly
Before you leave the interview, ask the interviewer what happens next, this way you’ll know the appropriate time to follow up. If the interviewer says they'll be contacting candidates within a week, you should follow up a few days after that. You don’t want to be annoying or pushy, but you want to be on the interviewers mind and show them you’re continual interest in the position.
After following these tips on nailing your interview, get ready to take on your new dream job!
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These are great tips. A lot of us women looking for jobs will definitely benefit from this post, especially when you’re determined to get that position. Thanks for the tips!
By the way, I love your ensemble. Looks really girly and classy 🙂
Oh, Heidi, you actually nailed that look! I so love it, the whole outfit looks really fun, feminine and yet still maintain professionalism. That’s the look I would love exude when I get interviewed for a job interview. Thank you so much for the tips, by the way, very useful.
Thanks for the tips Heidi. I am actually surprised with the last one, following up promptly. I never thought of doing that after every job interview. Usually, if the interviewer tells me they’ll contact me if I got in, I’ll just wait for their call. And if I hadn’t received from them, I will just have to accept the fact that I wasn’t lucky. Maybe I should try your tip, then. THanks so much.
Oh, I just want to say, you look dashing in green!
I love this tips, really helpful and useful in the future. Thankie much, Heidi, as always!
I’m grateful for the tips, these would surely come in handy when I finally get that job interview I’ve long been waiting for. Will update you when that happens! Thanks!
I have applied to countless numbers of job opportunities and I’m going to take note of everything you listed here so I can be prepared for that coveted final interview. Thank you so much for this very valuable post, Heidi.
I love that gorgeous flower-printed skirt and green blouse. What a perfect summer combo!
These are great tips, I’m sure a lot of us will benefit from these. Will forward this to my daughter who’s been looking for jobs since last month. Thanks.
Oh, I haven’t really thought about researching the company I am applying at. It’s a big mistake on my part!
Oh, this question – “Why are you the right candidate for this position?” is definitely something I always had a hard time answering. I’ll take note of your tips and include those 4 things that will ultimately nail my interview. Thanks!
Usually when I am asked about my greatest weaknesses, I answer “chocolates!” You’d actually think that was inappropriate but based on my past experiences, my answer usually brought giggles and laughter from the interviewer, thus making our Q&A tolerable, fun and not boring at all. When all the laughter subsides down, that’s when I have already thought of an appropriate answer.
Researching the company you are applying at is definitely a must. One should be aware of the company’s reputation and history to have an idea about how they operate and treat their employees. Researching is considered one of the basic essentials in job hunting.
Great tips! I’m sure our ladies here will definitely nail their interviews. What a lovely dress you’re wearing, by the way!
I think I have to work on my body language, I’m quite the timid type, I often look down on my feet when being asked during interview. I know that’s bad, I should keep eye contact with the interviewer. Maybe I need this post to remind me what I lack and what I should do properly the next time a new promising job interview arises.
If I could only pull off that look, maybe I can nail every interview I’ve been applying for. You look absolutely stunning in every outfit you wear!
I haven’t really thought about those questions when I do interviews. Thanks so much for this Heidi, very helpful, indeed!
Oh, such a lovely skirt you’re wearing, i love it!
I’m very much thankful for this post, I’m actually having an interview in the next two days and these questions you posed will definitely get my brain thinking. Again, thanks for being so helpful!
I wish I’ve read this before I got that interview 2 weeks ago. I flunked mine, by the way, because I didn’t prepare and I got scared of the big guy in front of me who was doing the interview. My bad.
Thanks for all these effective tips. Now my dream job is no longer out of reach!
Wow Heidi, I didn’t realize green looks great on you. I have seen you in different colors and everything looks really gorgeous on you!
Allow me to comment about your bag, I really really like it. So professional looking, at the same time, chic and stylish!
Wow! Just walking down the street, you look mighty fine and gorgeous! I love the overall look, so summery!
Wow, simply gorgeous! Love the ensemble and also all the tips you shared, very essential indeed!
these are very feasible and effective tips, I’ve actually done most of them whenever I do job interviews. It’s great to see these kind of helpful posts that us girls will surely learn from.
Somehow I’ve always dreaded the interview part whenever I go look for jobs. I don’t have that much confidence when I am already in front of the interviewer. My friends insist a really well-thought outfit would help boost my confidence so I may as well try it the next time I get interviewed. THanks for the wonderful tips!
I love the floral skirt, very feminine and sexy!
Love the outfit you’re wearing, very very stylish! I would love to wear that ensemble when I go to work too!
From head to foot, you look utterly beautiful! I have no more words… 🙂
Thank you so much for this tips, I badly need encouragement since I’ve been going to job interviews lately.
I think everyone’s really anxious whenever we face potential job interviews. I myself feel nervous every time I get a call for an interview. So thanks so much for this wonderful article of yours, Heidi, very much appreciated!
What a cute outfit! I love the flowery prints on your skirt, perfect for the outdoors, too!
I couldn’t pull off an outfit like that, especially since my waist line had expanded. I’m so jealous of sexy gals like you, but my pops and friends always tell me, there’s nothing more sexy than being confident of oneself. So I’d better get my gears ready and take on that step to confidence and believe that I can pull off a good look as well as pass that elusive job interview. Thanks so much Heidi!
I’m a firm believer of being prepared at all times. Researching beforehand about the company you are applying for will surely give you the edge against other applicants and will further give you the boost to be more confident in front of the interviews.
I think it is the questions that will really get me down. I hate questions, I hate finding the right answers.
That’s so chic! The whole outfit plus the bag, I mean. And thanks much for those essential interview tips, really helps!
You’ve covered all there is to know and follow when looking for jobs and facing the job interviewer. Thanks so much for sharing this. And I love the green blouse you’re wearing. Happens to be my favorite color, too!
Love the Prada bag, it’s so elegant!
Now you got me thinking about my weaknesses. These questions sure do some weird things on my head, I am actually running out of words to say. Thanks for these helpful tips.
Lovin’ that girly classy look you exude here, Heidi. Green is definitely your color.
Great tips! This is exactly what I need after a series of rejections. I guess I can say I wasn’t entirely prepared at that time that’s why I never made it. Again, thanks so much for this.
I have to admit, among these tips, I don’t normally prepare for the questions. That is always what I forget or take for granted when having interviews. Guess that’s the reason I always end up nervous and unprepared.
These are great tips, I will surely use them when I get a new interview. Thanks so much!
Thanks for these tips Heidi, once again, you nailed it with this post! I’m lovin’ your green and florals!
You look really gorgeous here Heidi!!
Wow, what a gorgeous elegant woman you are! It’s great to see young and successful woman like you who’s willing to share what they know to other fellows. Keep it up!
I’m glad I read this a few weeks ago, I was able to properly prepare for my interview and have done research for the company I was applying at. Thanks so much for all your valuable help Heidi. You rock!
Interviews make my heart beat so fast, even makes me sweat sometimes. I wonder if my unpreparedness has something to do about it. I’m thankful though for all these tips you shared, it makes me realize my interviw mistakes and shortcomings.
I think I’ve mastered all these tips, and I’m ready for my interview this coming week. Thanks so much and hope you continue doing this advocacy of helping people.
Hi, this is really great, you are giving a lot of good vibes to us readers by sharing your views and tips for job interviews and the like. Great job!
Following up promptly? ah that’s the one thing I always do after an interview. I am always eager to know how I fared or if I get accepted. I guess sometimes I need to slow down a little, eh?
I think I still need to think of the right answer to the question whether I am the right candidate for the job. Hmm… now you got me thinking really hard…
You’re really looking fierce and pretty here, Heidi! I love it!
Ooooh, I want that skirt! So cute!
Thank you so much for sharing your tips. This will help a lot. There are times when I thought I could never face an interviewer because of my nervous gitters, but I really need to overcome it and be prepared when my time comes for that coveted interview. Thanks again.
If only I could walk down the street looking as gorgeous as you, oh man! I think I’m gonna ace that interview if I got your confidence!
Gorgeous!! That’s all I gotta say!
With tips like these ones that you shared, I am sure I will nail every job Interview I have been invited to. I have much confidence in you. Thanks so much!
Hi, it’s me again. I’ve taken to heart this tips you shared a couple months ago and had finally been successful after following them. Yes, I nailed that job interview a few weeks ago and now I’m enjoying the life of employment. Told you I’ll update when I get this job. Yay! Thanks so much for all the help!
Interviews are indeed nerve-wracking especially when you aren’t prepared. This post of yours is great and helpful. Will be sharing this to my co-workers.
I gotta admit, this is my first time to do/attend a job interview and I’m as nervous as hell. Thanks so much for this very useful guide! I love all the tips!
Interviews always make me nervous and scared. I don’t know how to shake off my nerves, I feel like the interviewers are always bound to find fault in me. I hate interviews.. It’s really crazy!
OK to begin with, stay calm and don’t stress. Stress shines through and the employer can tell you’re not at ease. Stay calm and be confident. You’ll do great!!
You.Are.So.Gorgeous!
You. Are. Too. Kind. 🙂
If only I got the confidence to answer questions/interviews without flinching or shaky nerves. I need to work on that first, I think. Thank you for all these, though, really appreciate them all.
Heidi, yYou’re really beautiful, have I told you that? Thanks for this essential tips, btw, it’s very helpful and useful! Will see to it that I’ll follow them when I get to my interview soon.
These are all what we need to do when we are aiming for that successful interview. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I hope to follow them by heart so I can finally land on that job I’ve been wanting to have.
To practice by doing some mock interview is a great interview. It will prepare me to be more confident and at ease in front of the real ones.
Why am I the right candidate for the position? Oh my, I haven’t thought about this question. Thank you for sharing this post, I am going to be interviewed in the next couple of days and I want to be fully prepared. Again, thanks for this!
I think my advice would just be “Be yourself”. You can go a long way and shine from among other applicants if you’ll let your true self show and send off a positive energy. The interviewer can easily detect it.
I know interviews are crucial when looking for jobs. I just can’t shrugged off the nerves and butterflies in my stomach when I’m going to be interviewed. I will take on these guides you listed and will update you how everything happens when I finally had mine.
This is so inspiring I have to strive harder to be able to nail that job interview I’ve been rooting for. Thank you
This was such an insightful article. I love the advice you give for preparation as well including tips for the actual interview, it’s great for practise for the big day! We recently published an article on our blog discussing this, we would love to hear your thoughts: https://www.silkarmour.co.uk/blogs/saj/115900035-7-golden-rules-of-success-for-the-perfect-job-interview
Great tips, and very essential indeed! I’m gonna use these tips for when I do another job interview soon. Thank you!
You look absolutely smashing here, Heidi! Would love to have a lady boss like you 🙂
You look pretty amazing Heidi!! Love the green color on you!
I really love the way you dress, Heidi.. So sophisticated yet very pretty too!
You are a life saver! I’ve taken note of these tips when I was preparing for an interview a couple of months ago.. Thank you so much for all these!
Love love love your outfit here, Heidi! So chic and fab!