The job market is improving but there is still competition for quality positions. For that reason, it is important to make your mark, maximize your resume, and ace that interview.
Show the interviewer how you can complete the job well and what you have to offer the company, both professionally and personally.
So, how do you land your dream job?
Stay tuned for 6 interview hacks that will help to smash that interview process.
#1: Preparation
In the interview process, it’s hard to predict what the questions might be. Each interview experience differs from day-to-day, and it’s important to stay on top of it.
Preparation beforehand helps you to focus and keep your sights set on landing your dream job.
In the job ad, there should be a list of key skills for the role. Think about how you match up and demonstrate it to them through evidence or detailed descriptions.
In most cases, interviewers will ask you about your strengths and weaknesses, why you want to work for them, or what you like about their company.
According to Grammarly, the most asked interview questions are:
- Tell me about yourself?
- What are your greatest strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Tell me about an achievement you’re really proud of?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- What brought you to [X Company]?
- Tell me a time when a customer or colleague disagreed with you. What did you do?
- What would your boss and colleagues say about you?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Why should we hire you?
If you prepare for more generalized questions like these, it might be easier to think about similar questions.
The answers don’t always have to be perfect. But if you show your initiative that you’ve prepared and done your research, you’ll appear confident and passionate about the role that you’re applying for, and employers will love that!
#2: Research the Company and Industry
Knowing the latest trends in the industry that you’re applying for is an excellent way to show that you’re interested. It shows your willingness to go an extra step to keep updated and get what you want.
Additionally, research the company that you’re applying for. They’ll probably ask in the interview about their company and why you want to work there.
In your research, collate information about the company’s team, goals, products, and services, protocols and procedures, upcoming projects/events, anything that you can find.
Look at their website and their social media. Companies are starting to use social media more and more to grow their online presence.
Think outside the box about how you can find out about them. See if they have any hashtags on Twitter or Instagram and see what people have to say, if anything, about their company.
If you find any gaps about their company, jot these down and you can come back to them later.
#3: Presentation
How you present yourself to the interviewer will have a massive impact, so, how can you do it well?
- Be well organized: Come prepared and have everything that you need ready.
- Be dressed presentably: Most workplaces will have a dress code. Typically for interviews, you should dress smart i.e. suit and tie or shirt and skirt. If you’re applying to fashion jobs, however, make sure that you incorporate your individual style.
- Be punctual: If you turn up late to your interview, it’s already a bit of a red flag for the interviewer, but if you can take accountability for your actions, you still have a chance of turning it around.
#4: Evidence
How do you show employers what you have to offer them?
If you’re in a creative industry, you might have a portfolio. If you’re in analytics, sales, or finance, you might have a set of statistics.
It shows the employer that you can get the job done. You can demonstrate to them what you’ve achieved or created and how you can apply this to the role that you’re interviewing for.
Note: You can excitingly present statistics – show them that you’re organized and have taken the time to carefully prepare visual representation for them.
#5: Ask Questions
One of the worst things that you could possibly do if they ask you if you have any questions is to say “no”.
The employer wants to know you’re interested in the company and the role.
You want to ask some meaty questions that your employer can give a longer answer to than just “yes” or “no”.
If you’ve already prepared your research about the industry and the company, then this process should be a little easier. If you noticed that there was anything that was missing and noted it down, you can now ask the employer about them.
Sometimes, some questions can appear too trivial, but you should always ask. It’ll give you clarity on the subject and will help you be more prepared moving forward.
Here are some ideas of what you could ask the interviewer:
- If you could create the ideal person for this role, what would that look like?
- At the end of the interview, you could ask if they believe that you have some of these traits.
- What are some challenges that the company is facing right now?
- Using the word ‘challenges’ demonstrates that you’d be willing to help them tackle some of these challenges.
- Do you have support or training programs for employees?
- It shows your excitement to learn, progress, and gain new skills. It’s not only a display of professional development, but also personal development, and positively reflects on you as a person.
- What would be expected of me in the first month of employment?
- You might want to know what a typical working day is like, whether it’s repetitive, or whether it differs from one day to the next. It’s also a chance to get to know whether you think that you’re the right fit.
- What do you enjoy most about working here and if you could change anything, what would it be?
- This will help you to gauge what someone who would be in your position thinks about the company. It’ll get the interviewer to think about how to present the company to you.
#6: Follow-Up
So, once the interview has been conducted and you’re now home, should you just wait for them to get back in contact with you?
No. Send them an email about how you appreciated their time. Keep it simple.
What should you include?
- Thank them for considering you as a candidate and taking the time to meet with you.
- Tell them what you liked about the day i.e. the position, the company.
- Tell them that you look forward to hearing from them (It shows that extra little bit of confidence).
- Wish them well.
Conducting yourself in a follow-up email is a great way to leave a lasting impression.
Conclusion
If you follow these top 6 Interview Hacks, then you’ll be sure to make a good impression and show them that you’re the right candidate for the job.
Good luck!
Image by Public Co.