8 Ways to Ace Your Interview

Sometimes interviewing for a job is one of the hardest and nerve racking things you can possibly go through. You are so nervous that you will mess up the interview and not land the job, that you start to question every little thing you say and do. You start to worry about what you will wear to the interview. Then you begin thinking of what they will ask you and how you can answer it without sounding like every other person they will interview for this position. Here are some ways you can make sure you ace your interview and land your dream job!
 

1  Get excited!  

Interviewing for a position is both stressful but also exciting at the same time. Sure the interview process will have you pulling out hair, but you have to stop and embrace the moment. You just got an interview with your dream job! That alone says something about your skills and experiences. Clearly they thought you were talented enough to deserve an interview with them. You have to make sure you are proud of yourself and what you accomplished! If it wasn’t for your stellar resume and cover letter, they wouldn’t have called you back. Good work

2  Do some research:

 Making sure you are prepared for the interview is essential to impress any company or recruiter. They want to know that you did your homework and researched information about not only the position you are applying for but also the company at large. These days, the internet is pretty much our best friend; whether people want to admit it or not, they spend quite a bit of time browsing the internet. So while you’re online, search the company to find out some more information about it. Learn who the CEO is, what year it was founded, and what their motto or key principle is. These are all questions that can come up in your interview. If they don’t come up, than you can use them in your answers to impress your interviewer with the information you already know about the company. Doing your homework is important in order to have a successful interview.

3  Pick your outfit:   

Wearing the right outfit to your interview is an essential way to get the company’s attention. You want to make sure you come off as polished and professional but also you want to make sure that your outfit says a little about yourself. We all have personal style that defines who we are. What we wear everyday is almost a reflection on our personality. You never want to lose your sense of who you are, especially when someone is interested in learning about it. That is why you shouldn’t borrow your friend’s clothes when you are looking for what to wear to your interview. First of all, you won’t be as comfortable in clothes that aren’t yours. When you are at an interview, you want to feel comfortable in what you are wearing, if you’re not than you end up worrying about it instead of focusing on answering questions correctly. Second of all, you shouldn’t borrow friend’s clothes for an interview because they aren’t your clothes! You end up losing your own personal style and a little bit of your personality. You have to make sure that the person who is interviewing you sees all the incredible things about you that make you who you are.

4  Be early:

There is nothing worse than being late to an interview! Yikes! The day before your interview make sure you know exactly where the office is located. It might be a good idea to print off directions or put them into your phone. The day of the interview, leave your house 20 minutes before you think you have to. It is always a good idea to get to your interview at least 15 to 10 minutes earlier. That way it gives you some time to prepare you answers and calm your nerves a little before you go in.

5  Be honest:

It is very important that you are completely honest when you are at an interview. If they ask you if you have a certain skill that you don’t have, don’t freak out and lie. If you tell them that you do have that skill, when you are hired they might ask you to use it! So if they ask you if you are comfortable with the use of Photoshop and you’re not but you say yes, it will get immensely awkward and strange when you have to explain to them later that you actually have no clue how to use Photoshop. Instead you can say that you might not be as proficient as they would like in the use of this program, but you’re a fast learner and excited about the opportunity to become familiar with the program. When you’re honest with someone they respect you for it later.

6  Smile:

Some people think that they have to be all business all the time at an interview. However I think that’s not necessary. You should also smile, laugh and make some jokes. When someone is hiring you for a position, they aren’t only hiring you based on your experiences. They are also hiring you for your personality. No one wants to work with someone that doesn’t know how to lighten up and laugh. If people at work were serious all day, it would make for the most uninviting work atmosphere. Being able to laugh at yourself when you say something wrong in an interview is a good way to show the interviewer your fun and easy personality. Laughter and smiles are what makes a great work atmosphere.

7  Take your time:

If you every feel stumped in an interview or out of words, take a moment to recharge your batteries. Sometimes at an interview you might get asked a question you weren’t expecting and thus not prepared for. It’s okay to stop and let the person interviewing you know you just need a minute to think over the answer. Sometimes it’s better to think about the answer in your head for a second, instead of rambling out an answer that sounds bad. Also don’t forget that they are not the only ones interviewing someone, you are also interviewing the company as you speak with them. If they don’t give you a good impression than you won’t want to work for them if they offer you a position. Always make sure you remember that sometimes interviews can work out just the opposite from what you thought, you might end up not liking the company as much as you thought you would. It’s always important to make sure that you fit into the company you decide to work for. If you can see yourself working there, than you know it’s a good fit.

8  Stay positive!

Being optimistic about the interview is very important! Don’t linger on all the things you said wrong during the interview or think about the things you should have said, instead focus on all the awesome and incredible things you shared with the interviewer. As long as you were prepared for the interview and showed them your true personality, they will seriously consider you for the position.