Job Interview Tips: 15 Ways to Get Hired Faster

Your hands are cold and sweaty. You can’t come up with anything. It’s happened to you.

This can be addressed with a few great job interview tips. This guide won’t leave you with any softball or ambiguous answers you’ll forget about the following day, but real answers you can take action on today.

You will be taught how to prepare for the interview, how to conduct yourself during the interview, and how to act afterwards. Each tip is simple. Each one works.

They are NOT short cuts, or “tricks.” It’s the little things that they see time and time again. You’re not just guessing when you step in when you do get them right.

These job interview tips work whether it’s your first interview or your fifteenth.

Let’s get started.

Before the Interview

Before most folk even get in front of the door, most not only lose their job, but the job of tomorrow as well. They don’t have to do any preparation work. Don’t be like the majority of people.

Job Interview Tips: Research the Company First

If you have 20 minutes, check out the company’s website. Check out their “About” page. Check to see if they’ve received news recently.

Be sure to look them up on social media, too. What is it they’re posting about? What seems to be of interest to them?

This is a lot of such little! If asked by the interviewer, you’ll have a real answer to the question, “Why do you want to work here?”

Highlight the Key Points in the Job Description

Print off the job opportunity. Emphasize the desired skills they want.

Now find a match for each skill for something YOU have done! Write 1 sentence about each. This will be your Answer Bank.

The key with the job description is that it’s a cheat sheet. Use it.

Plan Your Outfit Ahead of Time to Reduce Stress

Clothes will be picked the previous night. Certainly not something you want to do first thing in the morning!

Outfit one notch higher than what the company’s normal attire would be. If your staff are in jeans, you’re in slacks! If they are in business casual, then you are in a suit.

Practice in Front of a Mirror, Video Camera, or Friends

If you don’t practice out loud, you can’t practice out loud!

Thinking through answers is NOT answering orally. While talking, your brain is different.

Go to a mirror. Record yourself using the cell phone. Have a friend practise questions with you!

• It’s important to rehearse your opening of your speech
• Practice your answer to the question “Tell me about yourself”
• 1 story for each of the key skill(s) listed in the job posting

Job Interview Tips for the Big Day

The day before and the day on which the interview takes place are of great importance, as is the day of the interview.

Arrive Early, But Not Too Early

Arrive 10 minutes early. Not 30. Don’t be too early, because it will make a bad impression on the interviewer.

Log in 5 minutes before the interview time (virtual interviews). Try out the camera and microphone.

Ensure All the Necessary Paperwork Is in Order

Have several CVs with you. Carry a pen and paper with you. Have a list of questions you wish to ask.

Over the course of the night, put everything in a folder. One less hassle to deal with in the AM!

Relax for a While Before You Leave the House

Do 5 slow inhales and 5 slow exhales before going in to the building. Retract/close shoulder blades. Stand up straight.

Key takeaway: Your body will send a relaxed message to your brain when your body is relaxed.

Nerves are normal. Everyone feels them. It’s not about killing them! The aim is to control the management of them.

Words and Phrases That Can Come in Handy During the Interview

It is the aspect to which most people are concerned. When it’s approaching, here is what you need to do about it.

Use the STAR Method for Tough Questions

STAR is an acronym that stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. It provides you with a structure for answering your questions.

• Situation: Write down the situation in one sentence
• Task: Give the explanation of what you had to do
• Action: Give details of what you did
• Result: Give the result, if possible a number

This approach can be used for nearly all behavioural questions. Do this over and over again until you feel like you can do it.

Keep Short Answers Short

Allow 1-2 minutes to respond to each question. Too long an answer will lose the interviewer’s interest.

If they want to learn more about it, they will ask additional questions. Trust that.

How to Respond to “Tell Me About Yourself”

This question does NOT ask for you to discuss your life story. Don’t stray away from your job.

Use this structure to answer: where you’re at now, how you got there, and why you would want this job. Three short parts. Total time of 30-60 seconds.

The Weakness Question Is Not One We Should Panic About

Choose an authentic versus a pseudo problem, such as “I work too much.” Next, show them what you’re doing about this.

For instance, “I would not like public speaking, but became a part of a club where I practice speaking, and now I do team meetings in my area every week.”

Tips and Tricks for Body Language and Delivery

Your words are important! It’s important how you say it also.

Eye Contact and Posture Is Appropriate

Sit up straight. Maintain good posture, back straight and shoulders. Make eye contact with the interviewer when talking and listening.

When using video, look at the camera, not the screen. This makes it look like you are looking in each other’s eyes!

Listen First, Then Speak

Do not give an answer to a question which is not completed. Stop and pause 2 seconds after they have stopped talking.

The pause creates more of an impression that you are thinking. It will also help you to structure your answer.

After the Interview

Most candidates cease to try after the interview is over. In just a few more minutes!

Send a Thank-You Email Within 24 Hours

Keep it short. Please be sure to express your thanks for their time. State one particular thing that you discussed. Re-check to ensure you’re still interested in the position.

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Always have 2-3 questions. Shows desire to work in the job.

Good options include:

• “What will you consider to be a success in this role after 6 months?”
• “What are the greatest difficulties in these situations?”
• “What is the best thing about your work?”

Job Interview Tips for Your Virtual Interview

Interviews are getting more virtual, so here are some great tips for your interview.

A medium is now available (video) for further interviews. That’s accompanied by its own set of regulations.

Set Up Your Space

Choose a quiet room that has a simple background. Stare at a window or lamp, well lighted towards you.

Close down any tab or programs that are not necessary. List pop-ups in the middle of your answer distract you.

Test Your Tech Before You Apply

Test camera/microphone and internet 1 hour prior to the call. Don’t wait till 5 minutes before.

Come up with an alternate solution. Know the interviewer’s telephone number in case there is a problem with the video.

Make the Zoom Meeting Feel Like an In-Person Meeting

From head down to toe, wear the same outfit that you would wear to an office visit. It may be necessary to get out of one’s seat during the call.

Sit up straight. Never place hands out of view! It’s the little things like this that help create the impression you give on camera.

Key takeaway: Video interviews are just like in-person interviews.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Interview Preparation

Steer clear of these pitfalls and you’ll be ahead of the majority of candidates.

• Late login or late during the specified period of time
• Discussing a former employer/manager in a negative way
• Providing answers that are a single word and not in-depth
• Not asking any questions at the end
• Having cell phone on during the interview
• Absence from work due to illness, accident or other reasons as appropriate
• Not having a good grasp on the company in advance

Final Thoughts

If you’re not perfect, you will still get the job — don’t be afraid! Attitude of readiness is a must.

Apply these job interview tips prior to the next job interview. Practice your answers. Research the company. Show up ready.

It is the little things that count, and they can really add up! Often, those can be the deciding factors in whether or not you get a job offer or get rejected in the e-mail.

Looking to create a resume that will get you in the door? Take advantage of Careeristiq resume writing and interview coaching and start a job search today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)