How to survive an interview and get the job
Attending a job interview can be intimidating as you want to make a good first impression with your potential new employer. Many people can overthink the situation and complicate it when they don’t need to, however, we’re here to give you the most simple and best advice to prepare and nail a job interview.
Be Prepared
Firstly, it is crucial that you thoroughly prepare for your interview as the employer may ask difficult questions to catch you out. Being able to think about multiple questions they could ask, and preparing some great answers, will give a good indication to the potential employer that you can handle yourself when under pressure.
Quick thinking is a great asset to have and the majority of employers like this skill, so be sure to prepare yourself for any question they may ask - think outside of the box. Furthermore, it’s essential that you research into the company thoroughly as this shows that you’re up to date with the company’s latest ongoings.
For example, you could check out what their current projects are and what kind of clients they work with. Having this knowledge shows the employer that you’re resourceful but also impresses them with the amount of time and effort you have put into your research of the company. If you know who will be interviewing you from the company, have a look at their LinkedIn profile to try to research them and gain a wider context ahead of the interview.
Be Confident
Confidence is always key to meeting new people, especially when it comes to a job interview. It's essential to put your best foot forward in these situations as it gives you the upper-hand in the meeting. Bragging may come across to some employers as arrogant, however, if you are able to back up your confidence with proven work then you should not think twice in making sure the employer is aware.
Your job in the interview is to persuade the employer why they should hire you, so you need to show excitement when talking about your current job role and show eagerness and willingness to carry on learning more about it to further improve your skill set. If you’re lacking in confidence and start fidgeting then this type of body language may be noticed.
It’s difficult to shake these habits off but once you have a solution to resolve this, you will be fine. If you think you don’t have any fidgeting habits, then think again - most people don’t recognise their own nervous tendencies as it’s a part of their natural behaviour. This is something that we work with our clients on as part of our job interview coaching service, learn more about this by clicking the link.
Also, keeping natural eye contact throughout the entire interview will look good to the employer as it helps establish a stronger level of communication. You need to appear focused throughout the whole meeting, and direct eye contact shows that you’re engaged with the current conversation.
Be Positive
We’ve talked about confidence, but combine that with some positivity and you will be flying! Positivity is undervalued enormously in society, and employers don’t see it enough. They love it when a potential employee lifts them with their positivity and enthusiasm for a job role. It makes them feel excited and encouraged to bring you in as they think this person will fit well in their working environment.
Using the correct body language throughout the interview is a great way of communicating to the employer as it can impact the message you’re trying to get across. Ensure your posture appears confident throughout the interview, for example, when you walk into the room make sure you push your shoulders back, then when you sit down sit up straight and keep your feet flat on the ground.
Posture is great but what steals the show is your facial expressions. Entering the interview with a huge smile on your face whilst introducing yourself screams confidence to the employer and sets the tone for the rest of the meeting. Keeping a positive attitude throughout is key to being successful in an interview and it will be what the interviewer is looking for too.
They will most likely have picked you for a meeting because they’re interested in what you have to offer, so showcasing enthusiasm and positivity towards your work and the working relationships you have developed over time will look great to them.
If you can have the right balance of confidence and positivity whilst showcasing your skills, then we can assure you that you’ll have a great chance at nailing the job interview, and coming out of it with the job you want.
Remember, your interviewers have likely been through a lengthy and time consuming process that is chock full of interviews. Give them a breath of fresh air and help make your time with them as positive as possible.
Be Presentable
A great first impression always counts, so make it last. It’s the simple things that make a good impression on people, for instance being punctual on arrival to your interview. If you are a few minutes late for your meeting it is an immediate red flag so by arriving there 5 or 10 minutes early will ensure you are off to a good start.
Next, dress appropriately and accordingly. Your aim is to appear professional, so by dressing smart only increases your chances of appearing well-dressed to the employer. If you turn up dressed casually, some employers could be fine with this but to be on the safe side we recommend you dress smart casual.
Furthermore, having your essentials at hand neatly organised and accessible will further show to the potential employer that you’re ready and prepared on command. If you begin to start searching in your bag/briefcase for what they’re looking for, this will appear untidy and disorganised to them.
Another great way to be presentable is by making the first move. You may be in the employers office and expect them to shake your hand first, but not doing this and offering your hand first looks great towards the employer as it shows you’re excited to be there.
We hope you enjoyed reading our blog on how to survive and get a job at an interview. If you're nervous for an upcoming interview or would like help writing a CV then check our individual consultancy services for writing and interview coaching.
