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Preparing for an interview can be very stressful especially if it’s that job you have been dreaming about and it’s finally within your grasp. While everyone reacts to stress differently, being prepared is the best way to overcome your fears and bring your A game into an interview. As a manager who has done many interviews throughout my career, there are certain things I look for and I expect in an interview. While I do know that mostly everyone shows up with their best foot forward, hiring managers look for candidates who show more initiative and take the time to go the extra mile. When fifty or more applicants are vying for the same job as you are, it’s likely there will be five or more that will be at the top and how you prepare will determine whether you get the job or not. Here are some key preparation strategies to focus on so you can walk confidently into your next interview.

Do Your Research

This goes without saying. If you are applying for a position at a company that you’re not too knowledgeable about, do your research into the company! With access to information so readily available at your fingertips, it’s almost too easy nowadays to find out what companies are about. Google even did the job for you already, all you have to do is remember something valuable that makes the company stand out. How did the company start? What great milestone did it achieve? What sets them apart from the competition? What new initiative or innovation are they working on? These are only a few ideas but walk into the interview knowing something about the company you are trying to work for. 

Another thing to research is about the position you are applying for. With many companies closing and going out of business during the pandemic, most people who lost their jobs are just looking for a new one to make ends meet. Hiring managers don’t want candidates who are only just looking for a job. They want employees that will add value to their organization and help them accomplish their mission. Get to know about the position you are applying for. Know what is required, what will be expected, skills and knowledge that will put you above the rest and what people who work in the field have to say. Walking into an interview without knowing about the company or the position you are going after may speak louder than all the skills and knowledge you bring. Do your research and get informed, this will definitely make an impression in your interview.

Do a Mock Interview Prior

Having a family member or friend do a prep interview with you will help you tremendously as you get ready for your big day.  Make a list of common interview questions that you gather by yourself and from others and then have that person act as the hiring manager while you do what you intend to do in the interview. Not only will this build your confidence, but it will also help you identify areas you need to work on. Are your answers yes and no answers to questions? Do you ramble and speak more than you need to? Do you crouch and seem uninterested? Do you avoid eye contact? Are you too serious and artificial? Ask the person helping you to give you honest and critical feedback and listen to what they say to you. Work on those areas that may be a hindrance to you and practice to get better. I have been in interviews where candidates show up unprepared and lack basic interview skills that could have been avoided had they ask someone to help with doing a mock interview. Be conscious of your body language and how you speak. Coming across as desperate and frantic will hurt your chances while having a monotone voice can mean you’re not that interested. Find the balance of being confident and relaxed, knowledgeable but not arrogant and don’t forget to smile. Smiling in an interview shows warmth and friendliness and that you are a people person. 

Appearance 

While dress codes have changed over the last few years and more people are getting casual in their dressing, how you look when you show up at an interview should be well thought out too. If you are showing up for a business position, dress the part. Don’t take it for granted that because you are well qualified your appearance will be overlooked. Look in the mirror, ask someone else for their opinion or if possible drive by the location of the office and take note how the employees are dressed. I don’t recommend wearing a T-shirt or shorts to an interview even if you paid hundreds of dollars for them and even if you consider them formal wear. Also, try not to wear strong scented perfume or cologne and if possible have a mint before going in. You don’t want the last impression of you to be about a smell when you did everything else right. Arrive at least 30 minutes early for the interview, even if you must sit outside and wait a little. It’s better to have to explain your reason for being early rather than being late due to an accident on the highway. Being on time tells the interviewer that you value timeliness and deadlines. It speaks volumes about how you present yourself.

Review Your Resume/LinkedIn Profile 

Looking at a resume and seeing spelling and grammatical errors are big mistakes that can ruin your chances of landing that dream job. Take time to read every detail on your resume. Use a spell and grammar check and have someone else look it over as well. Managers may view this as a lack of attention to details especially if it’s a part of the job requirement. This is something I see often, and it immediately raises a red flag even before going into the interview. These are little things that can set you apart from the other applicant that is as strong a candidate as you are. 

Another thing that interviewers are looking at is your online presence. Be careful what you are posting on your social media platforms and make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated. Talking negatively about your previous boss on Facebook may not be the ideal thing to do especially when job seeking. Treat your LinkedIn profile as you would your resume and make sure you spell check. 

Prepare Questions for the interviewer 

One of the things that impresses me as a manager is when an applicant comes into the interview prepared to ask questions. Taking the time to prepare questions to ask your potential future boss says a lot about your interest in learning more about the job and the company. It’s also a way to get insight and information as to why they are hiring. Based on their answers, you can figure out the turnover rate, the type of environment you will be working in and how you will be valued in the organization. These questions should be well thought out to gather this type of information that you wouldn’t normally get in the interview since you’re on the other end. Many interviewers want the opportunity for conversation but feel a more question and answer type of atmosphere throughout the process. Giving them the chance to share their views will open new avenues and be opportunities for you to expand on your skills. I would recommend bringing at least three to five questions for the interviewer. 

The truth is – many of the candidates that apply for the job can do it, so ability is not the only factor hiring managers look at. They want to know that you will be a good fit for their team and for the organization. They want to know that you possess more than just the know-how but also the drive, the attitude and how you handle problems. Don’t just rely on your skillset even though you want to highlight your qualifications but let hiring managers know you are flexible, adaptable and willing to go the extra mile. Make your next interview worth their time and yours too.  All the best on that interview!ake