5 Tips for a successful interview

You polished your resume, applied for some jobs, and now you have an invite to interview. Congratulations! Below are interview tips for a successful interview to help you get the job offer.

1. Prepare by researching the company

Take the time to browse the company’s website and become familiar with its history. A successful job interview is dependent on having knowledge of the company, the job requirements, and the background of the people interviewing you. Google the company and the job you’re applying for—oftentimes you can find personal accounts or reviews of a similar job so you can see certain tasks that may be asked of you. Or, you may find some background information on who you may interview with. The more you understand about the job and the company, the better prepared you’ll be to answer the interview questions and impress the hiring manager.

2.What to wear to an interview: How to dress to impress

First impressions are important, and you want to showcase your professionalism when you first walk into the interview. Wear an outfit that fits the company and its culture. It’s good to avoid casual clothing or clothing that doesn’t fit you well (either too tight or poorly fitted). Your outfit should be cleaned and ironed. Wear proper, preferably unscuffed shoes—sandals or sneakers should be avoided. Until you see the culture of the company, it’s a good idea to cover up any tattoos and remove visible piercings. What to wear to an interview is always important for an interview — and it’s always better to err on the side of a business-professional look and overdress than to underdress.

3. Recruit a friend to help you prepare for an interview: Role play for success

Having a friend ask you interview questions and practicing your answers out loud is an incredibly effective way to prepare for an interview. You’ll find you gain confidence as you get used to saying the words and familiarizing yourself to common questions. For example, common interview questions include: “Tell me about yourself,” “How did you hear about this position?,” “Why do you want to work for this company?,” and “Why should we hire you?”

4. Role-play how to answer interview questions

Take a look at the job description and create a list of interview questions and corresponding answers based on what the company is looking for in a solid candidate. If they want an application with extensive customer service, write down examples of your customer service skills. If they’re looking for a worker who doesn’t crack under pressure, think about any challenges you faced in your previous positions and how you overcame them. Ask a friend or relative to sit with you and run through the questions you created. This way you’ll be ready for anything the hiring manager asks you.

5. Lastly, be yourself!

A little nervous during your interview? Stumbling over the interview questions a bit? Don’t sweat it. Everyone’s human and no one is perfect. The hiring manager will likely appreciate your honesty and realness. The last thing potential employers want is for you to be “fake” by trying to be someone you’re not — this isn’t helpful for you or them.

Your success in interviews depends on how much you prepare; how much you research and practice; and the questions you ask that show how you’re truly interested in the job. The more time and effort you spend preparing for an interview, the better your chances are of landing the job, especially if you consider our top 5 tips for a successful interview.