How to prepare for a job interview

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Job interviews are typically your first chance to present your whole self to a company, so you want to put your best foot forward. It's time to impress your future employer with your experience and personality!

In addition to having great responses to the interviewer's questions and dressing to the nines, you need to think about...

1. Your "Likability" Factor

People want to hire people they like and think they could work with, for obvious reasons. So, your likability level is a huge factor in the job interview/hiring process.

Employers want to know you'll fit in with their "tribe" of employees. They don't want to throw off their company culture by hiring someone who's not a good fit.

Take steps to build rapport with your interviewer and meet people within the company. You'll stand out in the hiring process even before you go in for an interview if you've already connected with a few employees on LinkedIn.

2. Your Ability To Communicate Thoughts Effectively

Woman communicates her answers effectively in a job interview

When answering interview questions, it's important to communicate your thoughts clearly and confidently. Otherwise, you risk sounding unprepared or unconfident.

During job interviews, be concise and convey confidence when you speak. This is especially important when answering behavioral interview questions.

Remember, though, you want to come across as self-assured and humble, not overconfident and cocky. The best way to do this is by following the "Experience + Learn = Grow" model. Learning how to answer interview questions with this framework will help you effectively communicate why you're a great fit for the position, both in terms of experience and personality.

3. Your Body Language

Man has negative body language during a job interview

Communication isn't limited to speech. You need to be aware of your body language too. If you're fidgeting, swiveling in your chair, slouching, or not making eye contact with your interviewer, it can make you seem unconfident and even untrustworthy.

Doing a mock interview with a trusted colleague is a good way to practice your answers to interview questions and perfect your body language. Are you sitting up straight? Are you making enough eye contact?

Your mock interviewer can give you feedback on what to work on so your body language doesn't send the wrong message on the big day.

So, be aware! Don't waste this precious opportunity to impress a potential employer. Make sure you go into job interviews knowing what you're doing!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Things You DON’T Think About During …

Understanding how to prepare for a job interview is critical to your success in the job search process. One of the most important parts of preparing is the 24 hours prior to the actual interview. How you spend the last 24 hours could greatly impact your performance in the interview.

A job interview isn't like taking a test in school because you can't just cram at the last minute and "luck into" success. You should have been preparing for the interview over the course of multiple days or weeks. The 24 hours prior to the interview should be for making the final preparations and relaxing.

With that in mind, here are some tips for how to utilize the day before your job interview:

Take The Day Before The Interview For Yourself (If You Can)

Young professional takes some time to relax the day before her interview

If you have personal time that you can take at your current job and can take it without causing too much disruption, then you should consider taking the day before your job interview off. The benefit of doing this is that it's one way to eliminate potential stress going into the interview. It also frees up time so you can make your final interview preparations and relax, which are two of the most important factors heading into the job interview.

Depending on how an individual's schedule works, some people may work the day before their interview in order to take the day of the interview off. In fact, taking time off may not be an option at all. Having the day off before the interview isn't essential; you just need to make sure you create enough time for your final preparations so you can get into the right state of mind.

But, if you're one of the lucky ones who has the personal time, consider taking it. It will make the lead-up to your interview a lot easier.

Review Everything

Young professional does a mock interview with her friend

All of the heavy research about the opportunity should already be done. The last 24 hours should be for a light review of information. You should also go over common interview questions and behavioral interview questions.

Hopefully, your interview preparation included a mock interview or two. If you have time to fit one in the day before, you should give it a shot. Make one final checklist of the things you should know going into the interview. If you check all the boxes and feel good, call it a day and relax!

Do Something For Yourself

Job seeker listens to music and takes some time to relax in the hours leading up to her job interview

If you're lucky enough to have the day off before your job interview and you've finished your preparations early, you probably have some time to yourself. So, do something you enjoyâjust don't go wild.

Working out at the gym, reading a book, watching a movie, and cooking are some great things that you could do in the hours leading up to an interview because they aren't overly stressful and many people find them relaxing.

Whatever activity you decide to do, make sure it's something you enjoy but isn't anything over strenuous. You want to be in a good place mentally and physically going into the interview.

Get A Good Night's Sleep

Before you call it a day, there are just a few more things that you should check on before going to bed.

Make sure you have an outfit picked out and ironed for the next day and that your alarm clock is set to the correct time. Give yourself some extra time in the morning to get ready, eat breakfast, and arrive at the interview early.

Once you're confident in your morning routine, go to bed! The night before a job interview is not a good time to stay up late. You'll want all eight hours of sleep so you can be rested and focused in the morning. You want to be fully engaged during your interview, not yawning.

Because there are so many factors that go into interviewing, following these steps doesn't guarantee success. However, following them will at least have you in a good state of mind going into the interview, which will allow you to give your best effort. Whether the interview is a success or you fall short, you'll learn something valuable and, ultimately, be a better professional for it.

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

How To Prepare In The 24 Hours …

You're familiar with the feeling: your palms start sweating, you start to shake and for some reason, your mind goes completely blank. Sounds like a dreaded case of interview jitters!

Nerves can bring even the most professional candidate to their knees, impeding their chances of securing the job, even if they're the most qualified.

If you know that you're prone to nerves, make sure you take the necessary steps to control themâbefore you step into the interview room, not after.

Here are a few helpful tips on how to overcome interview nerves:

1. Be Prepared

Nerves are often triggered by anxiety. It's common to worry that you won't know the answer to a particular question in the interview, or that you won't have the necessary knowledge to wow your prospective employer.

You can help alleviate this concern by doing your research. Predict possible interview questions and make sure you know the answers. Feeling well-prepared can help calm your anxiety.

2. Sleep Well

It might be tempting to soothe your worries with several glasses of wine the night before. While this may feel good at the time, it certainly won't the next day. Have a relaxing bath, avoid too much alcohol, eat well, and get a good night's sleep.

3. Think Ahead

To save yourself time worrying in the morning, lay out your best suit, make sure you've already purchased your train tickets or petrol, get some money out if you need to buy lunch, and make sure all your time in the day is spent focusing on the important taskâpreparing for that interview.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

If you're really anxious, ask a trusted friend or family member to perform a "test" interview on you the day before, also known as a mock interview. You'll get a chance to practice your performance and also receive some valuable feedback.

5. Stay Positive

Confident man on laptop prepares for his next job interview

Remember, you can do this. You're qualified for the job, you've got some great credentials, and you've got the necessary experience.

This company is just as lucky to be interviewing you as you are to be interviewed by them! Boost your self-confidence by telling yourself that it's in your power to get this job. You can do it.

And In The Interview Itself...

Young woman shakes hands with the hiring manager before a job interview

If you feel your heart start to race and your forehead break out in a sweat, take a deep breath. Remember, the people interviewing you want you to succeed. They're desperately seeking the right person to join their company, and they're really hoping that you're that person.

If you start to feel nerves getting the better of you, ask for a moment to pause and gather your thoughts. If necessary, be honest with your interviewers, and explain to them that you're feeling nervous because the job matters a lot to you.

It's likely that they'll understand; after all, they're human too, and they've probably experienced nerves at some point in their lives.

Take it slow and steady and keep reminding yourself that this is your job. You can achieve it!

We hope these tips will help calm your nerves and ease any interview anxiety you may be experiencing.

Remember though, it's okay to be nervous; that means the job opportunity means A LOT to you. Whenever we embark on a new and exciting journey, our nerves let us know we're on the right path.

Now, with that in mind, go out there and ace that interview!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship