Tip #1 – Know the hiring company

Over time, we have seen even interview candidates that prepare for several days forget to do adequate research on their hiring company. Do not make the same mistake. Ensure that you show up to your interview knowing much about the company you seek to work with.

Interviewers tend to throw a few questions around to see if you know about their company and assess your interests in joining their team. But with adequate research, you can provide articulate, thoughtful responses to these questions and make a great first impression.

Tip #2 – Go over some interviewing practice with mock interviews

Still, on preparations, we recommend that you refine your interviewing skills by practicing over and over again with mock interviews. You can bring in a friend or family member to conduct a test interview to assess your performance. This will show you your weak points, and you can improve them before the big day.

While at it, ensure that your interviewer is honest with you and supportive enough to point out your flaws. Remember, it is not an avenue to boost your ego but to prepare you for the vital task of nailing your interview.

Tip #3 – Go with your confidence

Interviews are stressful and nerve-racking situations, no doubt. Under such unconducive conditions, our nerves tend to get the better of us. But you can avoid this by upping your confidence. How do you do this?

Start by maintaining solid eye contact with your interviewers, rather than allowing your eyes to wander. Intermittent eye contacts are a strong indication of how genuine and confident you are.

Second, portray your positivity with a smile. Smiling as often as possible shows you are pleasant to work with – one of the attributes employers look out for in employees. But it is essential not to overdo this – a boisterous smile can make you appear unserious.

Tip #4 – Ask questions and take notes

Yes, you have already done a lot of research. But chances are you will most likely not uncover everything about the company. This is why you should ask relevant questions to determine what the company culture is like. You should also ask questions if the interviewers mention an ambiguous point. If you come across new facts or revelations about your potential employers, feel free to note them down. Taking notes shows you are observant and paying attention to the whole process.

Tip #5 – Unleash the power of appreciation

Conclude your interview by expressing your gratitude to the interviewers for the opportunity. If possible, you may try to shake the hand of each interviewer. This will depend on the number of interviewers and acceptable behavior. While at it, ensure that your handshakes are firm and warm. You may also ask for a card/email address – this will come in handy in the next tip.

Tip #6 – Do follow-ups

Most interviewees believe the interviewing process ends once they leave their interview venues. This is not true. You must do a proper follow up after the interview. Remember the cards/email address you got in Tip #5? Now is the time for their use!

Send a thank-you note – either via an email or snail mail. This is your first step into following up and must be done within 24 hours of the interview. If you do not get feedback, proceed to call or email the Recruiter and ask them if there are any updates. Do not delay the follow-up process, as you want to be on their mind during the decision-making process.

In Conclusion

While there is no universal manual on approaching or nail an interview, the tips we have offered above will definitely get you the best possible results. They have been carefully compiled by our experienced recruitment experts at Flexible Staffing.

You may also get into the minds of your potential employers by checking our post on how employers hire the most productive employees. We also have a detailed post on how you can make the right first impressions with a potential employer. Good luck!