February 28, 2023 | Posted in Career, job search, Networking, Uncategorized | By

Everyone has seen that scene in the movies where the applicant is stumped at the end, after being asked every question they could possibly have been asked and not having anything to say.

However, this situation happens all too often. The job interview was an opportunity for you to showcase your skills, but more importantly, show potential employers that you are a good fit for the job and company.

If you’re not prepared ahead of time for this crucial meeting, you might as well just give up now. The real question is: what can you do to ensure that your upcoming job interview goes well?

Here are some helpful tips that can help you ace your next job interview:

Be yourself – no matter who you are.

This sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s surprising how many job applicants forget this. You don’t want to come off as some scripted, robotic, perfect-on-paper candidate. Instead, be yourself. During your job interview, you want to be the person you’ve talked to so many people over the years. You want to show the interviewer that you’re someone who is approachable and easy to work with. You don’t want to come off as too “dorky” or too “insecure.”

Your goal is to show the potential employer that you’re not just a name on paper, but that you’re someone who can do the job. So don’t shy away from being a bit goofy, awkward, or even silly at times. These are all signs that you’re a human being and not just a number. And these are all things that potential employers will love to see.

Know the company and the position for which you’re applying.

Although it seems like common sense, it can still happen. You might get so excited for the interview that you forget about this crucial piece of information. When you know the company and the position for which you’re applying, you can better prepare for the job interview.

You’re likely to have questions like “What does the company do?” and “What is my specific role with the company?” You want to be able to answer these questions before you meet the employer. In addition, you want to show that you did your research and are genuinely interested in the job and the company.

If you don’t know an awful lot about the company, position, and company culture, you might come off as uninterested. These are just a couple of things that you don’t want to happen during your job interview.

Don’t take phone calls or emails during your job interview.

This one might seem like common sense, but it happens often enough that we felt it warranted stating.

Leave the phone in the car or in your pocket.

Shake hands and smile when you meet the interviewer.

This should go without saying, but it does happen! You don’t want to come off as snobbish or unapproachable. Show the interviewer that you’re a respectful human being. Show that you shook their hand and smiled warmly when you met them. These things could make a huge difference in how your job interview goes.

Ask thoughtful questions about the job, company, and culture.

During your job interview, you want to show that you’re genuinely interested in the company and the position. In addition, you want to show that you’re someone who has thought about the job, company, and culture. Try to ask questions that show that you’ve done your research on the company and the job.

This will help you come off as a knowledgeable and thoughtful person. You don’t want to ask information-free questions or ones that might come off as you’re trying to find something to ask about. You want to show the interviewer that you’re a person who genuinely shows interest in the company, job, and culture.

Be honest about your experience and skills.

You don’t want to lie during your job interview. You want to be honest about your experience, skills, and personality. This is what will make you a good fit for the job. In addition, you don’t want to leave out skills that might be helpful for the job or experience relevant to the company. You don’t want to come off as dishonest or sneaky.

Instead, think of this as an opportunity to highlight skills that might not be on a resume. You want to show potential employers that you are a self-directed, self-motivated person. This is a person who can make good decisions and figure things out on their own while still being directed and coached by a manager. You don’t want to leave out this type of person.

Conclusion

Job interviews are nerve-racking, but they can be a great opportunity to show employers what you’re made of. If you are prepared ahead of time, you have a much better chance of impressing the hiring manager. While you don’t have to be a perfect candidate, you should definitely be prepared. Employers want to know that you’re genuine and genuine candidates.

So, be yourself and know what the company and position is for which you’re applying. Don’t be too shy or uncomfortable. Show employers that you’re a genuine person and someone who can do the job. Be honest about your experience and skills, and don’t lie about who you are and what you are made of.

More about Bernie…

Senior Director, Consumer Media Group at Confluent Health – Growth marketing focus on brand awareness, interest and new patient acquisition to our 44+ partner brands and 530+ locations across the US. Accountable for driving yearly business results supported by our consumer strategy and direct-to-consumer roadmaps. The Media team is responsible for owned and paid media as it relates to performance marketing, campaign management, partnerships, website development & support, search engine optimization, relationship marketing, Yext (Google My Business) support, recruiting, email marketing and supporting our partners at the local level.

Chief Cheese – Strategy & Engagement at B2The7 – Helping brands Reach, Retain & Regain customers with Omni-Channel data-driven strategies and tactics that focus on increasing sales, transactions, comps and customer engagement.

B2The7 Photography – Sharing experiences with photography: nature, landscapes, sunsets, flowers, animals and more.

Helping job seekers & recruiters daily…Founder of Careerbarn.com – Bringing jobseekers and employers together since 2000.