How to Ace an Interview – and Land the Job
Today’s post will show you exactly how to ace an interview, and land the job, every single time. Here’s the behind-the-scenes look into a hiring manager’s mind.
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In the years I’ve worked in a corporate environment, I’ve interviewed my fair share of job candidates.
I’ve had many “debriefing” meetings with hiring managers in which we decide who stays and who goes.
Here’s the behind the scenes reasons why candidates don’t get the job, and what you can do to ace an interview – and get your dream job, every single time.
Get to the interview at the right time
Many times, managers will designate a day for interviews, some scheduled back to back.
If you show up late, not only can it convey that you’re not interested enough in the job, but it may derail the manager’s schedule for the rest of the day.
Do:
Get there on time. Plan for traffic, accidents, and other inconveniences.
Remember that some managers consider “on time” to mean five minutes before the appointed time
Don’t:
Show up late without notifying the manager. If something does come up, be sure to let the manager or HR rep know you’re running late.
Life happens. Managers run into issues too.
However, not communicating this to the hiring manager may seem disrespectful and hurt your chances to ace an interview.
Show up too early. While being late is bad, being too early is equally as bad.
Meetings are set at a certain time for a reason, and showing up too early may put undue pressure on the manager to finish up something quickly.
Additionally, if the manager is finishing up another interview, it may lend itself for some awkward moments.
Polish Your Resume
One of the greatest pet-peeves of hiring managers in any industry is a poorly written resume.
Even if you’re the most qualified applicant for a position, a sloppy resume may overshadow your good qualities.
Do:
Check for spelling and grammar. If possible, ask somebody else to proof-read it for you. If that’s not an option, make use of any proofreading software available to you
Check the formatting. Make sure your resume looks good overall and that it’s easy to read and follow
List jobs and education in chronological order. Try to make it easy for the hiring manager to follow your story and progression from one job to the other
Don’t:
Use unnecessary words just to “embellish” your resume. Chances are, the hiring manager will see right through it.
I once read a resume that said “Utilized my organizational skills to enhance the customer experience while visiting my assigned area, and performed analysis of customer preferences to convert the product accordingly”.
When asked what that meant during the interview the candidate confessed that he meant he stocked the shelves.
Keep it simple and to the point
List a job without any information of what your responsibilities were. However, if the job was totally unrelated to the job you’re currently applying for, limit it to a sentence or two
Include experience that is not relevant to the position you’re applying for. I once got a resume that listed “Valid Driver’s License” under the qualifications area – While that’s nice to know, we were looking for an accountant, not a driver.
Irrelevant information sends the message that you may have a blanket resume that is used to apply to any and all sorts of jobs. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience for each job you apply for
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Dress the Part
First impressions are important, and you only get one chance to make one.
Make it count by dressing appropriately for the position you’ve applied for.
Do:
Dress professionally for any office job, even if you know the dress code of the company calls for more casual attire.
Wear closed-toe shoes. Even if you don’t have a business suit, any outfit can be dressed up by wearing closed-toe shoes. Be sure they’re clean and you can comfortably walk in them.
Don’t:
Wear the wrong size. If you wear something too tight or too loose during your interview, chances are, you’ll feel uncomfortable.
Try to minimize everything that may distract you or shift your focus anywhere other than the interview.
Wear revealing clothing. This includes shirts with cleavage or that are see-thru, mini-skirts, clothes that are too formfitting, or that let any undergarments show.
You want to be remembered by your qualifications and attitude, not by the color of your underwear.
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Come Prepared
One of the most disappointing moments as a hiring manager is when you can’t get a coherent response to a question like “why would you like to work here” or “what have you learned about the company”.
If you want to ace the interview, do some research on the company beforehand and decide why you would be a good fit.
Do:
Find out what the company does. If they sell products, is there a particular product you find interesting of have had a (positive) experience with?
If they provide a service, be prepared to share why you find that service valuable.
Read up on the company’s values. Think of how your values fit with theirs. If possible, provide an example from your prior work experience where you demonstrated one of their core values.
Show You’re Organized. Although the hiring manager will likely have a copy of your resume, bring a few extra copies with you, as well as any business cards you may have.
I like using a business padfolio to keep everything neat and easy to find.
Don’t:
Pretend that you know a lot about the company if you really don’t. Didn’t get a chance to look up the company? Try to stay away from talking about it.
Instead, focus on how your abilities and knowledge can help your team or the company succeed.
Disregard the manager’s comments. If the hiring manager mentions that the company values passion, you can piggy-back on that with a comment about how you’ve demonstrated passion at work.
Know Your Stuff
This point applies to any job, but more so for professional fields of work. Before going on an interview, brush up on any applicable knowledge.
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Do:
Prepare mentally. Some managers will “quiz” candidates on general knowledge of the position they’re applying for.
This can be absolutely nerve-wracking, so be sure to prepare yourself to perform under pressure.
If possible, have a friend quiz you the day before so you can have some time to freshen up on anything you may be weak on.
Don’t:
Pretend you know something you don’t. If they ask you something that you don’t know, be honest, but show that you’d be willing to learn.
Let Your Personality Show
Lastly, the most important thing you can do to ace an interview and get your dream job every time is to let your personality show.
One of the items at the top of the list of what managers are looking for in an interviewee is whether or not they will be a good fit within their future team.
Be sure the manager can leave the interview with a good feel of who you are.
Do:
Relax. Interviews can make anyone nervous. However, be aware of any ticks or nervous gestures you may make.
If possible, practice answering generic interview questions in front of a mirror so you can detect any anxious movements you may make.
For additional relaxation, spend a few minutes with the Calm app for iPhone or Android before your interview, which won App of the Year in 2017 and helps you de-stress through breathing exercises and relaxing music.
Connect with the interviewer. Did the hiring manager mention they live in your area? Or that they have pets? Or that they like to vacation?
Even a simple “Really? Me too!” can be enough to build some rapport with that person.
Don’t stray too far away from the subject at hand, but do provide short, connecting, statements about what the manager has just shared.
Smile. Sometimes, after a day of interviews, it’s difficult to put a face to the name on a stack of papers. A warm smile can help you create a positive memory in the interviewer’s mind.
Be sure to smile every time you’re introduced to someone around the office or other managers you may be speaking with that day, and as the interview comes to a close.
Don’t:
Have a weak handshake. You’ve probably heard this before. Turns out it’s totally true. I’ve seen managers pass up on perfectly good candidates because they didn’t have a firm handshake.
Avoid eye contact. Although looking someone in the eye may be intimidating, avoid looking too much at the floor or ceiling.
As a last resort, if you have a copy of your resume with you (which you should), look at your resume instead if eye contact gets uncomfortable.
Sit perfectly still for the entire interview. Although fidgeting is not advisable, sitting like a mannequin for the duration of the interview is uncomfortable for everybody in the room.
Be Prepared to Follow Up
In instances when there’s been two equally qualified candidates with comparable personalities, the candidate who aced the interview was the one who followed up.
Do:
Ask each manager who interviews you for their business card. If they don’t have one, ask how you can get in touch with them.
Send a thank you email to each manager separately. Be sure to tailor the email for each as they will more than likely share your email with the other managers.
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Don’t:
Leave without asking what the next step of the process is, if this hasn’t already been discussed.
Follow up with any questions about compensation unless the manager brings it up.
If you’re working through a recruiter (which I recommend), direct that kind of questions to them instead.
Remember that no interview will go absolutely perfect.
But as you put into practice these tips, you’ll hone in your interviewing skills and increase your chances to ace an interview and get the job every single time.
What other techniques have helped you ace an interview? Let us know in the comments below!
