5 Steps to a Successful Interview

1. Do your Research

   1. It is crucial to find as much information as possible about the company’s history, mission, values, staff, culture, and recent success. This information can be found on the company website, social media, or LinkedIn profile.

   2. Doing your research will prepare you for potential questions about the company or its industry.

   3. Doing initial research will set you apart from other candidates. This shows you are passionate about the business for which you are interviewing.

2. Develop a Genuine Connection with your Interviewer

1. While it is essential to showcase your professional strengths and credibility, it is equally as essential to developing a relationship with your potential employer.

2. Ways to do so would be:

   1. remembering your interviewer’s name and using it during the interview. For some, it may be difficult to remember names, so jotting down your interviewer’s name during introductions would be a good way to remember.

   2. Ask questions unrelated to the job itself, ask them about their passions, hobbies, favorite things to do, etc. Within these questions, you could find similarities that will enhance your chance of building a genuine connection.

3. Building a relationship with your interviewer is likely to increase your chances of getting hired. Employers tend to hire candidates they feel are a good fit for the culture of the company and who they genuinely like.

3. Remain Calm and Confident

1. Body language says a lot about how a person is thinking or feeling. When one is anxious or nervous, it can be detected through a number of different things. To maintain a level of confidence following the steps below:

   1. Maintain eye contact. Drifting eyes is a sign of nervousness and lack of confidence, which would also be seen as unprofessional.

   2. Active Listening. Pay close attention to what the interviewer is saying or asking. Repeating the question back or incorporating it later in the interview shows you are paying attention to important information

   3. Minimize the use of “ums” and “uhs” when answering questions. If there is a question you were not expecting or stumped you a little bit, take some time to think, breathe, and then resume

4. Ask Questions

1. Having questions and comments prepared in advance shows initiative and that you want to learn more about the organization and the position.

2. Make sure to ask questions about the company, the position, or the interviewer. You can ask questions about the company culture, daily tasks, responsibilities, mission and values, etc.

3. It is best to stay away from asking questions related to salary, time in the office, and days off.

5. Follow-Up

1. When a candidate follows up with the interviewer, it reaffirms interest in the position and makes you a quality candidate.

2. It is always good to thank the interviewer for their time and appreciate the interview.

3. This will show a lot about the candidate and their passion for working with the company.