Stand out from the rest by learning how to ace an in-person interview.
Whether you are applying for an entry-level position or a lead role, you will probably have to go through an interview with a potential employer before getting a job offer. You should give your best effort during this crucial meeting. A job interview is an opportunity to showcase your qualifications and impress the hiring team. This article offers preparation advice for typical job interview questions as well as advice on how to ace an interview.
Follow these tips.
Do your research
Do some research on the company before the interview, so you are aware of its accomplishments, objectives and mission. Learn about the company’s history, most recent announcements, executive officers, values and culture by browsing its website. Then look up recent articles about the company to learn about its most recent successes and future objectives. Try to educate yourself on the company’s industry and rivals as well. You can use this knowledge to demonstrate how you would address the company’s problems.
If you know your interviewer’s name, look them up on social media to learn more about their interests, history and opinions on any news about their company or industry. Utilize this knowledge to establish a rapport with your conversation partner. Review the job description because the interviewer will anticipate that you are aware of the skills required to perform successfully and your motivation for applying for the position.
Additionally, you can search for the company on the Indeed Company Pages to read about it, browse reviews, available jobs, Q&A and more. You can contextualize your interview answers by conducting research. You’ll be able to quickly link your background, credentials and accomplishments to the company if you are familiar with it.
Practice interview questions and answers
While there may be many companies- or job-specific topics in your conversation, the majority of interviews include at least a few common queries. Review a list of the most frequently asked interview questions to get ready, and then practice your responses. Your responses should focus on the company, the position and your relevant qualifications and objectives.
While you cannot anticipate the interviewer’s questions, you can prepare responses to frequent ones. Concise responses that highlight your unique skills or qualifications should be your goal. You might feel more at ease discussing yourself and your value if you engage in this practice. Additionally, be prepared to explain any gaps or other irregularities in your employment history.
Common interview questions include, for example:
- Describe yourself to me.
- You want to work here, why?
- What are your main advantages and disadvantages?
- In five years, where do you see yourself?
Check out this list of interview questions for your next interview.
Create a strong first impression
Non-verbal cues are even more important than verbal ones when making a first impression. Therefore, in the first few seconds, it’s crucial to maintain eye contact, shake hands firmly, smile confidently and generally project the impression that you want the job and are happy to be there. Wait for the invitation to sit down while leaning slightly in and raising your eyebrows slightly. Be energetic, enthusiastic and interested in everything you do.
Try to dress in a manner consistent with the business you are meeting with. Your recruiter can also give you advice. You should get a good idea of the company’s typical dress code by looking at its website and social media content especially posts about its workplace culture. If in doubt, always err on the formal side. You want to convey some personality and charisma, but you also want to come across as a good fit.
For instance, if you see a picture of your interviewer’s family, you might inquire about them and be prepared to share a story from your own family. Another option is to ask a question that you also have an interesting response to if you know your interviewer is a sports fan and you can tell that they are (e.g., “So who’s going to win the Cup this year?” or “Do you ever get to the matches? “).
Think about current events as well. Has your potential employer, for instance, recently made headlines? Or perhaps you could inquire about the potential effects on the business of a current event? Make sure you have an original, interesting thought to add to each situation.
Prepare your stories
Since in-person interviews happen toward the end of the hiring process, interviewers probe deeper to gauge your capacity for problem-solving. The most effective responses include examples from personal experience. Your anecdotes ought to adhere to the STAR method, which is an acronym for:
- Situation: Describe the difficulty you encountered.
- Task: Explain how you fit into the situation.
- Action: Describe how you overcame the difficulty.
- Result: Describe what transpired as a result of your actions.
These anecdotes not only demonstrate your qualifications but also help people remember you as a candidate. The STAR method is useful for the following typical topics:
- Disputes with coworkers or managers.
- Working under a lot of stress
- Making an error and fixing it.
- Setting and achieving a goal.
Be ready for small talk
Making small talk correctly (or incorrectly) can have significant repercussions. It’s a way for people to develop chemistry—that elusive, illusive quality that underpins all successful business relationships—as well as rapport and affinity.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to anticipate some potential interview questions as part of your preparation to keep the conversation moving. To be able to ask and respond to credible questions, it’s important to choose subjects that both of you are interested in.
Follow up after the interview
You can take additional steps after the interview to improve your chances of landing the job. Within a day of the interview, try sending the hiring manager an email of gratitude. Reiterate your interest in the job and thank the company for the interview in the email. Consider sending a second follow-up email to express your continued interest in the position and your desire to move forward in the hiring process if you do not hear back within a week of the job listing closing. If you’re ready to find a career with a company that cares for its employees, you came to the right place. Valor Home Services has a variety of positions just waiting to be filled. For more information and to see job postings, head over to our Join the Team page.
