The interview is a major part of the hiring process, which means you need to ace it if you want a good chance of getting the job. After all, this is your opportunity to bring your resume to life and show the hiring manager that you're a good fit for the company’s culture. If you're nervous about the interview, you're not alone, as many people feel anxious leading up to the big day. Spend some time preparing for the interview, and don't overthink it. Being yourself is critical to your success. Here's what to do before, during, and after your interview.

How To Prepare Before the Interview                                     

Your first step is to research the company that you'll be interviewing with. This should include doing research on the people you'll be meeting with. If you don't have the name of the interviewer, you should be able to find out by asking the company. As you research, look into the company's history, what its mission is, and what the job description says.

Then start thinking about why you want the job you're going for and why you want to work for this company in particular. Also, consider why you're the best fit for the job, meaning you should feel comfortable explaining how your job experience and skills qualify you for the role.

Finally, look at the practical details before the interview. This means making sure you know how to get to the location and where you should park. This might require you to look at a map to get familiar with the property.

What To Do During the Interview

Now that you know the basics of the business you're interviewing with, it's time to think about how to act during the interview. First, show up a little early. That doesn't mean you have to hang around the office all day. Just arrive about 10 minutes early so you have some time to catch your breath, get a drink of water and relax before the interview.

What you wear to the interview is also important. In general, you should dress conservatively. Avoid chewing gum, carrying a drink in or using foul language during the interview. All of these bad habits will reflect poorly on you, so it's fortunate that they're all easily avoidable.

Once you're dressed for success at your interview, your next step is to stay as relaxed as possible so you can have an organic, meaningful conversation. Try to stay confident, and don't overthink your answers. You want to sound genuine and positive. This means you should avoid bashing former employers or jobs.

In short, you want the interviewer to believe you're a hard worker who would be pleasant to be around every day. So, be sure to end the interview by telling the interviewer how much you hope you'll be considered for the position, as this will reiterate your enthusiasm.

What To Do After the Interview

If you want the best chance of getting the job, it's important to formally thank the interviewer for his or her time. You can do this by sending a short email a few hours after the interview. Let the interviewer know how much you'd like the job, and consider mentioning a detail about the interview so it's clear this isn't something generic you could send to anyone. You want to make it obvious you were paying close attention to the interview and remember specifics about it.

Using these tips before, during, and after your interview should improve your performance and therefore increase your odds of getting the job. Plus, when you feel prepared for the interview ahead of time, you'll feel confident and relaxed on the big day, so it's definitely worth taking some time to implement these tips. If you have any questions, please contact us.