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Prepare for an Interview — 5 Easy Ways to Impress your Future Boss

Job interviews are infamous for causing massive anxiety — but it doesn't have to be that way, as long as you prepare for an interview with distinct purpose.

Lindsay Karny //December 7, 2022//

Prepare for an Interview — 5 Easy Ways to Impress your Future Boss

Job interviews are infamous for causing massive anxiety — but it doesn't have to be that way, as long as you prepare for an interview with distinct purpose.

Lindsay Karny //December 7, 2022//

It’s a question that haunts us all: how should I prepare for an interview? Most recruiters believe the most important thing a candidate can do is get comfortable talking about themselves. What’s your background? What strengths and weaknesses? What makes you unique? The more comfortable you speak about yourself and your experiences, the more likely the interviewer will see the real you, not just what they want to see.

READ — How to Successfully Recruit Talent Today

How to Prepare for an Interview: The Keys to Success

The first thing you should do is prepare for an interview. This means getting ready for questions related to your education, experience, and qualifications. You’ll want to answer these questions clearly and concisely so they stand out as something other than weaknesses in your application.

The next thing you should do is research the company itself. You can learn much about a company by looking at its website or social media accounts. Still, it helps to talk with people who have worked there before or even someone who works at another company with similar goals or values (which is also an excellent place for you). This will give you an idea of their culture and insight into what makes them unique.

Building Self-Confidence Through Practice and Preparation

What if we told you that there’s one thing that can help you get ahead of the game? And it doesn’t involve more work or preparation than you already do? It’s called self-confidence.

Self-confidence is something that most people think they have naturally—but what many don’t realize is that it’s a skill that can be learned through practice and preparation. When we’re talking about self-confidence for an interview, what we mean is having an attitude of confidence in yourself and your abilities that will show up in every aspect of your performance: from how you dress to how you answer questions, from how well you shake hands with someone new to how confidently you respond when asked a question that makes you uncomfortable.

Understanding Common Interview Questions and Planning Answers

Prepare for in interview like you’re preparing for a test. You want to know exactly what to expect and be ready with the answers that will impress your interviewer and get you the job. For example:

What’s Your Greatest Strength?

This is one of the most common interview questions, so it’s essential to have an answer ready. You can talk about how you’re great at multitasking, working under pressure, or keeping calm in an emergency. You could also talk about something more intangible: how you’re good at building relationships or communicating with people from all walks of life.

READ — How Business Leaders Can Embrace a Multigenerational Workforce

How Would Your Coworkers Describe You?

This question is tricky because it’s often asked as part of an interview’s “strengths” section. If you give them some examples of people who would say positive things about you, they’ll trust that those are true about you! So if someone says that they think your work ethic is top-notch, that might not convince them—but if three different coworkers mention how hardworking you are, it will give you a chance to impress your employer.

Making a Good Impression With Professional Attire and Grooming

You may be surprised to learn how your dress for an interview can influence your hiring. Research shows that employers often make their decision within the first few seconds of meeting someone—and your appearance is one of the deciding factors!

So what should you wear? It depends on where you’re interviewing and what job is available. A suit might be appropriate if it’s a formal office environment. But if it’s more casual, like at a restaurant or retail store, something casual would work well, too. Just remember: try not to look too flashy or casual—you want to find the right balance between the two extremes so that people will see you as professional but also approachable and friendly.

Follow Up After the Interview to Demonstrate Your Interest

It’s not just about showing your interest in the position; it’s also about showing your interest in the company. And if you want to do both of those things well, here are some tips for following up after an interview:

  • Send a quick email within 24 hours of your interview to thank the recruiter or hiring manager for taking the time to meet with you. This would be especially important if they were kind enough to invite you in for an interview at their office because they don’t get many applicants who will do this!
  • If something during your conversation made sense as a follow-up question or topic of further discussion, include it in your email. For example: “I loved hearing about how your company uses [insert solution]. Is there any chance we could talk more about how [solution] has helped other businesses?”

 

Lindsay KarnyLindsay Karny is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and Interview Coach at https://resume2023.com/.