10 Tips To Nail Your Next Job Interview

If you have the right personality, experience and credentials for that dream job you're interviewing for, you won't need to bend over backwards to overcome the interview hurdle? What you might do is fail the test by not getting the basics right. Follow these tips to learn how to ace your job interview, and stand out from the crowd. It’s not as difficult as you think, so follow these tips,  and you’ll be sure to make a great impression.

1. Research the organizagion.

Study the employer's current mentions in the media. Being able to ask pertinent questions about the company's recent milestones, new programs or recent events, shows the interviewer that you have done your homework, and that you have a genuine interest in the company.

2. Know your resume.

As a candidate, you should know your resume like the back of your hand, because anything on your resume is at the interviewer’s disposal. and might prompt a question in search of a detailed answer. Speaking intelligently and thoughtfully about each of your previous positions achievements demonstrates that you can come in and do the job. Make sure you have the facts and figures about your former employers and programs: recruiters will seriously doubt your intelligence if you can't talk about the exact goals, budgets and statistics relevant to each prior job or program you worked on.

3. Thoroughly read the job description.

Study the job description so you can tailor your answers to that position. For example, if the description calls for attentiveness to detail, you will want to prepare answers demonstrating your attention to detail in prior roles. Your answers should help the interviewer tick the "done that" box with great confidence. 

4. Display your skills with concrete examples.

Providing examples of how you've demonstrated the job's top skills helps you reassure the interview that you are the right employee for the job. Do this by listing beforehand relevant examples of times you've excelled, been challenged and even failed. Paint the picture you want the interviewer to leave the room with. Don’t leave it up to the imagination of the interviewer to figure out if you're the right person for the job! 

5. Prepare an interview tool kit.

Putting together a “job interview kit” is a great job interview strategy. Not only will you want to have three copies of your resume in your kit, but also make sure well ahead of time that you have samples of material/content /research you have produced. Your preparation should also include other items such as printed directions to the office, a bottle of water, business cards and pen and paper.  Make sure your clothes are pressed, your shoes are polished and your nose or lip ring are strategically removed: assume your interviewer is conservative by nature, not hip.

6. Build rapport.

You know the saying, “There’s never a second chance to make a first impression?” That holds very true in the case of job interviews. Create a great impression by greeting the interviewer with a firm handshake, a genuine smile and looking them in the eye.

7. Make eye contact.

Eye contact is one of the strongest forms of nonverbal communication. Direct eye contact communicates two key qualities employers look for in candidates – confidence and high self-esteem. Throughout the interview, make a point to have direct eye contact in order to create a connection and exude confidence. 

8. Body language.

Body language is a vital part of your nonverbal communication. It will communicate whether you are confident, relaxed, nervous, or unsure of yourself. In order to ace your job interview, you must give off positive energy with your body language; move with grace and at a slow pace. Sit up straight and don’t slouch your back. Show that you are alert and listening carefully to everything your interviewer in saying. make sure you don't stay up late the night before... a yawn can ruin your entire effort in a heart-beat.

9. Be yourself.

No matter how badly you want the job, it you aren’t a good match, you aren’t a good match. Never try to be what you “think” the job may require. Answer the questions truthfully, because if you aren't true to yourself, the interviewer will sense your lack of authenticity. Never challenge the interviewer if they conclude during the meeting that you are not right for the job; being argumentative is guaranteed to bury you. Rather, you should ask them what they think it would take in the future for you to considered ready for the role. This approach might give you a chance to mention something they thought you were lacking, but which you simply didn't have time to mention or highlight.

10. Follow up quickly.

Immediately after the interview, send a handwritten "thank you" note. This personal touch makes you look very classy and sophisticated. If you don’t have the mailing address of the interviewer, or you sense the company is looking to move quickly on a next interview, send an e-mail. Thank the interviewer for their time, re-state your why you are passionate about the cause, and ask about next steps.