Get hired faster with our tried-and-true interview tips

A job interview is an important step in your job search. If you make it through the initial screening rounds, employers will want to meet you for a physical interview or hold a virtual interview with you. This is the best chance for you to show a potential employer that you are the best fit for the role.

Here are some of our best interview tips for you to give your best performance the next time:

What you should do before the interview

Research the company and your interviewers – You can use the company website, social media pages, and LinkedIn pages to find all the info you need. LinkedIn can also help you find the name of the hiring manager who will be interviewing you.

Prepare your answers for common questions – Practice answering common interview questions from a few days before the event. You might also want to focus on handling questions that are illegal or inappropriate.

Decide what you’ll wear – it’s important to be professional and formal when you attend a job interview. You can research the company dress code and align your attire with it to show the employer that you are a good cultural fit.

What you should do during the interview

Arrive a little early – Aim to arrive at your interview location 10-15 minutes before the starting time. This will give you time to gather yourself and relax a little before the interview.

Make a good first impression – The way you enter the room, shake hands, and greet the interviewer will create the first impression. Make sure it’s a good one.

Keep your answers concise – This is where the practice comes in handy. Give clear and concise answers to each question the interviewer asks you. Avoid rambling and going off-topic in your narrations.

Ask questions from the interviewer – Ask some intelligent questions from the interviewer once they give you the chance. Your questions should be about the role, company, company culture, and industry trends.

Avoid speaking negatively – If the conversation steers to your past employers, avoid saying anything negative about them to the interviewer. Keep your answers brief and respectful when talking about terminations, etc.

What you should do after the interview

Send a thank you note – Write a thank you email to the interviewer within 24 hours of the interview. Mention how you enjoyed meeting them and express your gratitude for the chance given to meet and talk with them.

Inquire about next steps – If a few days have gone past your interview with no answer from the employer, call the HR department and inquire about the status of your job application to get to know what will come next.

Don’t stop your job search – It’s good to be confident in your abilities but putting all your eggs in one basket isn’t that smart. Continue with your job search and keep applying to jobs that align with your career goals.

Be graceful when accepting rejections – Not every interview will end in a job offer, and that’s okay. Accept rejections gracefully and avoid burning bridges with companies after getting rejected from a job application.