How to Ace any Interview

Interviewing for a job can be nerve-wrecking, yet there are ways to calm yourself down and focus. Here are some tips to help you ace that interview:

Before the Interview

• Research, Research, Research - Can't stress this enough. Always learn about the company your are interviewing for before the interview. Read the history, latest news and even research who the interviewer is before-hand. Questions such as "What do you know about the company? or "Why do you want to work here?" would be easier to answer through your research and it will look like you have prepared thoroughly before attending the interview. Do also check out the most common job interview mistakes and errors interviewees make ahead of the interview.
• Practice & Learn Behavioral Interviewing Techniques - Take the time to go over some interview questions (there are ample online!) and practice your answers. Behavioral-based interviewing is common as it is based on the idea that a candidate's past performance is the best predictor of future performance. Hence when answering interview questions, take the time to quote examples in your current or previous roles and how you handled those situations.
• Prepare Documentation - Ensure you have filled the application forms, etc. ahead of the interview day. Make extra copies of your resume and bring samples of your work and certifications (if you have any), just in case the interviewer would like to see your work during the interview.
• Dress to impress - Your first impression is really important. Make sure what you choose to wear looks professional and appropriate for the work environment. Even if the office you are interviewing at is a casual work environment, my suggestion would be to still dress with professional attire for the interview. Do also make sure you are well-groomed, your clothes fit well, shoes are shined and limit the accessories used.

During the interview

• Be early & polite to everyone - It is better to arrive to your interview earlier than later. Take some time to drive to the office ahead of time or check out other options for getting there so you know exactly where you are going, and what the transportation and parking situation looks like. Remember that it’s not only the hiring manager who makes the decision on who to hire. Be polite and gracious to everyone you meet from the time you walk in the door to when you leave. The people you meet could be your future co-workers, so make the best impression on them that you can.
• Stay calm - If you are nervous, visit the restroom before your interview, and wash and dry your hands so they aren’t sweaty. Take some deep breaths, and remember that this is only one interview and you’ve prepared as well as you can for it. Do not bring coffee, gum, or anything else not related to the job. Turn your phone off and put it away before you walk into the office.
• Mirror the body language of the interviewer - The "chameleon effect" is a psychological phenomenon that describes how people tend to like each other more when they’re exhibiting similar body language. Otherwise it can seem like you’re not interested in what they’re saying, you’re not a team player, or even that you’re lying.
• Show confidence & Make eye-contact with your interviewer - Show confidence & enthusiasm by taking the lead in initiating the conversation with the interviewer. You might be tempted to tell your interviewer all about your past accomplishments – but research suggests you should focus more on what you could do in the future, if the organization hires you. Ensure the tone of your voice is also clear and loud enough for the interviewer to hear you. Research also showed that the people who consistently made eye contact while speaking were considered more intelligent than those who didn’t make eye contact.
• Ask questions! - Do prepare 2-3 questions you could ask about the company culture, more details on the job or expectations of the interviewer for the position. Interviews are a two-way conversation and it would be best the interviewee too took part in the process. You could even ask why you were selected for the interview. It draws the interviewer’s attention to your strengths and to the reasons why they like you.

After the interview

• Follow-up - Take the time to send a thank you email to the Recruiter and Hiring Manager, on the same day after the interview. You can follow-up for feedback from the interview typically within 2 weeks after the interview (depending on the urgency to hire).
• Learning experience - If you did not land the job after the interview, consider it a learning experience and with every interview you have, you’ll be better prepared to ace the next one!