You have been invited to that interview, after all the stress it took you to apply. Congratulations. But the journey is not yet over. Its now time to prepare for the interview. You might have a great CV, years of working experience and all those, but you need to learn some other tips that will help you land that dream job.
Here are some tips on how you can do that:
Accept your weaknesses
When most people are asked what their weaknesses are in an interview, they try to frame their weaknesses as a positive thing. This looks obviously fake. A better way to do it is to acknowledge weaknesses that are in no way directly related to the job you are applying. If you are applying to be a graphic designer, it doesn’t matter if you are not good with numbers. You can use that as your weakness. It is important to be honest about your weaknesses. Interviewers can tell if you are lying.
Add something extra in your cover letters.
Most people fall into the trap of repeating their resumes in their cover letters. Instead of that, give more background information about yourself and why you are the best candidate for the position the company is trying to fill. You can also include a call to action.
Negotiate
There is one thing all high performers do: they negotiate when they get an offer. Even if this offer is your only one, negotiate it! Doing so is an indication that you, too, are a high performer. There is no need to lie about having options. The very fact that you want to negotiate triggers a subconscious assumption that you’re in demand. Need to learn some negotiation skills? click here.
Smiling is so simple, yet few people actually do it. For good reason: you are usually nervous in an interview, or you are intentionally trying to keep it professional. A smile can break the tension in the room and set you apart from the rest of the brooding crowd. It shows you are friendly and fun, the exact kind of person people want to work with.
Prepare for unexpected questions.
Expect to be asked at least one really weird question, especially if you are applying for a senior role. These questions typically test your thought process. While you don’t know the exact unexpected questions you will receive, you can prepare mentally for them by getting into a state of mind you are expecting the unexpected. This will help to lessen your stress when you are asked an odd question.
Even if all the jobs you are looking for are within the same industry, your resume still should not be the exact same for all of them. Customize your recipe to the requirements of each job to give yourself a competitive edge.
Keep your cool when things don’t go well
Sometimes, no matter how much you have prepared, things go wrong. In fact, I know of some interviewers who intentionally disrupt the interview to see how candidates react. So, keep your cool when things go south. Remember that one stumble likely won’t cost you a potential job if you get the rest of right.
Research the company and your interviewers.
When you get called in for an interview, don’t forget to prepare for it. Research the company and find out everything you can about it and what it does. Also, find out as much as you can about the interviewers.
Finish strong
The most important parts of the interview really are the first impression and the last impression the interviewer has of you. This is why it is crucial for you to finish strong. There is a high chance you will be given the chance to ask any questions if you have any. So. Reserve a question that allow you to lead into a powerful story about you and your journey.
In conclusion, don’t forget to follow up. After you leave the interview, email a thank you note within an hour. Then follow up in three days, then a week, and consistently do it until you get a clear yes or no.
My name is Chigozie Japhet. I am a content writer, and a brand strategist. I like writing, reading, researching and watching football, especially my team, Man United. i believe in working hard, and also in relaxation as all work without play, makes Chigozie a dull boy.
