For job seekers like you, the interview is the most important part of the application process. It is by default the most nerve-wracking part of the process as a result. Not only are you trying to demonstrate your credentials, but you’re also presenting yourself in a way that will make the interviewers like you. That’s a lot of pressure to deal with, even though it’s important to remember that the interviewers are also human and may be as anxious as you are. Odds are, you’ll mostly be preparing the day before out of procrastination and the sense you’ll remember most of everything at that time. So what do you do then to make sure you ace the interview? Here are some tips to get you going.
1. Pick and try on your outfit
You don’t want to dress shabbily at your interview, unless somehow your potential employer accepts that. Be sure to ask the interview or human resources representative ahead of time about the dress code. From there, the day before, you should try on the outfit you intend to wear for the interview, as suggested by U.S. News.
Look for signs of any wear and tear, and try to fix damaged goods if you can. If not, replace it with a different item. That way, you don’t come out of the elevator looking out of place because your blouse has a frayed hem or your pants have a broken zipper.
“Be prepared to question the interviewers. It’ll demonstrate your interest in the job.”
2. Review your research
We’ve said it before, but reading over the job description, the company website and social media outlets the employer may have is a crucial part of the application process. The same goes with the interview. The interviewers will likely ask you what you know about the company. If you can answer with basic points, some projects you read about or just something that caught your eye, they’ll know you’re interested in the place. However, if you give a vague answer or just don’t know, you’ll be putting up a red flag.
3. Have questions ready for the interviewers
Bouncing off the research you did for the application, you should prepare some questions for the interviewers. You want to be able to engage with them about the job and company. If you can’t think of anything from your research, go all meta and pretend you’re interviewing the interviewers. What would you like to know from them? Lifestyle and career blog Living Moxie suggests
five as a good number to stick with. By having questions on hand, you can express further interest by picking the interviewer’s brains on matters that are important. You can further impress them with your knowledge of the company and job in this way.
4. Eat well and get some sleep
You may be anxious and completely nervous the day before. That’s understandable. But if you don’t get enough sleep, you’re going to be even worse the next morning, and it will definitely affect how you function during the interview. You should be at your best behavior and at your most cognizant throughout the process. The same goes with food: Try not to come to the interview on an empty stomach, or you’ll be thinking about how hungry you are the entire time.
