5 crucial steps to acing your job interview

Congratulations! A new job interview awaits you. Now is the time to prepare to perfection, as a stunning first impression is crucial. Naturally, you want to leave the interviewer with a positive feeling. Whether you are a seasoned job applicant or just entering the job market, this article will provide you with the top five essential tips on how to ace that job interview.

 

The Basics

Before we dive in, let’s quickly remind you of the basics that should never be forgotten during a job interview. We assume that you are already aware of these, but repetition is the key to wisdom:

•     Be on time
•     Dress to impress
•     Keep your nerves under control
•     Bring a printed copy of your resume
•     Send a thank-you email after the interview
•     Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile

Great! Now we can proceed with our valuable tips that will make all the difference.

 

 

 1: Know Who You’re Dealing With

Selling yourself effectively also means having knowledge of the company and the person you’re facing. So, make sure you know the company, understand its values, mission, and what is important for them. This information can often be found on the company’s website, social media, and in news articles.

Additionally, don’t forget to be informed about the person conducting your job interview. Know the name of the interviewer, how to spell and pronounce it. This not only comes across as professional but also boosts your self-confidence during the conversation.

Let’s summarize for a moment. What do you need to know before entering the interview?

About the company:

•     Core values and mission of the company
•     Products and services
•     Recent news and achievements
•     Challenges they face
•     Work culture and -environment

About the interviewer:

•     Role and responsibilities
•     Professional background
•     Common connections
•     Interview style
•     Significant projects or interests

 

2: Use a Storytelling Framework

During a job interview, you’ll likely be asked both professional and personal questions. Therefore, it’s important that you’re ready to tell your story. The only problem is, that there are often many ways to tell stories.

A handy tool you can use is a storytelling framework like SCARL. SCARL stands for Situation, Compilation, Action, Results, and Learnings. This framework is designed to effectively convey your qualities and character, demonstrating why you’re a perfect fit for the company you’re applying to.

Let’s look at an example. Suppose the interviewer asks, “Can you tell me about a challenging situation you encountered in your previous job and how you dealt with it?”

Here’s an example answer using the SCARL framework:

“In my previous role as a project manager, I faced a challenging situation with tight deadlines and unexpected technical issues. I took immediate action by organizing a team meeting, allocating additional resources, and creating a new work plan. As a result, we successfully overcame the obstacles and completed the project on time. This experience taught me the importance of communication, teamwork, and adaptability to achieve successful outcomes in high-pressure situations.“

Situation, complication, action, results, and learnings are all incorporated into the story. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Give it a try!

 

3: Be Prepared to Showcase Your Work

You know what you’re capable of, but the interviewer doesn’t know this yet. That’s why you’ll likely be asked questions about your career so far during the job interview. For example, about specific goals you’ve achieved in your professional life and projects you’ve completed or contributed to. Start thinking about the work you’ve done in previous jobs, associations, or volunteer work. This demonstrates that you have the necessary experience and can achieve success in the required work.

Feel free to be a little selfish here and use “I” when talking about your accomplishments. Instead of “my team did” or “our mission was,” showcase your own work and presentations. A work portfolio can come in handy here. The interviewer is interested in you!

Of course, part of it comes down to how you phrase your answers. So, keep using the SCARL framework, even when showcasing your work.

 

4: Answer the questions properly

Seems obvious, right? But unfortunately, it’s not always so straightforward. Avoid going into unnecessary details when the interviewer asks you a question. But what should you do?

Answer questions clearly and concise. Listen attentively to the interviewer and ensure you understand the question well. If you’re unsure, ask for clarification. Then provide a confident and honest answer. Lying or exaggerating won’t help and can cause problems later on. Just be yourself and show your best side!

 

5: Come Up with Smart Questions for the Interviewer

Nailing your self-presentation? Check! But, of course, you also want to demonstrate your interest in the company, the job, and the next steps in the application process. Therefore, write down a few smart questions you can ask the interviewer during the job interview. Here are a few examples:

• Can you tell me more about the daily responsibilities associated with this position?
• How do different departments typically collaborate?
• What do the next steps in the application process look like?
• According to you, what character traits should someone have to be successful in this role?

An interview isn’t an interrogation, you’re not hooked up to a lie detector; it’s a conversation. A two-way street. By asking the right questions, you demonstrate your interest and serious consideration of joining this company. And, of course, don’t forget to thank the interviewer at the end of the conversation.

 

Bonus: Your Interview Starts the Moment You Walk In

The interview doesn’t begin when you’re seated across from the interviewer; it starts the moment you ring the doorbell. Every interaction counts, from greeting the receptionist and offering a firm handshake to introducing yourself with a smile. These are all opportunities to leave a positive impression. Be friendly, polite, and genuinely interested because you never know who might influence the final decision.

Creating a positive first impression from the moment you walk in can make a significant difference in how you’re evaluated throughout the entire application process.

  

Need Help? We’re Here to Help

Easy peasy lemon squeezy, right? With these tips, we’re confident you can make the most of your job interview and leave a positive impression. Are you stuck for a moment, or do you need more information? Remember that if you apply through Search X, we’ll always have your back, to infinity and beyond. You’ve got this new job in the bag!

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