How to Interview to Win the Job

If a company invites you in for an interview, it means that you have done a good job impressing them with your resume. However, you need to make as good of an impression at the interview as you did on paper. Let’s look at a few tips that may make it easier to accomplish that goal and get the job you want.

Research the Company Ahead of Time

You should always be able to tell a prospective employer why you are applying for a position. It shows that you did more than just look for a job with the highest salary or a job that had the fewest requirements. It also shows that you will be a good fit for the position as well as a good fit for the culture that a company has or wants to create.

If you are applying for a computer or technology job, it may be worth mentioning that you know angular js or other similar programming languages. It may even be worth mentioning how you use it in your personal life or why you prefer it to other options. Taking this step may allow for a broader conversation that may feel more natural and allow you to better showcase your true personality.

Show Up Early

Ideally, you will show up anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes early for the interview. At a minimum, aiming to show up early gives you some leeway if traffic is bad or your Uber doesn’t arrive on time. It also gives you a chance to collect your thoughts before the interview actually begins. In the event that other applicants are late or otherwise unprepared to discuss an opening, the job may become yours by default.

Don’t Focus on Salary

If possible, avoid discussing salary in an interview. Wait until you have been formally offered the job.  You should avoid mentioning your salary history or mentioning any concrete numbers if asked for your preferred annual compensation level prior to getting a job offer. In some cases, it may actually be illegal to ask about your compensation in previous positions. Instead, it may be best to talk about the company culture or other reasons why you were attracted to the organization.

Show off Your Personality

Do your best to show off your personality during the interview process. Companies tend to want to hire people who work well with others and who may be able to deal with customers or clients if necessary. If you are looking for an executive sales job, it may be necessary to develop relationships with decision makers in the business world or with politicians.

Therefore, it may be a good idea to talk about your interest in baseball or how you worked with the company’s founder in the past. It may also be a good idea to talk about your overall philosophy when it comes to dealing with customers or how you treat those who work for you. By showing that you are a good person who can be trusted to do the right thing, an employer may be more likely to hire you.

In any interview it is important to present yourself as a knowledgeable professional. This means getting to the interview early, knowing why you want the job and showing off your personality. If you have the skills a company is looking for, these tips will help you separate yourself from others who are competing for the same position

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Comments

  1. Great tip !! you should wait till you offered a formal job before discussing salary and more importantly instead of talking about salary engage in conversation like what will be my role or what is job description.Thank You.

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