9 Ways to Ace a Job Interview

You got the interview, now what?

Congratulations – you’ve landed a job interview! In today’s market, where every job listing generates unprecedented floods of applicants, being granted an interview is a coup in and of itself. And given the scarcity of interviews, it’s crucial that you give each and every one your very best effort.

With the help of five career experts, MainStreet compiled the necessary tools to help you give your best interview, plus some helpful hints on how to land an interview in the first place.

Schedule immediately

when you do have an opportunity to schedule an appointment, do not hesitate to respond. You should always be on call - like a doctor! Also use the opportunity to ask any pre-game questions you may have - such as who will be present at the interview and what support materials the interviewers might be interested in.  Develop these questions when you begin your job search.

Confirm your appointment

recruiters like correspondence that is short and sweet. When the interview is one day away, send an email confirming the appointment. If it is on the phone, make sure you have the right number. If it is in an office, make sure you know the floor and if you need any type of security credentials like a photo ID.

How to prepare

In addition to putting together an outfit in which you feel confident and successful, make sure you do your homework on the company you are interviewing with. Research it online, follow it on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook if those options are available. Being informed will help you prepare interesting questions beforehand.

“One way to stand out in an interview is to ask questions. In addition to the most important basics – when they plan to hire for the position and if they contact all applicants or only those who are hired – my favorite questions to ask the interviewer are: What is a typical week like in this position? What are the opportunities for growth and advancement? Be sure to ask for their business card so you have correct contact information for the follow up thank you card,”

What to bring

Bring two copies of your resume. That way when your interviewer doesn't have it in front of him/her, you can hand it to him. Yes, it's likely he or she will have misplaced it.

Other than your A-game, Dale Carnegie Training suggests bringing a notepad that is large enough to write on but small enough to be handled gracefully. Optional items include a list of references from past employment and/or a condensed portfolio of work if these pieces are easily portable.

When to arrive

You are interviewing from three blocks away: You don't know who is in the nearby Starbucks, the elevator, etc. You need to be on-site five minutes before. How you greet the receptionist will be noticed. Do not talk on the phone or send texts while you are waiting. Simply sit and observe.
Arriving to the interview location a half hour early. This gives you time to find parking, use the restroom, make sure your cell phone is turned on silent and to organize your thoughts. Once you are there, you can relax. Never be late.

Questions to prepare for

how to prepare for them:

Q: Why do you want to work for us?

Have a specific reason based on the company’s history, products or reputation. Find ways that it intersects with your history and experience.

Q:  What's your greatest strength/weakness?

Tell a story that demonstrates your strength or weakness. Don't fall back on useless modifiers like: "People say I'm an amazing leader." As your weakness, identify a strength you take to an extreme: "Sometimes I get so caught up in my subject that I give people too much information," for example.

Q: What salary are you looking for?

Have a number in mind based on research you can do at the Bureau of Labor Statistics on salaries for similar positions in your area. Don't ask: "What are you offering?"

Body language

How should you sit, act or just be in your interview? Although you’ll likely be nervous, try to be yourself, as much as possible. Your face-to-face interview is your one opportunity to show the real you to your prospective employer, and may be the key to set you apart from other applicants. Also, keep in mind that sometimes the person who is interviewing you might also be nervous. Do what you can to feel as comfortable as possible, so you, in turn, can make them feel more comfortable.

In addition, your body language should exude confidence. A strong, confident handshake goes a very long way. So do smiling, nodding and maintaining eye contact. Keep your voice clear and strong.

Sit up and forward in your chair, because no one wants to hire someone ho is "too cool for school." Also, keep your hands where others can see them. It’s hard to trust someone when you can't see their hands.

How to leave the interview

Smile and remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sounds in any language.
Once your interview is done, address the interviewer by name, smile and offer genuine appreciation for the investment of his or her time in your future with the company. You want to leave the interviewer with a compelling impression of yourself, so remember to exude a blend of confidence, composure and dedication.

Follow up

When your interview is over, FOLLOW UP! Send a follow up e-mail as soon as possible, a few hours later or the next day are good rules of thumb, regardless of if you think it went well. Say thanks, reiterate important points and tell them you're looking forward to finding out more about the next steps.
E-mails are efficient, but they are common and do not show great effort. Hand-writte thank you note to follow up from an interview. Recap the interview by including the position you applied for, what you liked about the organization, why you would be a great fit for the position, and conclude by thanking them for their time and consideration.

If you haven't landed an interview

Your resume needs a polish if you haven't landed an interview.
Include keywords that reflect the job posting and personalize the content for each position you are applying for. Print the resume on high quality laser paper and keep it to one page. Focus on the results you have achieved. Leaders achieve results.
Statistics say a resume gets anywhere from five seconds to a minute or more for executives. You need to make your documents come to life to share your value in an instant.

Your resume should always answer the question, "Why should I hire you?"

What Are The Most Popular Job Interview Questions

by John McElborough

Most Human Resource experts say that the exchange of information and the questions that are asked during a job interview fall outside the realm of day-to-day conversations. In other words, there's nothing normal about a job interview in terms of what to expect. Job interview are conducted in an "unnatural way" so a little research as well as preparation is needed in order to function effectively, which means answering the most popular questions in the interview with conviction, poise, and honestly.
The most common interview questions are basically the same in almost all job interviews so it's easy to practice and develop answers that make sense and sound professional. Professional interviewers say that the most common question is "tell me a little about yourself." The experts say that question sets the mood and acts as the foundation for the rest of the interview.

Why Do You Want to Work Here?
 That's the next most popular interview question. That question should never be answered by saying "you need a job," or you heard the company was hiring and thought it might be a good job even those thoughts might be true. The best answer to that question lies in your ability to connect the job description with personal abilities and then be able to cohesively explain how that marriage would benefit the company.

Why Should We Hire You?
That's another stock question in the bank of interview questions that often throws interviewees for a loop, but it is one of the most important questions in the interview. The answer to that question should include facts about why you would make a good employee as well as facts about past accomplishments, special achievements, and past work experience that may relate to the new position.

Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?
Most interviewers asked that question to push your internal buttons. It's more of a test rather than a question. Signs of anger, bitterness, and hostility towards past employers or co-workers often manifest when that question is asked so it's important to keep your emotions under control and answer the question honestly.

Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?
This question is all about motivation. Interviewers want some insight on your professional intentions and goals so it's best to answer that question realistically as well as with great, but guarded professional expectations.

Other Interview Questions Can Make or Break the Deal
Those five questions are the basic questions that usually determine the compatibility, energy level, and the desire that's needed to move to the next step in the hiring process, but there are other interview questions that can help or hinder the chances of getting hired. Questions like: "Where else have you applied?" "Can you work well under pressure?" "What are your greatest strengths?" "What have you done to further your education and experience?" "What's your biggest weakness"? What would your previous co-workers say about you if they were here, and what motivates you to do a good job? The answers to those questions also play an important role in landing the job and pursuing your dreams.

About the Author

Get more advice on interview questions and find out more about the most popular interview questions.

Job Interview Tips

Here are job interview tips to help prepare you to interview effectively. Proper preparation which help alleviate some of the stress involved in job interviews.

Practice

Practice answering interview questions and practice your responses to the typical job interview questions and answer most employers ask. Think of actual examples you can use to describe your skills. Providing evidence of your successes is a great way to promote your candidacy. 

Prepare

Prepare a response so you are ready for the question "What do you know about our company. Know the interviewer's name and use it during the job interview. If you're not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview. Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.

Get Ready
Make sure your interview attire is neat, tidy and appropriate for the type of firm you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note taking.

Be On Time
Be on time for the interview. On time means five to ten minutes early. If need be, take some time to drive to the office ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there.

Stay Calm
During the job interview try to relax and stay as calm possible. Take a moment to regroup. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen to the entire question before you answer and pay attention - you will be embarrassed if you forget the question!

Show What You Know
Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.  When discussing your career accomplishments match them to what the company is looking for.

Follow Up
Always follow-up with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the position. If you interview with multiple people send each one a thank you note.