5-steps-to-ace-next-interview

Interviews are tough. They're nerve wracking and unpredictable. Recently graduating from college, I've had to sit through my fair share of interviews. I've spent hours researching what to expect, what to do, and how to answer specific questions.
Unfortunately, I have never really found anything straight-forward about what I needed to know. My interviews were somewhat lackluster because I was trying to take different tips from different articles, but their tips differed vastly from one article to the next. Through my experiences, though, I've learned a basic core of what most companies look for in a potential candidate, and I've grouped these core competencies into five basic steps.

Research 

I can't emphasize how important researching the company you're interviewing for actually is to potential employers. I've sat in many interviews and had the interviewer ask me what I knew about the company and became embarrassed when I realized I knew so little. You'd be surprised at how impressed potential employers get, though, when you can tell them what the company does, how many stores it has throughout the country, and how long it's been in business. It makes a great impression, and lets the interviewer know that you're interested in their company and not just acquiring a source of income.

Dress to Impress 

This can probably go without saying, but putting on your best business suit is key. Even if you're going to interview for a McJob, you should still dress like you're interviewing to become the CEO of Google. First impressions are crucial, and you don't want to be automatically dismissed based on your appearance. That doesn't mean just dressing corporate, but it also means no stains, no large or chunky jewelry, and no pet hair or wrinkles. Breaking out the iron for 15 minutes could determine whether or not you're viewed as a professional or not. One of my college professors also worked in the Human Resources department at a small company and told us that dressing professionally lets the interviewer know how seriously you're taking the interview and projects your ideals of the company. People who came in undressed or looking sloppy gave off the impression that the job wasn't important to them, and they didn't think highly of the company.


Be Positive
This should also go without saying, but you need to remain positive about literally everything. This also means being yourself, so don't be afraid to make jokes (where appropriate), and talk about the positive aspects in your personal life. Most interviewers want to get to know you by asking about your hobbies and interests.

This next part about remaining positive is important: no matter what the question, turn the answer into a positive one. If they ask you why you left your last employer, what you disliked about your previous employer, or any other questions that sound negative, they don't want to hear all the problems you've had in the past. They are looking to see how you handle tough situations, and if you can turn the outcomes into positive ones.

If you've had a bad experience at another job, simply tell the truth, but make sure you explain although you've had problems, you enjoyed working there and the friendships you've made along the way. My last employer was a bad one, but when asked, I always ensure that the interviewer knows most of my best references are managers from that company.

Study and Rehearse
This may sound like a little much, but if you're a nervous person like me, a little studying helps. There are hundreds of websites that have compiled basic behavioral and situational questions and appropriate answers to them. I am in no way saying make up answers to impress potential employers because it's important to be honest, but having prepared your own answer can make or break an interview. I've sat in interviews before where they asked situational questions that I really had to think about, and by looking up practice questions, you'll already have one or more of these situations ready in the back of your mind. I also liked to look in the mirror and rehearse some of my answers so they wouldn't get too wordy. Keep your answers short, sweet, and to the point.

Ask Questions 

Just because you're the one being interviewed, doesn't mean it's not important for you to ask questions. There are two reasons why asking questions yourself is important. First, you should never leave an interview without full knowledge of what you're getting yourself into. I've made the mistake of taking a job before asking what I was going to be making as a salary. I learned later that the job that seemed professional, was anything but, and they were paying me minimum wage for a career that required a Bachelor's degree and vast experience. Don't be afraid to talk about money. Employers expect you to be interested in your salary.

The second reason asking a question as an interviewee is important is because it impresses the employer. Asking questions about the company emphasizes your interest in your career there. Interviewers aren't looking for people that just want any job, but for people who want that specific job. I always like to ask about career growth within the company because I don't want to get stuck at a dead end job, and it impresses the interviewer by letting him/her know you're interested in establishing a career and staying with the company for the long haul.

I hope these five tips are helpful in your next interview. Good luck.