Job Interview Advice

If you want to land a job, you may be most nervous about the interview. You shouldn’t be. By far the hardest, most difficult part, is getting the interview in the first place. If the firm is taking the time to interview you, you are in a great position. They are interested in you and are willing to invest the time to find out if you are a match. They already know that you have the technical and experience needs, the interview is mostly a match of personalities with the firm and with the person interviewing you. Your technical and experience is secondary to your personal fit with the firm.

You must prepare as well as possible for your interview. Find out who is interviewing you. Learn about them and think about specific questions they can answer about their company that will show your interest in that firm. Of course dress well and arrive 5-10 minutes early. Bring resumes, a folder, and a way to take notes. Even as important, remember to not bring anything that may be distracting. Don’t bring a book (unless it is relevant to the job), don’t sit there browsing the internet on your iPhone, don’t fiddle around in the chair. If they make you wait a long time, they will feel bad about it, don’t feel like you need to occupy yourself. Hopefully you also learned as much as possible about the company and what role your position plays within the company. Of course you cannot know everything - or in many cases much of anything. Make sure to asks these questions. Below we will explore extra tips for you during the interview process.

When you show up for your interview feel free to accept a water if it is offered to you. Answer questions confidently, shake hands firmly, look your interviewer in the eyes. Most importantly though, be excited! If you are excited about the company and about working it will show. Make the person hiring you know that you will be energetic and excited to work. While it may seem like you are the one being interviewed, make sure to also interview the person interviewing you about the company. Find out what they like about the company, ask them about company culture, ask them what goals they have within the firm, and most importantly ask them anything about the position you are applying for. This all shows interest and will most importantly help you decide if in fact you are a match for the company. If you can truly get excited about a position, it will show in your interview.

When you are done with your interview, do not stress out too much about sending a thank you letter. In today’s modern age, an email is actually preferred. Keep it brief, thank the person who interviewed you, briefly list why you think you’d be a good match working there, and make sure to list your contact information. While this bit of extra information will by no means be the only thing that lands you a job, hopefully it can get you greater insight into what to do to ace your interview.