15 Essential Job Interview Tips You MUST Know To Nail Any Position

Got a big interview coming up? We've got your back. No matter how big or small the job is, these universal job interview tips are guaranteed to help you land the best possible outcome.

Know what you’re going into.

A great way to boost confidence is to try to know every detail of the interview that you can in advance. This includes the name of the person you’re meeting, where it’s taking place, the format of the interview, the number of people you’ll be talking to and any other materials you’re supposed to have prepared. Double check everything so nothing comes as a surprise to you the day of. It’s also a good idea to Google Map exactly where the building is and how long it will take you to get there on time (getting there early is even better).

Double check your social media.

In this day and age, virtually every employer is going to casually search for you on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media site before officially hiring you. In some cases, this will be their very first impression of you. Take a look at your online profiles and make sure there’s no immediate red flags there (in other words, try to limit the alcohol pics!).

Give serious thoughts to your answers beforehand. 

While you can’t predict every question you’ll be thrown in an interview, there are a few basic ones that you can always have a well-prepared answer for. Questions like “tell me about yourself” or “why do you want to work here?” are usually ones you can expect — be sure to have an original and well thought-out answer handy! Also, be sure your answers are succinct. The last thing you want to do is ramble on and on and lose their attention. 

Research the company.

It’s imperative to have a good understanding of a company and any current events surrounding it BEFORE you meet with a potential employer. This shows that you’re knowledgable about the work environment and can give informed answers based on current company standings.

Silence all technology.

This one might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget to silence your phone. Triple check to make sure your phone is completely off. Even a subtle text message alert is a big no-no for any interview, so don’t take any chances.

Bring multiple hard copies of your crisp, updated resumé. 

Not only is it a good idea to have your updated resumé in front of you to reference in case you forget some of the talking points you want to bring up, but it’s also helpful to slide across the table to whomever is interviewing you. Don’t just assume that the employer will have a copy printed in front of them. This shows that you’re prepared, serious about the job and ready to hammer some specific points home. 

Speak openly about your weaknesses.

“What’s one of your biggest weaknesses?” is always a tough question to answer. It’s good to have a solid answer in the back of your head, but it’s even better to be upfront and provide a real response. Try to include examples of situations where you overcame your weaknesses or learned something positive from a tough situation. Any examples you give will make you appear more genuine.

Have questions prepared.

Even if you secretly don’t care, you should ALWAYS ask one or two questions of your interviewer. Not only does this show that you’re actually interested in the position, but it’s an interview 101 tip that most employers expect. Feel free to turn the tables on them at the end — ask “why did you start working here?” or “what do you enjoy most about this position?”.

Overdressing is better than underdressing.

Do your best to research a company’s dress code, but when in doubt, always dress to impress. No matter how relaxed or informal the company is, dressing professionally speaks volumes. It’s far better to be overdressed and look ambitious than to be underdressed and look careless and sloppy.

Be well-rested.

Even if you’re anxious, do your best to get a full night’s sleep the night before a big interview. It will boost your confidence and also ensure that you don’t look sleepy (or worse, are seen yawning) during an interview. It also reduces the risk of oversleeping, which is the worst thing that can happen on interview morning. So hit the hay early and set an alarm!

Check your posture.

Small things such as posture and firmness of handshake can be surprisingly indicative of a candidate’s personality. Be sure not to slouch in your chair in an interview but also don’t be too robotic and rigid. Try to find the perfect posture that shows you’re professional and eager to get to work.

Make eye contact.

The strongest job candidates will have steady eye contact with their interviewers the whole time. Don’t look down at the table or off into space over their shoulder. Making good eye contact is a sign of both confidence and mutual respect that employers definitely notice.

Pitch ideas.

If you have an outsider ideas or tips you think can improve the company you’re applying for, be sure to share them in your interview. Doing so will make you look prepared and passionate about the possibility of working there. Talk as if you’re already a dedicated member of the team. You don’t even have to be prompted to do so — in fact, it’s more impressive if you offer some great talking points unprompted.

Explore other options.

Statistically speaking, it’s very unlikely that you’ll successfully land every position you interview for. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket! While you’re waiting to hear back from a certain employer, explore your options at other companies instead of just sitting around waiting for a call. For any job opportunity, it’s all about perfect timing — don’t let a good one pass you by!

Always follow up.

It can be as simple as a short e-mail or (even better) a handwritten thank you note. It’s a personal touch that many skip these days, but it can really set you apart from the other candidates.