Four steps to a better job interview
Losing out on a job after you鈥檝e gone all the way through the interview process can be discouraging. But instead of focusing on what went wrong, take the opportunity to ask: How can you improve next time?
For instance, many recent grads don鈥檛 realize that, just as they studied for tests, they need to聽聽thoroughly for an interview, says Mercy Eyadiel of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
鈥淪ometimes they underestimate how competitive the landscape is,鈥� says Eyadiel, the university鈥檚 associate vice president of career development and corporate engagement. 鈥淭he person that actually does the homework really stands out.鈥�
There are lots of ways to demonstrate you鈥檙e an ideal candidate. Keep these tips in mind to wow your potential future employer at your next job interview.
1. Research the company.
Before your interview, learn everything you can about the company. Read up on its mission, executive team and new products or initiatives. Take a look at its Facebook page and Twitter feed.
If you know who will be interviewing you, look up their profiles on the company site or on LinkedIn and note where they鈥檝e worked. If an element of their backgrounds relates to a topic you鈥檙e discussing, bringing it up will demonstrate that you took the job opportunity seriously.
For instance, if you鈥檙e applying for a job as a product manager, and the interviewer worked in that role previously, you could say: 鈥淚 read in your bio that you have a background in product management. What do you think it takes to be successful in this position?鈥�
2. Ask questions of your own.
An interview is a chance to ask questions, not just answer them. While there鈥檚 nothing wrong with coming prepared to showcase your skills, don鈥檛 let your enthusiasm keep you from learning everything you can about the position and company.
It鈥檚 is a good time to ask about company culture, Eyadiel says, as well as about specific projects you鈥檇 be working on and what it takes to be successful in the role 鈥� anything that鈥檚 not clear in the job posting. She recommends thinking of an interview this way: 鈥溾�業t鈥檚 a conversation I鈥檓 having about an opportunity,鈥� versus: 鈥業鈥檓 being evaluated and I need to make sure I鈥檓 getting everything out that I want to say to convince them.鈥欌��
Forgetting to ask reflective questions 鈥� and giving long-winded, rambling responses 鈥� are common ways grads trip up in interviews. So be sure to slow down, and keep answers concise and directly related to the role you鈥檙e interviewing for. Rehearse answers to common questions. Prepare聽聽your interviewer, but leave room for spontaneous ones, too.
3. Relate your experience to the position.
Karen Evans, director of career development at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania, says there鈥檚 a common reason employers tell her that candidates failed interviews: 鈥溾�楾hey couldn鈥檛 relate what they鈥檝e done to what I need.鈥欌��
To avoid that trap, make references to how you鈥檇 apply your skills or experiences to the role.
Say you worked as the community service chair of your sorority, and you鈥檙e applying for a job in sales. You could tell your interviewer: 鈥淚 planned day-long volunteering projects at animal shelters. I developed sales-related skills by persuading students to volunteer, promoting the events on social media and building trusted relationships with our partner organizations. At your company, I鈥檇 use these skills to bring on new accounts and strengthen existing ones.鈥�
4. Send a thank-you email.
Following up after the interview shows you鈥檙e still interested in the position and appreciate the opportunity.
Lay the groundwork for following up before you鈥檝e even left the room. Evans advises ending the interview by letting your interviewer know you鈥檙e hoping to advance to the next round.
鈥淭he student can simply express enthusiasm for the position,鈥� she says, suggesting the applicant say, 鈥溾�業 really like how this position sounds, and I鈥檓 looking forward to the next step in this process.鈥欌��
Send a well-written thank-you email, ideally within a day or two. In your email, incorporate a couple of details you learned about the job and stress how much you鈥檇 like to join the company.
You could say, 鈥淚 really enjoyed hearing about the sales team鈥檚 new account acquisition strategy. I鈥檓 eager to contribute the marketing and communications skills I developed during my internships to help make the initiative successful.鈥�
A good interview takes preparation and a lot of confidence. But your skills improve with each one, Evans says.
鈥淭he more you say things, the more you practice, the smoother you become.鈥�
This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published at聽.
Brianna McGurran is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email:bmcgurran@nerdwallet.com.
