We’ve all been there.  Sitting there sweating, trying to come up with the “right answers” while the interviewer is treating you like everyone else– the same questions, tricks, and judgements.  Don’t let interviews keep you up at night tossing and turning with dread as nightmares of accidentally showing up in your underwear float through your head. Instead, allow them to be a time to showcase your abilities and talents to help you land that dream job.  Follow our tips and put those nerves to rest! 

1. Be prepared

This sounds obvious and simple right?  But being prepared includes everything from dressing professionally to researching the company and practicing before your interview.  Don’t forget to bring extra copies of your resume and cover letter with you, too. 

2. Be Confident

If you’ve made it to the interview stage, then it means that you already stood out. Research shows that doing a power pose, such as placing your hands on your hips, before you interview can even increase your chances of landing the job.  If striking a pose seems like a bit much, then at least make sure you’re calm, making eye contact, and high lighting the talents that you know make you perfect for the position.

3. Smile

Interviews are serious situations, but you still want to portray yourself as enthusiastic, too.  Smiling can help you make a better connection with your interviewer and can also help to boost your mood and make you more confident.  Doing a phone interview? Smile anyway!  The tone of your voice changes and smiles, head nods and other positive cues can still be picked up on even over the phone.

4. Be Early

This goes along with being prepared.  Not only is it important to leave yourself plenty of time for things like traffic or getting lost in the building, but it’s also good to have time to compose yourself.  Take a few minutes after you’ve arrived to go over notes about the company or review your own resume.  This will help put your brain into interview-ready mode. 

5. Be Professional From the Start

And the start is long before you walk into the interview room.  The second you park in their parking lot, or walk up to the main door, you should be on your best behavior. You never know when the person you hold the door for elevator for may be someone important.

6. Don’t Give Dumb, Overused Answers

Being “too hard working” is not a weakness.  What’s your biggest weakness is a standard question that deserves an honest response that won’t leave the interviewer rolling their eyes.  The catch?  Expand on your answer and explain what steps you’ve taken to improve and how you’ve learned and grown from it.  

7. Don’t Let Weird Questions Throw You

I’ve been in several interviews where they ask me anything from who my favorite TV character is to what state I think is the least important.  It’s easy to panic trying to determine what they’re looking for with these types of questions.  One of the most important parts of these questions is to answer them.  Never shrug them off by saying something like, “Oh I have a lot of favorites, I can’t pick.”  Instead, use these questions to help show your unique personality.  For example, pick a TV character you think you share similar positives qualities with and explain them to the interviewer. 

8. Ask Questions At the End

One of the most important parts of the interview is often overlooked by candidates.  I can absolutely guarantee that at the end of every interview you ever have you will be asked if you have any questions.  Never never NEVER say no.  This is the perfect time to show your enthusiasm for working there by asking anything from what a typical day might look like to what type of responsibilities you might have there.  Asking about opportunities for growth shows that you’re committed and looking to do more than the bare minimum.  The most important thing here is to show your genuine interest.

9. Make It Personal

Interviewers see many candidates a day and you don’t want to let yourself get lost in the mix.  Make sure to let your personality show throughout the interview to set yourself apart.  Even small gestures, like remembering the interviewers name and thanking them by name at the end can help.  Another way to connect with them is to ask what they like about working for the company or something similar. 

10. Follow Up

You can really set yourself apart from the crowd with one simple trick.  The day after the interview send a quick email or even a note thanking them for taking the time to talk to you.  It reminds them who you are, shows your enthusiasm and makes it more personal.   You can also ask at the end of the interview when you should expect to hear anything.  If that time comes and goes, don’t be afraid to check in and reaffirm your interest. 

Ready to apply and ace the interview?  Check out job/internship postings here! Have other tips we should have mentioned? Tweet us @SINDC! 

 – Hannah F.

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