How to Succeed in an Interview

The time has come. You have an interview coming up and you want to nail it. Doing well in an interview isn’t as hard as it may seem. Job interviews can be daunting, but your prep work happens before you even walk in the door. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 27% of job seekers get a job offer after submitting up to 10 applications. To improve your chances of getting a job offer after your next interview, read these tips.

Practice Your Communication Skills and Common Interview Questions

Don’t overlook the basics of verbal and nonverbal communication. Although standing straight, making eye contact, and connecting with a firm handshake are relatively simple things, they can make a huge difference in the impression you give the interviewer.

Although every interview will be different, there are some common interview questions you can practice to build your confidence and ensure you highlight your qualifying skills. You can practice these aloud to yourself or have someone run through a mock interview with you. Some examples of common interview questions are:

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • How did you hear about this position?
  • Why should we hire you?
  • What can you bring to the company?

Oftentimes you won’t be able to predict all of the questions. However, you can get a good idea of what important assets you will want to mention. Check out career training courses for more interview question examples to practice!

Ask Good Questions At the End

Part of knowing how to interview is being ready to ask questions that demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. There is nothing wrong with having a short list of questions and thoughts- it shows you have done your research and want to know more about the organization and the position.

Listen, Listen, and Listen!

One of the most crucial interview tips: Listen. From the very start of the interview, your interviewer will be giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing and understanding it, you are missing a major opportunity to impress them and show that you care. Also, be sure you understand the questions being asked; if not, ask for clarification, or restate it in your own words. Answer completely and concisely.

Interviews can be extremely nerve-wracking at times. If you want to do well at your next one, follow these tips to be more at ease!

Check out this page on our website to learn more about the ACT WorkKeys Assessment (an assessment to help you measure your essential workplace skills).