Here are six strategies that will take your interviewing experience to the next level.
Establish the right mindset beforehand
According to Steve Errey of the Daily Muse, if you're nervous, don't assume your interviewer is there to be judgemental and mean. The hiring person is not your opponent, but he/she is hoping to be impressed. So get yourself hyped for the interview.
This can be pretty difficult for some, especially if you've got a lot on the line. Try taking some deep breaths. A good trick for maintaining a sense of calm is visualising your success and accepting that rejection's a possibility, but not an inevitability.
Prepare some good questions
Asking good questions that demonstrate your knowledge and interest in the job is exactly what you have to do in order to demonstrate your engagement. It's often impossible for people to think up informed questions on the spot, so write some down beforehand. Rehearse them a bit, if that makes you feel more comfortable.
Do your homework when it comes to money
Money is usually an awkward subject to begin with, which makes it especially easy to bungle in a job interview. Doing your homework is key to avoiding salary-related awkwardness in your conversation with the hiring person. Know your worth. Know the market.
Stick to your thesis
If you are anxious or speaking with an experienced interviewer, it can be easy to diverge from your interview. You might end up failing to demonstrate the value you can bring to the organisation.
Make sure to always keep the focus on what you can do for the organisation. Treat your interview a bit like an essay. Everything you discuss should pertain to one thesis.
Pretend as if you're about to start work tomorrow
Do you want to nail that job interview? Pretend that you already have the job. It's a bit of extra effort, but it can really put you far ahead of the competition.
Ask about the next steps
If you are particularly nervous or new to the hiring process, it can feel a bit daunting to ask about the next steps. Still, asking about the follow-up process demonstrate to the hiring manager that you're realistic and serious about the job.
Source: TIME
