Take This Advice To Wow Your Interviewer

By Ian Acosta on April 30, 2017

Applying for jobs is a strenuous, nerve-wracking ordeal for many college students. In addition to focusing on quizzes, exams, and other homework, there must be time devoted to seeking out a potential internship or full-time position. This is a lot to ask of a college student, no doubt.

So, what to do? Ace your interviews. What is the best way to do that? Well, it is a good thing you are reading this article. In all seriousness, each interview is a chance to stand out and prove to your potential employer why they picked your resume from the piles of others.

Here are some tips to make the most of every interview and to leave a lasting impression on your interviewer.

Dress to impress

First, impressions are everything. Make sure your suit is clean and sleek. Check that your tie is not crooked. Wipe any dirt or smudges off of your shoes. Pick the color you dress best in (black or navy is best.) Overall, look the part.

There is one piece of advice that I take with me to whatever interview I go on and that is this: Dress for the job you want to have. You want this opportunity, that is why you are here. Dress so that when you walk through the door to shake your interviewer’s hand, they immediately envision you in the role.

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Develop a firm handshake

What does every interview start off with? A handshake. A firm handshake is a sign of confidence and an indication that you are a strong, worthy candidate. Can you be nervous? Of course, many are nervous during an interview but that is all self-talk.

Be sure to not drag the handshake out too long, though, because then it would just make things awkward. Walk with a pep in your step, look good, and give a firm introductory handshake that will set the tone for your conversation.

Put on a professional demeanor

Demeanor is everything. Remember you are talking with a potential coworker. Treat not only the company but also the interviewer with respect. Do not act too cocky and too casual because people will see right through you. Be calm, cool, and collected and always be professional and courteous with your interviewers.

Practice, practice, practice

Role-play your interviews. Ask a classmate, parent, current coworker, or whomever to help act out the role of an interviewer with you. It will give you instant feedback that you can take with you when it matters the most. Additionally, it allows you to practice and think about responses to questions you may be asked during the interview.

Apply for jobs you may not be interested in also. If you are asked to interview, it will again provide a real-life opportunity to practice what you say and make you more comfortable overall with the interview process. Never pass up an opportunity to learn something.

Be excited

Genuine excitement and intrigue will go a long way when interviewing for a position. You applied for the position so naturally, you should be somewhat ecstatic about the opportunity!

Do not overdo it too much though or else risk turning off the interviewer. Companies want to hire genuine people who they think will be a good fit. You have to sell yourself for the position and part of that is your attitude. A motivated, excited employee will prove to be more useful for both sides.

Ask questions

Specifically, ask questions around the role you for which you are applying. It will not only show that you have done your homework and research for the role, but it will show that you have put some thought into aspects of the role, i.e. you are very interested.

Some I like to ask are as follows: What type of candidate are you looking for? If there was one piece of advice you could provide to be successful in this role, what would it be? What is one quality everyone who has been successful in this role shares? If there was one thing to improve the role or the company in general, what would it be? What is the most important thing I can do to contribute right away?

The more detailed questions you ask, the more impressed your interviewer is likely to be.

Tell a story

Your interviewer will no doubt give you the usual interview questions like, “Can you tell me about a time when …?” While you should no doubt have an answer prepared for these types of questions, try your best to make a story out of it. Weave your answers around little anecdotes or short stories of yourself and how you showed the exact skill or trait that the interviewer is trying to see if you possess.

Remember, the main thing the interview is supposed to accomplish is this: does this candidate have the background and skill set we are looking for? Share your experiences and how they helped you develop your skillset with a memorable experience.

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