Ace Your Next Interview

You’re finally in the door. The hard part is over. All you have to do now is make a good impression at your interview, show them you have what it takes to handle the position and woo them with your charm. Piece of cake, right?

Not so fast.

Succeeding during an interview requires preparation and technique. The last thing you want to do is show up and act like you own the place. Confidence is key, but cockiness could turn your potential employer off completely.

By following the steps below, you could put yourself in good position to succeed during your interview and make a lasting impression.

Step 1: Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

You’ve already applied for the position, so odds are you know a little bit about the company and what they do. If you don’t, you should. Start by doing some research. Find out exactly what they do and what your job responsibilities might entail. Read reviews about the company online, talk to people who work there and gain some background knowledge. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be to answer any questions they might have. Participating in mock interviews and practicing your answers to certain questions could also be beneficial.

Step 2: Get Your Game Face On

Ok, so you’re prepared. Now you have to get in the right mind set to make an impact. As we mentioned before, confidence is key. You don’t want to look scared or intimidated. You also don’t want to be overly confident. Settle somewhere in the middle. You’re going to a serious interview, but don’t be afraid to be yourself. Just be confident in who you are, what you’re there to do and what you can add to the company.

Step 3: Stay Calm

No matter how confident you are, negative thoughts are probably going to creep into your head. When they do, don’t pay attention. They wouldn’t have called you in if they didn’t think you could be a good fit for the position. Take a deep breath. If they ask you a question you don’t know the answer to, be honest. Don’t make something up. You’re not there to show them you know everything. Reasonable employers won’t expect that. They want to hire someone who is able to learn, adapt and think on their feet.

If you’ve got a big interview coming up, consider following the steps above. Who knows, maybe you’ll be celebrating a few day later.