Interview Tips to Land Your Dream Job
With Career Fair around the corner, I thought that it would be important to share some tips and tricks during interviews so you can improve your odds at landing your dream job. I always believe that some of the key things for a job interview are similar to how you should be during a first date. As long as you are confident in yourself and believe that you are the most qualified for the job, chances are the interviewer will likely believe so as well. Charisma alone can get you very far, but here are some tips that’ll help you in the interview process.
1.Research the company before the interview
Knowing at least the bare minimum about a company will set you up for success during your interview. Having extensive knowledge about the company and the position you are applying for will set you apart from other candidates. If you are applying to a gaming company, knowing what games they have released in the last five years is a good start. If it is a technical position that you are applying for, understanding which software they use is essential not only during the interview but also if you get the job.
2. Prepare your answers for potential questions they might ask.
It is impossible to know exactly what questions you will be asked during an interview, but it is essential to be prepared for any questions they could potentially ask you. The simple “tell me about yourself” question is the most common during an interview since the person is trying to learn about your qualifications as an employee and as a person. Even the most qualified candidates might not get the position if the interviewer thinks you won’t be a good fit for the team. It might feel weird trying to describe who you are as a person, but it’ll get easier with enough practice. If you are applying to a position that requires a high amount of technical knowledge, make sure you are proficient in it before you apply.
3. Have a polished portfolio of work
You can be as charismatic as possible when you talk to the recruiter, but at some point, they’re going to need to see your work. If you hand them a poorly put-together portfolio, that’ll give them a negative impression of who you are as an employee. Make sure that your portfolio is organized and attention-grabbing; you can even show it to a friend or a family member to see what they think. Sometimes showing it to someone who has no knowledge about your field is the best thing because if they can understand your work and how it was created, then you know that you did a good job. Be prepared to answer questions about your work, including how long it took to make, what software was used, and other technical questions an interviewer might ask.
4.Present yourself in a professional manner
While it is important for you to be relaxed and composed during an interview, it is also essential to not get too comfortable during it either. Make sure that you are well-dressed and groomed and are at least 15 minutes early. I have also heard that it is best not to wear any cologne or perfume as it might distract the interviewer. Most interviews nowadays are on Zoom, so be sure to have yourself framed fully in your camera and that your background is not too distracting.
At the very end of an interview, the most important thing is to shake their hand and thank them for their time. Send the hiring team a thank you note through email or LinkedIn if it is online. Some companies go through extensive hiring processes and sometimes take a while to reach back out to you, but sending a polite email about a week after the interview wouldn’t be a bad idea to see if they still consider you as a candidate. There are many other methods you can use to ace your interview, but these are the basic steps that everyone should master before sitting down with their interviewer.