How to Nail a Job Interview

Written by Prakrati Kadekar

Edited by Lucia Koo & Krithika Rajesh

You just received an email from a company for the job position you applied for. You open it up and see that you’ve landed a job interview! Congratulations!

But you are in a state of panic now—how do you prepare for it? How do you impress your interviewer?

Don’t worry. Here are some tips that will help you nail that interview and land you the job!

(These tips also apply for an internship or a leadership position.)

Tips for Interview Preparation

The time before your interview is important. If you want to make a good impression, make sure you have the following areas covered.

1. Research the company and your interviewer(s)

This is key information that will help you feel more confident during your interview. Look through the company’s website, its mission statement, social media posts, and other resources to gain a solid understanding of the company’s goals and its background. Googling your interviewer is also helpful. Read through his/her social media posts or Linkedin. If you can, find his/her name and its pronunciation. This will make a good impression on your interviewer.

2. Practice your answers to common interview questions

These questions seem easy to respond to at first glance, but in the interview, you might stutter or blank out. If you want to answer them fluently, practice. Here are some common interview questions and guidelines for your answers:

• Tell me about yourself - Give an overview of your current position and provide specific highlights that make you qualified for the role

• How would you describe yourself? - When an interviewer asks this question, he/she is looking for the qualities that align with the role you want.

• Why do you want to work here? - This is your chance to show that you have done your research on the company and why you think you will fit this role.

• What interests you in this role? - An interviewer is looking at whether you have read the job description beforehand. Talk about a few things you excel at that fits the job.

• What are your strengths? - This question gives you the opportunity to talk about your skills. Speak about your best characteristics and connect them to the role you want.

• What are your weaknesses? - This might seem counterintuitive since you’re expected to focus on the positives, but if you answer this correctly, your response will show that you want to improve. Explain your weaknesses but also indicate that you are aware of and working on them. This would make a great impression on your interviewer.

• Where do you see yourself in five years? - Your interviewer will decide whether your personal goals fit in with the role you want. Talk about the general skills you want to learn and the accomplishments you envision achieving in the future.

3. Have a list of references

Your interviewers may require you to show them your references before/after the interview. Having this would save time for your interviewer.

4. Make sure to have questions for the interviewers

Your employers expect you to ask questions. It shows that you’re taking this role seriously. Never ask how much your salary is. Here are some questions you can ask your interviewer:

• What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?

• What departments does this role work with regularly?

• Can you show me some examples of projects I’d be working on?

• How will I be trained?

• What are some tasks you’d like to see me accomplish in the first few months?

• What is your favorite part about working here?

• Where do you see this company in the next few years?

• I’ve read about the company’s goals, but can you tell me more about ...?

Tips For Interview Follow Up

1. Plan your interview attire the night before - If you can, ask your recruiter about the dress code and choose your attire accordingly.

2. Bring copies of your resume as well as a notebook & pen - In case there is more than one interviewer, make sure to have at least five copies of your resume on a clean sheet of paper. Prepare to take notes on your role in your notebook, not on an electronic device.

3. Arrive 10-15 minutes early before your scheduled interview time - Make sure you know the directions to the interview location so you arrive on time. If possible, do a practice run so that you know the way and have backup routes to your location.

4. Make sure you look great! - Shine your shoes, comb your hair, and check your clothes for any holes, spills, or hair. Don’t forget to smile!

5. Portray confident body language - Sit or stand tall with your shoulders back. Before your interview, take a deep breath to lower your anxiety. Make eye contact and hold a firm handshake.

6. Tie your answers back to your accomplishments - Use every question as a way to meet the requirements on the job description.

7. Keep your answers focused and concise - No interviewer wants to see you ramble. Your interviewer’s time is valuable.

8. Do not speak negatively about your past employers - Your interviewer is looking for a candidate who can overcome challenging scenarios. Focus on what you have gained from that experience and elaborate on what you want to do next.

Tips for After the Interview

Ask for a follow-up

After your interview, ask your interviewer about the next steps. Expect a response such as an email, another interview, or an additional requirement if necessary to proceed to the next application stage.

Send a thank-you note

If possible, ask for your interviewer’s business card so you can follow up with a thank-you email. Make sure that your email is unique to each interviewer if there is more than one.

There you go! By following these tips, you will have a successful interview. Be confident in yourself, always put a smile on your face, and you’ll definitely land your dream job!

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Prakrati Kadekar is a high school junior from New Jersey. She loves sports, especially tennis and taekwondo. She also loves chess and graphic design. She wants to have a career in the psychology or neurology field.