Did you know that a recruiter receives around 250 resumes for an online job posting? And out of that number, only 2-3% of applicants will get invited for a job interview?
If you’ve received an offering for a job interview, then congratulations, as that was no easy feat! But that’s not the end of your troubles just yet; you need to make a good first impression so you can nab your dream job.
In this article, we’ll discuss 7 ways to do so. That way, you’ll nail any job interview you attend!
1. Do Your Research
Employers want to see that you’re willing to put the work in to really get to know their companies. For this reason, they’ll usually sprinkle in questions about their brand so they can see if you’ve done your research or not.
This is why it’s vital you dig in deep to find out everything you can about the companies you’re interviewing at. For instance, you should research top dental implant companies so you know what an employer’s competition is like.
You should leverage the internet to find out small details of the company. For example, by checking out their social media posts, you can get a feel for their company voice and values.
Not only will you be better equipped to answer interview questions, but you’ll ask more in-depth questions of your own when it comes to that point in the interview. That’ll certainly get you lots of points in employers’ eyes.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice
We all get struck with anxiety and nervousness from time to time, especially when we’re on the brink of obtaining our dream job. If you’re not prepared for the typical interview questions, there’s a huge chance you’ll freeze on the spot.
You should look up what the commonly asked interview questions are and think about your answers.
Not only that, but you should practice responding out loud. Holding a mock interview with a friend is ideal, as you’ll get to simulate the situation as closely as possible.
3. Prepare Before You Go
It’s a bad idea to wing it when you have a job interview. That’s why it’s good to research and practice interview questions and responses.
In addition to that, you need to prepare even more. Print out copies of your resume, references, and anything else you feel like would help in your interview.
For instance, if you’re a writer, it might be beneficial to print out a few copies of your best short stories to show your interviewers.
All employers will ask what your salary expectations are, so don’t be caught off-guard. Have a good idea in your head, allowing some wiggle room for benefits.
They’ll also ask if you have any questions at the end. Many applicants are caught off-guard here too, so it’s best if you prepare them beforehand. It’s good to come up with a list while you’re researching the company.
In addition, you’ll want to bring a pen and notebook (or some blank pieces of paper). This will come in handy when you want to jot down any quick notes during your interview.
4. Choose the Right Interview Clothes
This is where your research will come in handy. While it’s better to go too formal rather than too casual, you want to dress right for your interview.
For instance, if you’re going to a very corporate business, you’ll want to go the whole 9 yards with a suit and tie (or formal dress).
But if you’re interviewing at a startup, you might want to go with dark semi-formal to even casual clothes, such as a nice sweater and slacks.
5. Make Sure Your Personal Hygiene Is up to Scratch
You probably already know that you shouldn’t walk into an interview without showering, washing and combing your hair, and putting on cologne or perfume afterward. This ensures that you both look and smell nice.
Also, it’s a given that you need to wear clean interview clothes that have been washed and ironed.
But if you’ve traveled quite a ways to get to your interview, you might not look or smell the best. This is especially true if the weather’s hot.
Make sure you arrive extra early and clean yourself up in a restroom before entering the building. Comb your hair again to ensure flyaways are tucked away, and reapply deodorant and/or your fragrance.
6. Arrive Early, but Not Too Early
If you’re having an interview somewhere you’re not familiar with, plan to arrive a bit early so if you get lost, you won’t be late. If you need to take public transportation, always go with the earlier departures rather than the later ones.
Take a few minutes to check out the location on Google Maps and utilize the street view option. That way, you’ll be more familiar with your surroundings.
If you arrive more than 15 minutes early, use this time to do item 5 on this list. Then, wait in the lobby and make some observations of the work culture.
7. Be Engaged
From the moment you step into the room to the moment you step out, make sure you’re engaged. Be as confident as you can be and show your interest and passion. There’s nothing worse than a disinterested candidate, after all.
Even if you’re lacking skills in some areas, you still might be considered for the job if you show you’re gung-ho about it!
Make a Good First Impression at Your Next Job Interview
With all of the above tips, you’re sure to make a good first impression for all your job interviews.
The key thing is to prepare early on and know all the potential answers you want to give to questions an employer might ask. The more confidently you can answer them, the better impression you’ll give.
With that said, we wish you the best of luck in landing your dream job!
If you enjoyed this article on how to make a good impression at a job interview, then make sure you check out our other posts for more great tips!
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