7 Strategies That’ll Take Your Job Interviews to the Next Level

Going into a job interview can be scary, even terrifying. There’s certainly a lot of pressure no matter what role you’re up for; you want to make a good impression, sound knowledgeable and informed and most importantly, get the job, but so much could go wrong.

It’s all pretty intimidating, but knowing these seven simple tips will help to improve your performance and confidence levels!

1. Do Your Homework Ahead of Time

By simply googling the company, you can gain some helpful insights into what the company expects of its employees and the goods or services they provide. This will also prepare you for what you’ll be facing in the interview and makes you look good if you get asked questions specific to the company.

Looking into the company may also give you some questions to ask your interviewers. You can also be prepared by rehearsing some answers to common interview questions and things that you think might be asked in your interview. Here are some examples of what to look for when you’re doing your research:

• What are the responsibilities of the role you are pursuing? How does that role fit into the company at large?
• Who are the important people in the company?
• What is the company’s history?
• What direction is the company currently headed in and how will you fit into that?
• Do past employees have anything positive or negative to say about the workplace?
• What does the company’s social media and larger digital presence look like?

2. Dress Appropriately

This is so much more than dressing “professionally.” How you dress in an interview reflects how prepared and knowledgeable you are about the role you are pursuing.

In terms of general don’ts, avoid wearing jeans and clothing with tears or holes. If you have no idea where a company falls on the spectrum of formality, you can never go wrong wearing a nice button-down shirt, slacks or skirt, and dress shoes. Feel free to add any accessories or jewelry that are minimal but show personality. And remember: If you’re unsure of how to dress, it’s always better to dress up rather than down, but be careful not to go too far (for example, don’t wear a ballgown to the interview!).

I would also recommend checking out a company’s website and social media pages to see what employees are wearing in those photos.

And if you need more tips, our WayUp Guide has more tips for how to dress for a more traditional corporate setting versus a smaller startup company.

3. Open With a Firm Handshake

I cannot stress the importance of this enough! Your handshake is one thing you should definitely practice ahead of time, as it’s crucial you get it right. If you don’t, you’ll spend the remainder of the interview trying to repair a poor first impression instead of adding to it.

For a good handshake, make sure you are grasping the person’s hand firmly; don’t give a soft squeeze or go all dead-hand on someone. Try to avoid clammy and damp hands as well as overly dry hands. Make sure you maintain eye contact during the whole handshake, which will usually last two to three seconds. Also, beware of using scented lotions or other products, as some people might be allergic to them – and that definitely won’t leave a good impression!

4. Repeat the Question at the Beginning of Your Answer

This will make sure that you understood the question you’re being asked and will give you some time to think of an answer. If the question has multiple parts, break it down and repeat each section with its respective answer.

For example, a common question is to list your greatest strength and weakness. Obviously, no one wants to tell a possible employer about their weaknesses, but how you answer will paint a picture of how you deal with it and are working to improve it. If possible, try to list your weakness first, but make it clear that that’s what you’re doing. I usually follow that by telling interviewers what I’m doing to improve that particular quality. Next, tell the interviewer that you’re moving on to address the strength question. This one can also be tricky because you don’t want to sound like you’re bragging, but you also shouldn’t sell yourself short.

(If you want help answering questions about your greatest strengths and weaknesses, we have comprehensive guides to those here and here!)

5. Don’t Forget to Ask the Interviewer Questions

This goes back to having done your homework. Asking questions shows that you know a little about what you’re getting into and that you’re willing to learn. This also breaks up the interview so that the interviewers aren’t the only ones asking questions. Your goal is to create a conversation with the interviewer so that he or she can get to know you on a more personal level.

This would also be the time to ask about the things that weren’t listed on the job posting, like what a typical day at the company in this role looks like as well as some problems the company has faced and how it plans to move forward in the future.

6. Remember to Relax

This is probably the hardest thing to do during an interview because everyone’s nervous. However, like the handshake, smiling and showing that you’re comfortable creates a good impression and shows that you’re friendly and open to meeting new people.

This also relates to being aware of your body language throughout the interview. Avoid fidgeting or anything that would distract from your answers. I always make sure when I go into an interview that my hair is pulled back and out of the way so I’m not tempted to play with it. Make sure your nails are well-trimmed so that you’re not picking at them, and shave or trim any facial hair if you need to. Be mindful of where your hands are placed, preferably in sight, and that you’re not rocking in your chair, especially if it’s a swivel chair. Avoid crossing your legs if possible and definitely don’t slouch. Your whole body language should be positive and focused.

7. Thank Your Interviewers

After an interview is over, it can be easy to rush out and heave a huge sigh of relief, but there’s one thing you need to make sure you do first: Thank the interviewer(s). Everything about your interview should be genuine, but this especially. This is your closing impression because chances are, you’re not going to encounter these people again until you get the job there.

Before I leave the interview, I always make sure to include a handshake with my thank you and address each interviewer by name when I thank them. I’ll also throw in a line like “Thanks for taking time out of your day to meet with me” or “I look forward to hearing from you.” After you get home and the stress of the interview is over, send them an email or even a personal note thanking them again (if you need help with this, here’s some advice on how to write a great thank you note!). Even if you don’t get the job, this looks very professional and creates a lasting positive impression of you.

Nothing beats practice and experience when it comes to rocking an interview, so make sure you prepare before going into an interview and remember these crucial points. There are a lot of do’s and don’ts, so it’s important to remember why you’re applying for this job and why they should hire you. You have lots of valuable and unique skills and experiences, so don’t sell yourself short!