Sep 4, 2020 in Career Coaching

9 Steps to Nail Your Next Job Interview

Check out this 9 steps that will surely help you nail your next job interview.

You may think the possibility of a real-life job interview is only plausible in the far future, with COVID-19 placing the world under lockdown. But now almost all companies are undertaking virtual job interviews - and in light of the current shift to remote work, you will find yourself interviewing for jobs through a screen until companies return to in-person hiring methods. 

These top 9 skills for absolutely nailing your job interview are just as applicable in the virtual world as they are in real life. So make sure you pay attention because these key tips and skills could be the deciding factor between whether you land that job or not. 

Seriously. You'll want to note this down.

1.Background Check

Research, research, research. Going into that job interview, you'll want to know everything - and I mean everything you possibly can - about the company you are applying for and your interviewer. Find out what their goals are, their accomplishments, what they're looking for in employees, what their company culture is and how many pets their CEO had as a child (okay, that last one is a little over the top, but still, better be safe than sorry, right?). Researching the company proves to the interviewer that you are willing to put the effort in - and it also shows how much you want the job. Putting in the extra effort will no doubt increase your chances of nailing the job.

2. Prepare to run through your resume 

Take time to memorize your resume and most importantly your measurable results. For each of your previous roles be prepared to answer the questions:

1. What were you hired to do?
2. What did you achieve?
3. What were your weaknesses in the role?
4. What would your boss or supervisor rate you on a scale from 1-10?

And, perhaps even more importantly, how will you prove this to them? It is essential that you point out certain aspects of your background that show you will excel in the job you're applying for.

Get specific. It can be tricky, especially under pressure, but this is why you need to prepare for this kind of situation. You need to prove to them through talking through your resume that you are, without a doubt, the best candidate for the job. Once you accomplish this first step, you're on your way to nailing that job interview.

3. Make a good first impression

"There's never a second chance to make a first impression."

Nothing rings truer when it comes to job interviews. First impressions mean everything, and that is why the first impression you give to your interviewer has to be gobsmackingly amazing. Act friendly, show up on time, dress the part, have a nice posture - all of these little things that you may pass off as irrelevant can actually add up in deciding whether you get the job or not. They are going to be working with you if they hire you, so you want to show them that they would enjoy working with you.

4. Be yourself

Okay, so yes, I've been telling you all about adjusting your appearance and your behavior to nail the job - but don't forget to be yourself! If they do hire you, after all, they'll be exposed to your true self. It will be exhausting having to put up a fake front the whole time. Be yourself - if you aren't a good match, then the job just wasn't the right fit anyway.

Wow, that was a paradoxical metaphor. You're writing this down, right?

5. Body language

Back straight, chin up, shoulders squared - sound like your mother? Well, she's right. Body language is one of the biggest communicators of how you feel during the job interview. If you're slumped over, they may get the impression that you're uninterested. If you're too rigid and have a twitch going off in your eye, they'll probably think you're way too fidgety and nervous to work well in the job and that you're not confident in yourself.

Relax, enjoy the experience - act like you are talking to your future colleagues.

6. Give them the evidence

You never accuse someone of being guilty without some hard evidence, right? Well, the same goes for job interviews. Never claim you have some high-order thinking skill, without giving proof of said high-order thinking skill. Give concrete examples: give evidence that will literally show them you are perfect for the job. Think of them as a judge in a courtroom, and this is like a life or death situation to prove you're innocent (sound harsh, but job interviews can feel that way sometimes). 

You have to provide good evidence that will convince them to hire you. So provide it. Before you go in, have a concrete list of hard evidence to back up why you're the person for the job.

7. Know what you're applying for

Okay, if you haven't figured this part out before the job interview then you've got to revisit. You have to know what you're applying for! What will your tasks entail and what will they expect of you? Read the job description thoroughly so you can be aware of what skills you'll need, and therefore what skills you need to show them that you have.

Having a thorough understanding of the job description and tasks related to the role will show you are confident and that you can indeed fulfill the role.

8. Ask questions

Please - ask questions! This is key to nailing an interview as it displays not only your interest in the job, but also your curiosity in learning more about the company, your potential team, work environment, and culture. This displays your perseverance, your adaptability, your enthusiasm - all in just a few, well-measured questions!

Take note of the responses you get from the questions you ask and include them in the next step

9. Follow up and slam dunk!

You need to follow up on that job interview and slam dunk to leave a lasting impression. Send a Thank You email to each person you interviewed with thanking them for taking the time to meet with you and considering you for the position.

Here is a great place to add in one unique thing you learned about the interviewer or something that resonated with you during the interview.

"Jack, I particularly loved what you said about the necessity of ongoing learning to create exponential growth, and when I saw this article I thought of our conversation (link article)."

Adding that personal touch is a sure way to end with a slam dunk!

So there you have it. The top 9 tips and tricks to nailing your job interview. Now you can head into your next job interview - whether it is in person or virtual - with absolute confidence. Good luck!

Download your free guide to double your interviews in the next 60 days: The Standout Candidate Toolkit 

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