We get it: Landing the interview is a huge step toward securing a great new job, but it’s not without some stressful moments. 

Thankfully, like with so many other things in life, you can prepare ahead of time to help ease your stress and walk into the meeting with confidence. Here are a few tips on how to prepare yourself for an interview. These tips are relevant no matter what position you’re interviewing for. We can all use some pointers! 

Do your homework.

Give yourself plenty of time to review the job posting to which you applied, but also spend time looking at the company’s website. Get to know what the company is all about by reading recent press releases, spending some time looking for company reviews, etc. If you can, find a few people on social media who work for the company and ask what they like about their jobs. Preparing for an interview means being familiar with the place where you might be working. It also helps you have an answer ready when you’re inevitably asked why you’re interested in the position. Which brings us to… 

Practice your interview answers.

So many questions asked in interviews can be anticipated, if not flat-out predicted. The person you interview with will want to know why you’re looking for a new job, what you found interesting about the company, your strengths and weaknesses, your goals, etc. Take some time to think about these answers now! Write down some of your thoughts as well, then read them over again just before going into the interview so your answers are fresh in your mind. Always be honest when responding. People can tell when you’re saying something just to make a good impression with your interviewer. Be honest and truthful; sincerity shines through. 

Prepare questions for your interviewer.

It’s something companies have been doing for a while now, so if you haven’t had to search for a job in a while, it might be something for which you’re unprepared. You will very likely be asked, at the end of the interview, whether you have any questions for the person interviewing you. This is your chance to ask a few questions that you’d like to know as a potential employee. Remember, the interview works both ways! Good questions to ask range from the simple “what do you like about your job,” to something more introspective like “what’s one thing you wish you knew about this company when you started,” to the professional and probing “what are the company’s biggest goals for the next fiscal year?” The kinds of questions you ask show that you’ve done your homework and put thought into preparing for the interview. They’ll know you’re serious about the position and interested in joining the team. 

Mind your movements.

Being nervous in an interview is fine. It’s expected! No one will judge you for a little mistake here or there. But you can and should do everything possible to appear confident, prepared and enthusiastic. Try on your interview outfit a day or two before the appointment to make sure you feel comfortable and confident in it and that no repairs are needed. Take a trip to find the location of the company’s office or the venue where the interview will take place to get a good sense of how long it will take to arrive. When you arrive, greet your interviewer with a strong handshake and a friendly smile. Remind yourself that you wouldn’t have been called in if they didn’t think you could handle the position. Maintain friendly, comfortable eye contact with the person when they ask you questions. It’s ok to look away or at your hands when preparing to answer, but don’t look away for too long or you’ll appear unsure and unprepared. Don’t fidget too much with your hands during the interview. Anything you can do to remain calm and poised will help! 

Keep breathing.

If you feel yourself getting a little anxious or overwhelmed, just take a deep breath. In through your nose, out through your mouth. This technique is proven to help calm your nerves and slow your pulse just a little bit to allow your brain to catch up. One deep, calming breath can make a big difference! If you’re rushing your answers, take a breath. If you’re unsure how to answer a question, take a breath. Buy yourself a little time and respond in confidence! 

Review your own resume before you go into the interview as well. Remind yourself where you’ve come from and where you want to go. Think about all you’ve accomplished, all you’ve learned and all the ways you’ve changed in your life. Whether you’re new to the job market or preparing for your next steps, remember that you can do anything you put your mind to! 

If you’d like more interview advice or if this opportunity doesn’t pan out, give FurstStaffing a call. We’re experts when it comes to helping talented job seekers, like yourself, find great new jobs with our clients and we’d be happy to help you too! Take a look at the jobs we’re currently working to fill and let us know what interests you. When you’re ready to learn more, call FurstStaffing.