When a company is interested in you, they call you in for an interview. Regardless of your qualifications and the perfect resume you may believe reeled them in, the job isn’t yours unless your interview is a success.
Employers will use the interview to determine many things that will allow them to make a final decision, such as:
- Who you are
- Your professional background
- How suitable are you for the role
- Your work ethics
- Your social skills
- Your interest in their brand
It’s best to always come in prepared, as that significantly improves your chances of landing the job. Let’s help you get ready for that job interview with these tips to keep in mind:
- Know the Brand
Imagine walking into an interview and failing to answer any question about the company you hope to work for.
That’s a bad start, as it shows a lack of motivation and interest.
Interviewers expect you to be proactive in getting to know who they are and what they do if you are serious about working with them.
Spend the weeks or days before the interview looking up the company and getting to know not just what they do but why and how. That info will come in handy when asked what you hope to bring to the table.
- Prepare for Drug Testing
In some professions, it’s necessary to test for drugs. Some employers may personally require drug testing before they hire you.
For that reason, it’s best to stay away from drugs in the days leading to your interview because you never know when exactly you’d be required to come in for testing.
What if you’re asked to take a routine drug test right after the interview as a final requirement for the role?
It’s important to know the length of time certain drugs can stay in your system because they vary.
A drug like marijuana is legal in many states for medicinal and even recreational use. But having it show up in a drug test isn’t a good thing if the company has a policy against it.
Find out on Veriheal how long THC remains detectable in your system to help plan accordingly.
- Review Industry Questions
Besides striving to learn more about the company, you need to arm yourself with industry-specific questions.
Interviewers expect you to be knowledgeable on the issues related to the industry. They may ask questions about current challenges and what you can do in response to them.
When looking for competency, employers will want you to demonstrate knowledge relevant to the industry, not general info.
You may be qualified, but an interview is a one-shot session that decides your fate. It’d be best to brush up on your skills.
- Perfect Your Manners
How you carry yourself during an interview can be the difference between nabbing the position and not getting it.
Your manners say a lot about you. You could be more than qualified but fail to impress the interviewer due to how you come off.
Remember, it always pays to be polite, forthcoming, and humble. While you shouldn’t put yourself down, try not to come off like you’re boasting.
- Learn Behavioral Questions
Most of the time, interviewers ask behavioral questions. These are meant to give them an idea of how you handle certain situations in your role.
These questions are generally centered on things regarding your previous position and the role you played. If you’re not sure how to approach behavioral questions, use the recommended STAR system to guide your responses.
- Be Active
Have you ever tried having a conversation with a wall?
Well, you can’t, so don’t be a wall, as it may put off the interviewer faster than anything else you do.
It’s understandable if you’re not a person of many words. However, keep in mind that the interview is about you. Being passive is not going to help.
Some interviewers don’t lean that much into questions making your job all about responding to their queries. You may find that the better part of the session is just a conversation that touches on many things, even the interviewer’s life.
You need to be able to carry out a conversation freely.
The Bottom Line
The interviewer doesn’t know who you are. It’s through the interview that they learn more about you and what you can do. For that reason, you must prepare well in advance to present yourself in the best light.