Acing the Job Interview

You submitted a stellar resume and landed an interview. Great! Now you have to ace the interview. At the interview, you will want to make a good impression, so make it count! Remember the interviewer is interested in learning if you will fit in. The interviewer will be looking to discover if you can and will do the job. Here are some tips to give yourself an edge!

1. Research – Before you go into the job interview, it is very important to make sure you research the organization inside and out. This shows the employer that you are taking the interview seriously, and that you really do want to work for the organization.
2. Practice , Practice, Practice– As they say, practice makes perfect, so that means that you should practice doing an interview before the actual one! You can easily find sample interview questions online that is related to your field. SFU has partnered up with Interview Stream, where you can simulate an interview by answering pre-recorded questions using your webcam. From there you are able to playback and assess your verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
3. Dress To Impress – The golden cardinal rule: dress one level above what is expected at the workplace. This does not mean to rock out the tuxedo, but a nice suit and tie or blazer and pencil skirt will make you look very neat and presentable. Also, dress according to the industry; for the business oriented job dress more conservative, while at a more creative position, dress so that it suggest you are creative!
4. Bring Your Resume – and bring an extra copy for the employer. He/she may already have a copy in front of them already, but the resume is for you! You are allowed to refer to your resume to help answer questions about your experiences and qualifications. Think of it as cue cards; this will help you think of what to say without saying too much.
5. Transferrable Skills – Make sure you research thoroughly the company’s history as well as the job requirements. Do they require strong communications skills? Make sure you are able to provide an example of your skills.Your job as a coffee shop barista who deals with lots of customers every day might perfectly illustrate your communication skills.
6. Ask questions – When you ask questions, this shows that you’ve done your homework. The employer always asks if you have any questions for them, and this is a test to see how much research you have done and to see what kind of personality you have. Some questions include what is the work environment like, and if you were to get this position, what can you do to exceed his/her expectations?
7. The Handshake – This first handshake is a key part in establishing a positive impression. Strong and firm, yet not having a bone-crushing death grip is key!

Now that you have read the brief primer on how to ace the job interview, don’t forget that if you need practice, Career Services offers career coaching, as well as mock interviews to help prepare you for that interview! Visit us today!

Here are two resources that will help you practice for the interview:

• Interview Stream - Record yourself answering interview questions (Access through Symplicity)
• Quintessential Careers - Tutorials on how to prepare for the interview

Photo Credit of University of Waterloo