How To Win Your Interview

Nerves Be Gone

Interviews can be nerve-racking, even after you have been through more than you can count! Each interview can bring new and unique experiences, as well as, unique challenges too. At each interview meeting new people, ensuring that a great first impression is made, and selling yourself and skill-sets, can be intimidating, even exhausting! Staying true to yourself, while remaining upbeat and enthusiastic through the hiring process can seem like hard work, especially when you’re interviewing for a job you’d love have. We get it – the more you care about getting the job, the more likely you are to stress out over the interview outcome. Here at TDP, we’ve put together some tips for you to dramatically increase your chances of having a successful job interview the next time around.

1. Make A Dynamic First Impression

Wear clothing to spark a conversation: a lapel pin, bracelet, quirky tie or socks, etc.- something that connects to your culture, upbringing, or past adventures. Always dress business professional even if you know the office is more casual. It’s so much better to be overdressed than under.
Make Eye Contact- Positive eye contact is one of the strongest forms of nonverbal communication. A person’s qualities and personality can be determined simply based on eye contact.
Remember: Appearance and body language (visual image) accounts for 55% of an invaluable first impression.

2. Research

Study the current events of the company. Knowing the current events will allow you to ask pertinent questions about the company and will impress your interviewer.
Go beyond the homepage. Research the company’s blogs or quarterly reports. Being able to cite these items during your interview will make you stand out.
View their social media platforms and look further into the company’s involvement in their community.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice!

Practice makes permanent. Use your friends, family, or a mentor to ask you possible interview questions and practice the best ways to answer them.
Create a “cheat sheet”! Write down your story, goals, and accomplishments in summary form. This will help you remember all the pertinent information about yourself.

4. Elaborate & Prove Yourself

When the interviewer asks to talk about your resume/skill-set/traits/strengths, don’t just talk right from your resume, include childhood inspirations and/or deepest passions.
Show off your creativity and ability to think outside the box.
*Be careful though, you don’t want to trail off or talk about content not relate-able to the job or company.

5. Align Your Experience

Figure out how your experience, talents, or skill-set will impact the company and how those align with this specific position.
“Pausing, it’s okay!” Take a pause after each question and strategize for a few moments. The interviewer is listening to each answer and comparing it to how they want the person in the position to perform.

6. Leave a Lasting Impression

Ask questions! Plan ahead of time to ask questions specifically related to the firm or the job description.
Smile! Let your personality shine through during the entire interview. Nerves are okay, but if you forget to smile, you could come across cold and un-relatable.
Follow up! After the job interview, send a “thank you” note or email to the interviewer. Whatever method you choose, do it promptly after the interview. Many hiring decisions are made quickly these days, so timeliness is very important.