How to Succeed in a Job Interview

Job interviews are mixed blessings for a lot of job seekers. You may feel really excited to get a call back from an employer, but that is often followed by some level of anxiety. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to take control of the situation.

Your mindset matters in a job interview

The first piece of advice - get into the right mindset. Remember, this is a mutual evaluation. You’re interviewing the employer as much as they are interviewing you. The key is to know what you want. Ask yourself a series of questions to find out what will be right for you. Know where you want your career to be in five years. Know what you need to make that happen. Know what support you need from a company to hit that mark.

Research and preparation will set you up for a successful job interview

Research doesn’t stop at reading the ‘about page’ on the company website. Dig deeper to find challenges the company is facing or upcoming changes that are being planned. (Glassdoor is great for this). Review the leadership team, and the employees (yes…you can leverage LinkedIn to learn more about the people that work there).

How you prepare for the job interview can determine how the conversation goes once you’re in the meeting. Preparation allows you to tailor your responses and can position you as the solution to the employer’s problems.

Pace yourself during a job interview

You should be prepared to tackle almost anything interviewers throw at you. Try not to get too flustered or nervous. The key is to pace yourself so that you’re confident and deliberate in what you say. Before answering a question, take a deep breath and organize your thoughts. And don’t be afraid to ask meaningful questions at the end of your interview.

For more information on how to ace your interview, check out the Interview category in our Virtual Resource Room at Calgary Career Hub