7 tips to nail an interview

Did you get a job interview? Congratulations! You're taking the first step towards a better working life but, are you ready to face the interview?

By following these simple steps, you will be one step closer to success and, with it, to being hired for that job you are so looking forward to.

1 - Introduce yourself with your name and surname

It may seem absurd, but introducing yourself to your interviewer with your first and last name will make you stand out from the other interviewees and increase the chances that he or she will remember your name. You will also give the impression that you are a confident and trustworthy person.

In the same way, it is advisable to call the interviewer by her or his name, as this will make you seem more confident and attentive to detail, and thus more likely to make a good impression.

In addition, if you only have to upload your CV to apply for the job, it's a good idea to contact the recruiter via email (if possible), introducing yourself to him or her and saying tank you for the opportunity. This will make you present in his mind and increase the chances of being hired.

2 - Get to know your interviewer

When you are called for the interview, it is usual that in the email or call you are told who will be your interviewer - this is key to knowing what questions will interest you most or what you should prepare! In case they don't tell you, you can always ask the caller who will be conducting the interview. Sometimes they are even done on a panel, meaning that you will be interviewed by more than one person.

Look for their names on LinkedIn and find out their role in the company. If the person in charge is from the human resources department, you can expect more conventional questions that look for your strengths and weaknesses. If the person belongs to a technical department, you can expect more questions related to theoretical knowledge about the position.

Also, you should do a research about the company and what they do, in order to be prepared for every question they can ask you.

3 - Prepare possible answers using the STAR method

When preparing your answers, use the STAR method:

• Situation

• Task

• Action

• Result

This will structure your answer and help the interviewer to take note of your strengths. In addition, you will show that you are organized and know how to deal with the key points, but try not to beat around the bush.

Some of the more typical questions might be

• Tell me about a situation where you made a mistake and how you solved it.

• Tell me about a challenging situation at work and how you were able to deal with it

• Tell me about a situation where you were faced with a complicated client and how you handled the situation.

4 - Properly select the clothes you will wear

We all know it doesn't make the same impression to appear in a suit and tie as it does in your favorite team's tracksuit, but a suit may not be the best choice for all occasions. After the research you've done on the company, you'll be able to get an idea of how the company's employees dress.

If you have not found the optimal style for the interview, take a look at their social networks, or at the human resources section of their corporate website, where images of their employees may appear and, with it, their way of dressing.

Also, according to scientific studies, interviewers tend to prefer candidates dressed in:

• Soft yellow: transmits possibility and helps to make a good impression

• Light pink: it transmits confidence and it is advisable to take it with you when you have to make a presentation (since in some interviews you are usually asked for a task)

• Green: inspires trust and is recommended to wear when working in a team

• Navy blue: makes you look confident and is used to persuade someone

Extra hack: if you have vision problems, avoid contact lenses and wear glasses to the interview, as it has been proven to increase your chances of getting the job by 20%.

5 - Pay attention to your hand movement

The movement you make with your arms and hands is key to detecting non-verbal language, which will reveal many things about you. It is recommended that your hands are always in view of the interviewer, as this reveals confidence, so you should not hide them or put them on your lap.

Avoid exaggerated movements, but you can accompany your answers with certain controlled movements, to convey confidence and show that you are not nervous.

In the same way, you should look the interviewer in the eye, which will convey confidence and security.

6 - Ask about future possibilities

No matter if it is a permanent or temporary position, the interviewers will like to know about your interest in staying with the company. You should reserve the question for the final moment, where they will ask you if you have any questions or want to know something about them. At that time, ask about the possibilities of the position in the future, about possible promotions or about being able to apply for a different position once the contract is over.

This will not only make a good impression, in which they will see that you have a real interest in the company, but it will also help you to know if you could have a better opportunity in the company over time, which may even motivate you more when it comes to starting the job when you are hired.

7 - Thank the interviewer and show your interest

Once the interview is over, you can take the opportunity to send an email to the interviewer thanking her or him for taking the time to interview you. Comment on how nice it was and take the opportunity to show your interest in the position, saying that you hope to hear from them soon.

In processes where you are facing a large number of candidates for the position, this can be beneficial, as you will be more easily remembered in a positive way and will be in the interviewer's mind when making a decision.

And done!

You're already closer to succeeding in a job interview. Take your time to prepare all the answers and, above all, stay calm during the process. This will ensure your success more than anything else!