11 Tricks to Nail That Job Interview

Prepare yourself to float into your next job interview and nail it.

Take a look at this list of 11 tricks and see what you can add to your repertoire:

1. Don’t lie on your resume.
   That is a rookie mistake and can seriously blow up in your face. Rather be honest about your shortcomings and make known your willingness to learn new things. Many companies would rather train someone into a position than have them unlearn patterns and behaviours.
2. Prepare little one-liners.
   By memorizing certain little phrases that can show your skills and achievements well, you can not only impress your interviewer, but also avoid any awkward silences or scary moments. An example could be, “I’ve worked on marketing campaigns for two Fortune 500 companies.”
3. Mimic the way your interviewer sits and moves.
   This may sound like a playground tactic, employed by children, but it can be very useful. If you can mimic your interviewer’s way of speaking and mannerisms, you can put him or her at ease and make him or her feel like you are an old friend. You can gauge your progress by taking a drink of water – if you’ve mimicked them correctly, the chances are very high they will take a drink of water at the same time as you.
4. Practice before your interview and record it.
   If you’ve ever worried about how you sound or come off in an interview, why not record yourself? You can then take a look at your interview style and assess your strengths and weaknesses.
5. Ask them why they wouldn’t hire you.
   Just as you feel the interview coming to an end, ask a question that can give you another chance to nail it. “Is there anything that I’ve told you in this interview about my history or education that is cause for concern?” This gives you a great chance to put any doubts to bed.
6. Ask them for some work to take home.
   It’s one thing to sound great in an interview, but another thing to work well. If you ask for a trial assignment, you can prove to your potential employer just how well you can work.
7. Do your homework.
   Some might call it stalking. Others will call it homework. You should at least Google the person who is interviewing you and the company you are applying to, but also dig a little deeper – you have nothing to lose.
8. Bring a prop.
   This may be a portfolio of previous work, or anything that you can use to further your interview. Also, having something to hold on to can calm those nerves.
9. We.
   When you’re in an interview and you use the word, “I,” too much, you can come off as self-involved or too full of yourself. Rather play down your self-aggrandisement and let them know that you can be a team player too.
10. Body language is important.
    When it comes to body language, you can do a lot of communicating. Lean forward when you are speaking to the interviewer so they know you are keen and positive. Leaning back can seem like you’re uninterested.
11. Be yourself.
    This may seem like the advice given for a first date, but it never pays to try and be something you’re not – you could get hired for a job that you hate because the corporate culture actually doesn’t suit your personality. Be honest.

Related posts:

1. Describe Yourself As An Insect and Other Strange Interview Questions
2. Preparing for the Interview
3. 5 Easy Tricks for Remembering Names