6 Steps for A Successful Job Interview

Martin sits nervously at his desk, watching the clock tick away the minutes until 2:00 pm. That’s when his phone call interview is scheduled to take place. This could be the opportunity he’d been waiting for – a chance to interview for an opening in a big company.

But he’s worried. “What if I blow it? What if I freeze up or say something I shouldn’t? What if the hiring manager doesn’t like me? How can I possibly impress them over the phone in just 30 minutes?” All these questions are racing in his mind.

But he reminds himself to take a deep breath as he is fully prepared. Now it’s time to put those preparations into action.

As the hands of the clock creep closer to 2, he runs through the 7 steps his interview coach told him are crucial for interview success during his mock interview session. Here is what he keeps reminding himself.

1. Research the Company Thoroughly

It’s impossible to impress if you know nothing about the employer. It is important to spend some time researching online and learning as much as I can about the company’s products, leadership team, culture, and industry trends.

Get to know their annual revenue, mission statement, and recent acquisitions like the back of your hand. With this level of knowledge under your belt, you will be able to ask insightful questions and demonstrate why you are a great fit.

2. Have Examples Ready that Sell Your Skills

Interviewers want to know specifics – what you’ve accomplished in past roles and how your skills align with the job at hand. Create a list of 5-7 notable achievements from my previous marketing positions along with metrics to showcase my impact.

Also pull together concise examples that highlight qualities like communication, problem-solving, and leadership in a way employers will connect with. Practicing sharing these stories out loud will help boost your confidence further.

3. Anticipate Tough Questions and Practice Your Responses

No interview is complete without those dreaded challenges like “Tell me about a time you failed” or “What is your greatest weakness.”

Anticipate that these questions may come up, and think through honest, learning-focused answers ahead of time. Of course, practicing responding will be key to remaining poised and thoughtful under pressure.

Considering tricky questions upfront means you won’t be caught off guard at the moment.

4. Review Your CV and Background

With only 30 minutes to chat, there won’t be time for lengthy explanations. That’s why you ought to spend extra time reviewing my CV the night before the interview.

By re-familiarizing yourself with your experience, education, previous roles, and accomplishments, you’ll be able to concisely summarize any part of your background if asked.

It’s similar to doing homework – being prepared earns you extra credit on test day.

5. Test Equipment and Dress the Part

In the case of a phone interview, it may not be face-to-face, but first impressions still matter greatly. So, make sure to test your audio and video setup the day before to avoid any technical issues disrupting the call.

And even though the hiring manager can’t see you, dress professionally in case the need to switch to video partway through arises.

Looking polished from the waist up helps get my mind in interview mode too. Paying attention to logistics factors sets you up to truly shine when it’s showtime.

6. Relax and Be Yourself

As the big call time approaches, take a few deep breaths, stretch my shoulders, and remind myself that preparation equals confidence. Sure, this job could change my career path, but either way, you will learn from the process.

No need to overthink – you just need to converse as genuinely as possible. Staying loose and natural are keys to leaving a great impression.

Conclusion

Interviews in general pose unique communication challenges, so focusing on strategies like practicing responses, leveraging examples, and getting comfortable with your conversation style can overcome distanced interactions.

If you’re feeling nervous or unsure about your upcoming job interview, consider seeking the help of an interview coach. They can provide you with personalized guidance and strategies to help you ace your interview and land your dream job.