Some "dos" and "don'ts" for acing that interview.
Do
✔ Wear an outfit that makes you look professional. (At least from the waist up if you’re doing a video interview.)
✔ Study up on the company, their mission, and their values.
✔ Think of concrete examples of your success (that are RELEVANT to the job) and how it positively impacted the place you worked.
✔ When asked “what is your weakness?” (Which you inevitably will be) share an example of learning and growth. That way you can show that you’re self-aware and committed to improvement. (Ex. “It was hard for me to get the hang of HTML at first, but I took the time to practice in my free time and now I feel much more comfortable with it.”)
✔ Make sure you’re taking care of yourself before the interview. Food, exercise, sleep, and a favorite book/T.V. show will put you in a positive mental place to show your best self.
✔ Research the typical salary range for the role you’re applying for in the region where the job is located. You will sound more confident in your value when you can give a number that is based on concrete data, and interviewers want to see that.
✔ Send a thank you note within at most 24 hours after the interview. This will show that you genuinely care about the job and keep you on their minds!
Don't
X Wear an outfit that makes you uncomfortable. Even if it looks like it belongs in a boardroom, your discomfort will NOT help you be your best self.
X Come in knowing absolutely nothing about the company or the position you’re applying for. Your interviewer will sniff it out right away and you will look unprofessional and unprepared.
X Sell yourself short. This is the time to sell yourself and show that company what you’re worth.
X When asked “what is your weakness?” don’t humble-brag (Ex. “One of my weaknesses is that I can be too much of a perfectionist.”) After all, nobody is completely perfect and the interviewers know that.
X Pull an all-nighter the night before an interview. Whether it’s from preparing for the interview or going out to party, not being well rested will not put you in the mindset to put your best foot forward.
X Negotiate a salary right away. The interview is about your excitement for that particular role and what you can offer the company. There’s time to negotiate once you get the job.
X Constantly call and hound about updates. There’s a fine line between persistent and annoying and you don’t want to cross it. (However, it is perfectly acceptable to send a follow up email a few days after the interview to show you’re still interested.)
And above all
✔ Celebrate when you get that dream job! You deserve it.
X Get discouraged when you hear “no.” It’s hard, but there’s another great opportunity waiting for you around the corner.
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