How to impress a potential employer in an interview

How can you impress a potential employer in an interview?  If you are asked to come for an interview, you need to be ready to impress. You only really get one shot to give a good first impression. Prepare ahead of time to impress your potential employer. Keep these tips in mind:

• Dress for success – The way you dress says a lot about you. Dress professionally and appropriately for the job. Try to find out ahead of time the general attire worn at the company through observation, or by asking someone in the company. You don’t need to wear expensive clothing. Focus on clean, professional attire, go easy on your make up and jewelry, and be sure to polish your shoes.

• Greet the interviewer/s – Not only is the way you dress important, but the way you greet the interviewer/s is vital. You want to show a certain level of confidence. Enter the room with good posture, and shake the interviewers hand firmly, introducing yourself. Smile and make eye contact. That first impression of your confidence, when combined with your appearance, can make a big difference. It helps, too, to be ready with your ‘Sell yourself pitch’. You may not be asked for one, but if the interviewer leads with, “Tell me why I should hire you,” you can get ahead if you are well prepared.

• Know your job role and research the company – Review the job description before you go to the interview. You want to make sure that you are the ideal candidate based on the job description. If you tailored your CV, you should tailor your knowledge of the position. Focus on the main points that demonstrate your ability to perform well in the position. Take time to understand the company and its position in its industry. Find out the issues the company faces, as well as the company’s recent successes and good news. Learn about some of the challenges facing the industry, and consider what you think are solutions to the problems. Overall be prepared to talk about the company with knowledge. With some planning and preparation, you can make a good impression and increase the chances of getting the job.

• Send a thank you note – You could send a thank you note when the interview is over or to your recruiter, if the interview was planned and organised by a recruitment agency. You want to reinforce your interest in the job, and remind the interviewer of who you are.

These are just some ways you can impress your employer at an interview. CV&Coffee offers an interview preparation service to prepare you on how to answer questions at an interview effectively, and how to increase your chances of being hired by learning ‘how to pitch yourself’ and more.

To find out how we can help you be successful at an interview click here or contact us.