How To Ace Your Job Interview

     Your first job interview is no doubt a stressful situation. There are so many unexpected things that could be asked during an interview. So, whether you are about to interview for the first time or just need some help to enhance your professionalism, this article is the perfect guide to ace a job interview.

Here are a few questions you may be asked:

What are your biggest strengths?

When asked this, find a way to tie in a real life situation to whatever you are claiming is a strength of yours. For example, describing yourself as a “collaborative” person and going on to explain a successful group project you have been a part of. Saying you have a certain strength is one thing, but actually verifying you do with personal experiences shows you are the person you describe yourself to be.

Why do you want to work here?

That’s a great question, isn’t it? Why do you want to work there? Whether it be for genuine passion or making money, make sure to say you want to work there because you think you would contribute in a specific way. What you would add to the work team depends on the job, but the structure of the answer is relatively the same. If you do actually have a passion for the job you are applying for, mentioning that as well will help you stand out amongst other applicants.

Do you have any questions for me?

The dreaded question, how do you respond? To begin, make sure that whatever you do, you don’t say that you don't have any questions. While some jobs may not mind, saying you have no questions shows no interest in learning more about the company or work environment. Even though you are bound to ask questions later on, you may not know what to say at this moment. Some great questions to ask in case of this are, “What does a typical day working here look like?” or “If hired, how can I be successful in my role?”. These questions show curiosity and determination being implemented before you have even landed the job.

What can you tell me about yourself?

This question may feel uncomfortable because you feel like you should be talking about the job and not yourself. But, this is a perfect chance to show the interviewer what kind of a person you are and what commitments you have. If you talk about an extracurricular you have been involved in for a couple years, it will show dedication to your craft, which can easily transfer over to whatever job you are applying to. So, when asked this question, make sure to include anything that shows commitment (participation in clubs, instruments, sports team, etc.).

     To conclude, interviewing for jobs can be tough, it’s unmarked territory and you might feel nervous to even step in the establishment. The best thing to do is remind yourself, “I have done more difficult things than a job interview.” Think about it, this is just one little moment in your life, you’ve had to deal with more stressful situations. So take a deep breath, walk with confidence, and ace that interview!