Tips for a memorable job interview

Ajob interview is a time full of promise. This is your chance to shine. How can you make sure your memorable job interview is memorable for all the right reasons?

Preparation

Proper preparation can remove some of the apprehension associated with a job interview.

Research

How was the company founded? What is its mission statement? What part of the company vision do you think you can impact? This knowledge will not only present you as someone genuinely in-tune with the company and its values but also as someone committed to its future success.

Questions

Show genuine interest. The interviewer doesn’t necessarily hold all the cards. This is your opportunity to interview the company as well. While it’s essential to do this with humility and respect, it also shows you don’t take the position lightly. Take the time to carefully consider these questions ahead of time. Research the most often asked interview questions and enlist a friend to role-play the interview. Be careful not to practice so much that your responses become mechanical.

Body Language

Your body language can often say more than your words. Keep these body language tips in mind.

Eye contact

But not all the time. Keeping your eyes on your interviewer’s face and moving periodically to the eyes keeps you from looking like a statue.

Sit straight

Sit back in your chair with your feet flat on the ground. There is science behind firmly planted feet and your brain’s ability to multitask between creativity and complex rational thought. Keeping good posture, leaning in indicates interest and involvement in the conversation.

Hand gestures

Using simple hand gestures is preferred to sitting on your hands or fumbling with what to do with them. Just make sure they don’t get so busy that they become distracting.

Communication

You can do all the preparation possible and have the best body language, but you still must represent yourself with words. Speaking clearly with natural volume and enunciation will ensure your words are heard. However, storytelling will ensure you are listened to. The components of a story are who, what, when, where, how, and why.

Instead of vague responses to how you would handle a particular situation, use real-life examples of how you have done it, but more importantly, why. The “why” should always be at the heart of the story. This is the time to set yourself apart by telling your story and promoting you.

With proper preparation, attention to body language, and great storytelling, you can approach your next interview confident that it will be a memorable one.

Photo by iStock Keep your job interview memorable and follow these tips.