Adding Pizazz To Your Interview

The job interview is the most anxiety-inducing part of the job search, which is why it's incredibly frustrating to spend so much time, energy and effort on making a great impression without getting the position as your reward. If you find this happening to you over and over, you may need to sharpen your interview skills. Make sure the following techniques are part of your strategy.

Use Your Resume

If you've created a great resume, you've already won half the battle. A carefully constructed, detailed resume makes a useful reference point during the job interview. Carefully pull a few talking points from it to help support and validate the things you say about yourself. For instance, if you plan to discuss your excellent sales record, be prepared to back it up with hard numbers from your resume. Be careful not to fall into the trap of reciting everything on it, however. Remember, the interviewer has already seen it. The interview is your chance to elaborate on the important facts, and present yourself in a way that both makes sense and makes you shine.

Discuss Your Accomplishments

The job interview is not the time for modesty. Be prepared to discuss your relevant accomplishments. These could include any awards or recognition you've received, projects you've worked on, or simply ways in which you've excelled at something. Give compelling examples to support your claims.

Know the Company

The job interview is not only about selling yourself, it's also about convincing the company that they need you. How can you meet the company's needs? To answer this question, some pre-interview research is necessary. Visit the company's website, LinkedIn page, and social media profiles. Read any recent press releases or articles about the company. Familiarize yourself with the company's competition, position in the market, short-term and long-term goals, and overall philosophy. How do your past experience and accomplishments fit into their corporate culture? Think about how you could benefit the company, and prepare to discuss this at length to make a great impression.

Be Yourself

There is no law prohibiting self-expression in job interviews. Many candidates on a job search make the mistake of trying so hard to appear professional and competent that they end up coming across as cold and stiff. Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through. Give a firm, confident handshake. Lean forward and make eye contact while speaking. Feel free to smile. The interviewer is human, just like you. He's already seen your resume and knows you're qualified, so show him you're likable as well.

Don't think of the job interview as a rehearsed performance, but more as a conversation that allows you to showcase your talents and experience. Prepare a few talking points and answers to common questions ahead of time, and allow your enthusiasm and interest to take you the rest of the way. Do what you can to stand out against the other applicants to turn your next job interview into an actual offer.

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