Congrats – you’ve got an interview! That means:
- The employer feels you are one of the best candidates for the position
- On paper it already looks like you can do the job
Now it’s time to prove it.
There are lots of ways to put your best foot forward with employers, but these four steps are must-do’s for any job interview.
1. Dress professionally
Your interview clothes don’t have to be expensive to make a great impression. You can dress for an interview for under $20!
2. Arrive early
Be at least 10 minutes early to your job interview. If an unavoidable emergency does pop up or you get stuck in serious traffic, then call the interviewer to let them know you’re going to be late. Showing up late without a phone call is a guaranteed way to lose out on a job.
3. Turn your phone off
Getting random calls and texts while you’re talking with a hiring manger are mistakes that can ruin your interview. And if it does ring, don’t even think about answering your phone.
4. Ask thoughtful questions
If you’re well-qualified and present yourself professionally, nothing seals the deal like having a few great questions to ask during an interview; it shows the hiring manager you’ve really put thought into this job.
That’s the basics, but there’s plenty more where that came from – check out all our interview tips to make sure you put your best foot forward (and calm down the butterflies – don’t worry, we all get them!).
About Amy White
I recently went on a job interview and followed all four of those tips exactly as you described. However, in spite of my best efforts, I wasn’t offered the job because the employer felt “[I] wasn’t a good fit.” What does that mean and how do I avoid an employer dismissing me like that in future interviews?
Well it’s either you did something horribly wrong that you didn’t notice or the employer isnt the type that you should use those tips with. You should get an overall feel of the emploer beefore the interview to see what will work.
Not necessarily, it may just be that there was another better fit or better qualified candidate. Keep up the great work Maria! If you’re wondering whether your interview skills are holding you back, ask one of your friends to hold a mock interview with you – or you can practice answering interview questions int he mirror. It sounds silly, but it works!
Can you really dress for an interview for $20!?
Absolutely! Check out the article link to find out exactly how
Whenever I go for a job interview I always arrive early. I’d rather be too early over being too late. I also never have my cell phone on. I always dress to impress. These things don’t seem to help me. Every interview that I’ve had over the last few months have asked me different questions. Maybe that’s where I went wrong, I didn’t give them the answers they were looking for.
Hi Shelia, do you remember the questions that were asked? We might be able to help you with your interview skills so you can nail your next interview!
what i like to do is write my questions down on a index card as well as quetions i want to ask the interveiwer,
Is good to now all this information. Help very much to have a good interview.
Thanks David! Good luck with your interviews
I, also, have done everything that has been requested. The employer looks you in the face and tells you that you are a good candidate, but you never hear from them. This is after they have committed to do a call back. This has happened on several occasions. I have taken assessment tests with good results and still do not get the job. I’m getting on in years, but still not old enough to retire. I went on to a community and graduated in May 2011 to better my chances of being a workable candidate.
Hi Phyllis, great job going to community college – that was a smart move! Are you sending thank you notes after your interviews or otherwise following up with them?
You know it had been my experience as a interviewing manager that if I say don’t call us we will call you ….I mean it . Don’t call me every other day asking about the job .. even if anf and after I have told you I have hired someone .. it become a nuisance…
Absolutely, if a hiring manager or job post says not to follow up – don’t. Any advice on ways a job seeker can stand out without annoying their interviewer?
One question I was asked at an interview was ‘ Tell me about a time when you set a goal for yourself and how did you follow through on that goal?’
The answer I gave was even though it was hard I set the goal to graduate from college. I wasn’t the best student and it was difficult. I told myself to keep going and my family also encouraged me to go on.
I don’t know if that’s the answer they wanted, but it was the one I thought of.
That sounds great! Highlights your determination and higher education