How to Leave a Good Impression in an Interview: Interview tips and tricks

Getting through a job interview isn’t a walk in the park for everyone, but making a strong impression boosts your odds of landing the job. An interview goes beyond just testing your technical know-how and skills; it also looks at many unsaid things about who you are, how you think, and your overall attitude.

Working with a strategic plan can help you get your dream job. Everything plays a part like having a healthy knowledge about the company, keeping some smart questions ready, dressing right, and showing up on time, etc. In this blog, we’ll explore key interview tips and tricks and share some strategies to help you create a lasting good impression on the interviewer and make yourself stand out from other candidates.

Preparation Before the Interview

Research the Company

For a lasting impression, start your interview preparation well in advance. Begin with researching the company, and get an idea of its culture, mission, values, and products. Stay updated with recent news and get to know their projects and where they stand in the industry. You will be surprised to know that Interviewees with no knowledge of the company get rejected by 47% of recruiters. Having this extensive knowledge will help you shape your answers about why you want to work there and show your interest in joining the company.

Review Common Interview Questions

Buckle up for common interview questions by practicing your responses. Be ready with spot-on answers to common behavioral questions such as “Tell me about yourself”, “Why do you want to work here?”, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”. Through well-prepared responses to these questions, you will overcome nervousness and be able to highlight your strengths. Be sure to check out some behavioral interview questions too.

Prepare Your Own Questions

Put some thought and time into preparing your own set of questions, having thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewer demonstrates your enthusiasm and genuine interest in the role. For example, you can ask about your team or what are the immediate priorities of the role you are being hired for. 77% of employers state that they are impressed when a candidate asks insightful questions during an interview. Here is a great article to know what questions you can ask to your hiring manager during the interview (link).

Plan Your Journey

No matter how good you are and how genuine your intentions are, arriving late for the interview never helps. To not fall into this, ensure that you are aware of the interview location and plan your route in advance. Consider unexpected buffer times and aim to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early at the venue. In case of a virtual interview, test the robustness of your internet connectivity and the device’s smooth functionality.

First Impressions Count

Dress Appropriately

‘The first impression is the last impression’ is a saying that falls very true when it comes to interview attire. Your dress for an interview shows your personality and it should resemble the company culture. When in doubt, it is always better to be a bit overdressed rather than being underdressed. As per TeamStage, 71% of all companies will reject an applicant if they aren’t dressed appropriately. Your dressing sense shows your seriousness about the job opportunity and interview.

Arrive Early

Always aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early at the interview venue. Punctuality is crucial and is considered one of the important interview etiquette, it not only shows your commitment to the interview and time management skills but also allows you a moment to relax and revise.

Greet Everyone Warmly

Once you reach the location, be nice to everyone. From the receptionist to the hiring manager, greet everyone you meet with a friendly smile and a firm handshake. Your politeness and respectfulness will set a positive tone for the interview.

During the Interview

Display Confidence

During the interview, your show of confidence reflects your preparedness. As you enter the room, do the interview handshake. Maintain a good posture, ensure eye contact while you answer the question or listen to the question, and speak clearly. Trust your abilities and skills, and show that you are a man of skill, credibility, and integrity through your confidence and body language. Be careful of any non-verbal cues such as shaking your legs or crossing your elbows. Maintain composure throughout the interview process.

Show Enthusiasm

Your energy levels and enthusiasm can be a deciding factor in the interview. Don’t forget to show your enthusiasm about the role and joining the company. Genuine enthusiasm is contagious and shows that you are passionate about the opportunity.

Be Articulate and Concise

Be clear and concise while answering the interviewer’s questions. Avoid rambling and stuttering (as much as you can), and stay focused on the main points that you want to pass on. To ace this, you can practice answering the questions succinctly before the interview.

Highlight Relevant Skills and Experiences

Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job by tailoring your responses as per the question and situation. Adding real-life examples adds charm to your responses. Use them healthily but do not overstuff until asked upon for more. Use specific examples to show your accomplishments and how they align with the job role.

Build Rapport

Building rapport with the interviewer can help make the conversation easy for you to handle. The conversation becomes more comfortable and memorable for both of you. Finding common ground through experiences and perspectives to build trust.

Listen Actively

Do not jump readily to answer the question, active listening plays a vital role during the interview. Listen to the question actively and respond thoughtfully. This shows respect on your part and ensures you are addressing the interviewer’s concern mindfully. Use gestures like nodding as you listen and summarize the points in your responses.

Closing the Interview

Ask About the Next Steps

As the interview comes to the concluding phase, be sure to inquire about the next steps in the hiring process and the expected timeline to hear back. As per Glassdoor, The average length of the hiring process in the U.S. is about 23.8 days. Asking this reflects your eagerness to move forward and excitement for the role.

Express Gratitude

Do not forget to thank the interviewer for their time and opportunity to interview. A serious expression of gratitude leaves a positive impression on the interviewer. This shows your humility too which is again a personality trait everyone likes.

Reiterate Your Interest

If time permits, reaffirm your interest in the job and company again. This showcases your enthusiasm and reminds them that you’re a great fit for the position.

Read More: How to End an Interview

Post-Interview Follow-Up

Send a Thank-You Note

As soon as the interview ends, write a thank-you note to the interviewer either by message or email. Try to highlight specific things from your conversation that caught your interest and share that you are excited about the role. A well-written thank-you note can make all the difference for you in getting hired. As per survey findings, only 24% of job seekers send a thank-you note after an interview, but 42% of hiring managers find it helpful in finalizing the candidate.

Reflect and Improve

After the interview, take some time to reflect upon the interview. Figure out what you did well and where you can do better. This thoughtful inspection can help you identify your key weak points and prepare better for future interviews.

Connect on LinkedIn

If appropriate, try to stay in touch with the interviewer on LinkedIn. This helps you to follow up after the interview, keep a professional connection, and make a mark in the interviewer’s mind for future job openings.

Conclusion

Making a strong impression during an interview is all about your preparedness and timed delivery of responses. Interviews are a long process. On average, a typical in-person interview lasts about 45 minutes, as per Enhancv. For some, they can be nerve-racking too. For interview success, start by preparing well in advance, showing confidence, building rapport, dressing appropriately, asking the right questions, showing real enthusiasm, and gratitude, and giving your best. If you put interview tips and tricks into practice, you will be able to present your best self and boost your odds of getting your dream job. Remember the best interview strategy is to give your best by being genuine, knowledgeable, and confident and yourself. Wishing you all the best.