Five Tips to Not Bomb Your Interview

Career Start Professionals Give you the Inside Scoop

As a company who interviews on a daily basis, we’re sharing tips to prepare you for your next interview. 

1. Save the stories for friends

Or simply put, don’t lie! We all know our personal information is out there, whether we want it to be or not. Tax payments, driving records – all kinds of stuff. Making a false claim can mean losing that dream job. Most employers will double-check the information you provided by using Google and LinkedIn along with your references. And, don’t forget – make eye contact when speaking. 

2. Trashing current employers is a no-no  

Negative talk can be a turnoff. Big time! Answer questions honestly but don’t talk negatively about anyone. Potential employers want a team player. Talking negatively signals to them you may not be. 

Focus on the positive. Even if you’re at your wits end with your current job or coworkers, find something positive to say. 

3. Airplane mode before take off

Everyone knows silencing your phone before your interview is a good practice, but putting it on airplane mode assures that there won’t be a buzz, ding or bing to distract you. And besides, your focus should be completely on the interview not how many likes your post got. 

4. Wait to ask the nitty-gritty questions

Vacation time, pay increases, holidays off, background checks, drug testing – these are all things you shouldn’t ask until the job offer is made. Asking about drug testing, for instance, can make someone look guilty, raising red flags. 

Research the company, study the job description, and read up on common interview questions beforehand. Focus your questions on the company, it’s culture and the requirements of the position. Remember the interview is a two way street. They want to make sure you are a good fit and you want to make sure the company is a good fit for you. 

5. Thank you, thank you, thank you!  

To stand out above other job seekers, send a thank you email no more than 24 hours after the interview. If the interview was with more than one person, be sure to thank each one personally (be sure to get their contact information during the interview).

In the email:

• Let the interviewer know you appreciated meeting them
• mention something specific that was discussed in the interview
• Tell why you are excited about the position
• Tell why you’d be a good fit
• Ask about next steps
• Give your contact information

Let Career Start help you find a job that fits your schedule. View your options today and you could be working tomorrow!