Five Steps to Qualify for a Job Interview

There is no doubt that interviewing for a job is a stressful experience. It can feel like you are being judged, and, in a way, you are. Remember that your interviewer is a person too. Most hiring managers are looking for a qualified employee who can be trusted to do the job well. Stand strong behind your qualifications, and present yourself in a confident and trustworthy manner. There are some basics of interviewing that will help you build that trust in an interview.

1. Proofread Your Resume

   There is no excuse for spelling errors or grammatical mistakes in your resume. Take the time to thoroughly proofread it before sending it to prospective employers. Careless mistakes on a resume reflect poorly on your attention to detail and cast doubt on your work quality. Go beyond spellcheck and grammar check on your word processor. Take the time to read your resume out loud. Have another person review it; they are more likely to catch mistakes you have looked over. Take advantage of tools like grammarly.com, and start out on the right foot.

2. Research the Company

   Do your research. There is a lot to be said for a candidate that cares enough to know the company he or she is interviewing for. Scan over the LinkedIn profiles of your interviews. This simple step goes a long way to build trust. Educating yourself on an organization also gives you the confidence to answer questions in a way that relates back to the company and its goals and objectives.

3. Be Humbly Confident

   You are there to show off your expertise, but do it in a gregarious and professional fashion. Assuming you know more than your interviewer and bashing them over the head with your knowledge will get you nowhere. Focus on using “we” language instead of “me” language. Tell about your group projects and collaborating with team members. Give credit where credit is due.

4. Be Honest and Transparent

   Be honest about your skills. Do not be able to shine a little light on your weaknesses as well as your strengths. A certain level of vulnerability comes across as genuine and authentic. But don’t be afraid to explain how the awareness of weaknesses has actually strengthened you.

5. Send a Thank You Note

   Thank you notes are not a thing of the past. Follow-up quickly with an electronic note. It doesn’t hurt to send a handwritten note soon after as well. This solidifies you in your interviewer’s mind and shows you truly care. This gesture goes a long way in this fast paced world.

These trust-boosting behaviors will leave your prospective employer confident in your abilities. Enter your next interview with your head held high because you have followed these simple tips.