7 Actionable Tips For Job Interviews That Guarantees Success

To listen to the blog post “7 Tips For Job Interviews With Guaranteed Success” over reading it just click the play button below. 

Knowing how to make a good impression in an interview can be the difference between getting a job and not getting a job.  This is why this post is going to reveal to you 7 tips for job interviews so that you will know without a shadow of a doubt that you are in the running for getting this job.

• Are you the type of person that gets into an interview and freezes up?

• Are you not sure what you are supposed to be doing in an interview?

• Are you the person that goes on interviews time and time again but never gets the job?

• Or is this your first interview and you do not know what to expect?

Well, you are in luck. Because sure enough, I am going to help you how and tell you how to do a good interview.  Also, check out my video below for more tips for job interviews, and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel by clicking here.

1. Tips For Job Interviews Check the Job Listing

Making a good impression during an interview starts BEFORE you get into the interview.  For myself, whenever I am actively looking for a job I am applying for multiple jobs. When people finally call me for an interview I can barely remember the details of the listing.

That is why you should keep a spreadsheet of all the jobs you applied for and when an agency calls you for an interview, it can be easier for you to go back to the internet and research the position.  Referring back to the job listing will allow you to get a fresh perspective on what the job is, what you will be doing, what job skills they are looking for, and what qualifications they prefer.

For example, if the job you applied for prefers your type of 70 wpm, and you know you type at 60 wpm, It would be a good time to re-familiarize yourself with typing and brush up on your typing skills so that way if it comes up during your interview then you are knowledgeable and not stuck looking like boo boo the fool who can’t type.

Please Note: You never want to lie and say you have a skill when you don’t. Brushing up is one thing. Learning to go from typing 10 wpm to 70 wpm is probably not going to happen.

Additionally, knowing the job listing will also give you a chance to highlight the skills that are relevant to the position. For example, if the position requires that you must work well with kids.  Then during the interview, it may be a good idea to bring up the fact that you have worked at daycare or that you have an early childhood certification AND you can bring the certification to the interview.  This will show that you are well prepared and know important details of the position.

2. Tips For Job Interviews ~ Research The Company 

In an interview 9 times out of 10 the interviewer is going to ask you:

Tips For Job Interviews ~ What do you know about our company?

The last thing that you want to say is I don’t know,” or just stand there with a blank look on your face. This is a sure way not to get the position. I once got a job based on answering this question alone. I know when the company had started and why it started.  They told me in the interview that NO ONE else was able to answer that question.

So what you want to do is research the organization. Some of the main things that you want to look for in your research are the organization’s mission statement, what do they do, who do they serve, and how long they have been around.  You also want to know, who is the CEO or who is the supervisor of the position you are interviewing for.  Does the company offer medical insurance, life insurance, or a 401K?  Some great resources can be utilized in LinkedIn.

You also want to research what past employees have said about the agency that you are interviewing for. Some great resources for these are Indeed and Glassdoor.  Many past/ current employee post their experiences with the agency on these sites and give them a rating.  It would not detour me if there was one bad rating out of 15 ratings.  But if there are 10 bad ratings out of 15 ratings, then I would be concerned.  Pay attention to what past employees are saying so that you can determine if it is something that you can deal with or not.

If they say that the company makes a habit of not paying employees on time, then you need to determine if that agency is the right fit for you. Also, pay attention to the date of the reviews.  A review from 5 years ago may not be as relevant as a review from 3 months ago.  And if there is anything about the company that seems sketchy to you, ask questions about it during the interview. In a respectful tone of course.  Like if in the reviews you notice a lot of people saying that they quit after 3 weeks of working there.  Then ask in the interview “What is the turnover rate like in this position?”

3. Tips For Job Interviews ~ Research The Salary

Often times many government agencies post a salary range telling you how much they are willing to pay. This will give you an idea of what to expect. For example, if an agency says they are going to pay you between $30,000 and $40,000 then expect to get somewhere in the middle.

It is very rare that an agency will pay you their maximum for a job position.  But there are other jobs that have a salary range like $30,000 to $65,000.  That is a big range and may vary depending on your experience. Meaning that if you are fresh out of college or high school and have minimal to no experience, expect to be paid near the $30,000 range.  If you have massive amounts of experience then expect to get between $50,000 and $60,000.

There are some positions that do not post the salary at all. Once again a good resource for this is Glass Door.  Search the agency you are interviewing for, the position, AND the geographic location you are interviewing in; to get an accurate salary amount.

People who live in Tim buck too nowhere USA is not going to get paid the same as someone living in Los Angeles even if it is the same company.  Because the cost of living is higher in LA.  Also when looking for a salary, make sure you look at how many years experience each person has so you can get an accurate understanding of what you want your salary requirement to be.

If by chance you cannot find your agency on Glass Door. Research a similar position on Glass Door in the same area but with a different agency and that will give you an idea of how much you should ask if you are offered the job or if they ask your salary requirements in an interview.  If the salary does not come up in an interview, don’t ask but reserve asking for when they offer you the position.  Typically done through HR.

4. Tips For Job Interviews ~ Be On Time

The last thing you want to do is be late for an interview. Make sure you GPS or look up the location beforehand.  Make sure you look up traffic reports for the time of your interview.  For example, in the DC area, it takes me 20 minutes to get to my job WITHOUT traffic.  With traffic, from 6 am-11 am, it took me almost two hours to get to work.

Checking your local traffic reports will help you determine traffic flow to ensure that you make it on time for your interview. Also, check out parking.  At my past job, we have a parking deck you have to pay for.  During my interview, I paid a meter.  You want to make sure you have to change or a card if paid parking is required.

5. Tips For Job Interviews ~ Have An Elevator Speech

When you step into an interview the way you actually present yourself means a lot you can be qualified for the job but if you are sitting there looking like you are depressed or going to be boring to work around then no one is going to want to hire you. That is why you should have a 15-second speech about yourself. Most interviewers ask you to tell them something about yourself.  They have your resume so there is no need to recite what is on it. They want to know about you, your life, and it needs to be something that draws them in.

Tips For Job Interviews ~ Example

• My name is Sophia. I am a mother of one, and I just recently moved to this area. I came from Richmond, VA, and lived there for a few years before deciding to relocate to a bigger city for better opportunities.

Tips For Job Interviews ~ An example of what NOT to say.

• Hi, my name is Sophia. I am a single mother and I moved here to live with my mom.  The reason why I had to do that is that my husband recently divorced me and he sold the home from under me, leaving me and my child homeless to fend for ourselves. I just need a job ANY job so I need this interview to work out! (None of that is true by the way).  But just to give an example of TOO much information.

The first example tells a little bit about yourself in a fun way. I have used this example and in the interview, they have asked about my son and even talk about how the company was made up of other parents and how I would fit right in. The second example sounds like you need a therapist, not a job.

6. Tips For Job Interviews ~ Remember To Ask questions

Not only does asking questions show that you are interested in the job, but it also gets you answers to questions about the job. Even if you have no questions you still want to think of SOMETHING to ask. Because not asking questions shows a lack of being interested in the job.  At the end of the day, you are interviewing your potential employer as much as they are interviewing you.  Some sample interview questions include:

• What are the hours going to be?

• Do I get paid time for holidays?

• Do I have to work holidays? If so what are they?

•  Do you offer medical insurance?

• How long do I have to work here before qualifying for medical insurance?

• Is there a second interview involved?

• When will I hear back from this interview?

• How many people are you looking to hire?

• Am I expected to work beyond 40 hours a week?

• What is the day-to-day like if I get hired for this position?

• Are there opportunities to move up in the company? 

7. Tips For Job Interviews ~ How to make an impression in an interview

When you walk into the room of the interview you never want to look nervous, insecure, and unsure of yourself. Don’t be too shifty in your chair, not having good eye contact, not smiling, or being monotone is always a bad impression that you will make.  Here are some general rules of how to make an impression in an interview.

• ALWAYS greet everyone AND shake everyone’s hand. Make sure you look them in the eye as you do it and smile. 

• Do not sit until you are invited to sit. If this is taking a long time, ask “Is it okay if I sit here?

• Maintain good eye contact, sit up, have good posture, and sit up in your chair.

• Always dress professionally (Click my blog here on how to dress for an interview). I do not care if you are interviewing for a cashier and 7-11 or for KFC dress up for your interview.

• Be prepared, always bring references, numbers of past employers, and names. Even though you may have sent them your resume.  Many places may ask you to fill out an application right then and there.  So you want to have the information.

• Always smile and be conversational.  You are trying to get a job not going to a funeral. Even if you are not the most qualified most people want people who are happy to work for them.

TRUE STORY. When I was in high school, I worked as a waitress at a buffet.  The general manager just so happens to be at the store on the day of my interview.  He told my boss within 5 minutes of me being there “hire her, she has a great smile. So there I was offered a job right on the spot within 5 minutes of being in the interview. Never underestimate a good attitude and a great smile.

These are the 7 keys to a successful interview and if you know someone who needs some interviewing tips them feel free to share this post with them.  And if you need help with what to wear to an interview, then consider getting my year-long capsule wardrobe ebook for FREE.  Complete with work and interview outfit ideas.  Just click here.