10 Best Tips to Ace Your Interview

1. Get to know your interviewer

Getting into the mind of your interviewer before the meeting will give you a huge advantage. Find out where they live, their routes to work, what stores they shop at, where their kids go to school, etc. These are good talking points during your interview and will distinguish you from the rest of the applicants.

2. Dress up

Since first impressions are critical, the best strategy is to dress like current employees of the company. Wear the exact same outfit as the person interviewing you to show them you have the right look for the job. Imitation is the highest form of flattery after all.

3. Arrive early

See 9 Easy Hacks to Get to Work on Time for great tips on being punctual to the meeting.

 4. Firm handshake

The stronger your grip, the more confident you will appear. Start by doing 30 reps x 5 sets of dumbbell wrists curls with your max weight at the gym, twice a day for 3 months. Your massive forearms will not only impress your interviewer, but leave an imprint on their hands they’ll never forget.

5. Smile and maintain eye contact

Studies show the following type of smile is the most effective in an interview:

• Open your mouth until there are about 1.5-2 inches between your top and bottom teeth
• Contract your facial cheek muscles so that it exposes your upper teeth
• Tilt your head down 30 degrees below horizontal
• Stare directly at the person

Use this smile throughout the interview to increase your likability and build rapport with the other person.

6. Stay relaxed

Your mindset should be to walk in like you own the place. Park in the boss’s reserved spot and put your feet up on the desk. Ask Jennifer when your 2’o-clock meeting is, follow up with Robert on the report he promised you yesterday. Freak out when you forgot to pick up the cupcakes for Gloria’s birthday, but realize you can send out the intern to get it. Also, don’t forget you have a tax payment due to the IRS by the end of the week.

 7. Ask questions

Children are masterful question askers, hence why they always get what they want. When you ask a question, always follow up the question with “Why?” You’ll eventually come to a point where the interviewer cannot answer. This will simultaneously impress them and give you a boost of confidence knowing you’ve outsmarted them.

8. Ask for feedback

Most people avoid feedback because they take it personally rather than as an opportunity to grow. Show your interviewer you care by giving her constructive criticism. Remember the feedback sandwich technique: sandwich the critique between two compliments. Make her feel good about herself by telling her she did great and the next will be even better.

9. Thank the interviewer

Displaying gratitude is important to an employer. The best way to display your gratitude is to work for free. People undervalue work experience and overvalue a real paycheck. Paying off student loans aren’t as important as doing fulfilling work at an unpaid internship.

10. Follow up!

Follow up is essential to keeping your application at the top of their mind. Traditional methods of emails and handwritten cards won’t get through to busy hiring managers. Instead, send your follow-ups via carrier pigeons, computer malware, and singing telegrams with grown men in clown outfits every night to their homes. Creativity and persistence is the key to landing your dream job.