There are a couple of big interviews coming up. Are you excited? You should be because you’re going to do an incredible job! But to perform well, you must do your best to prepare in advance. Don’t sweat it, though, because if you get ready for your interview, you’ll for sure succeed!

Besides the tips I’ll list below, here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:

• Get your outfit ready in advance.
• Decide how you’re going to style your hair.
• Study your resume and know how to explain past positions.
• Practice proper interviewing etiquette (I touch on this on #2).
• Ask plenty of questions.

Now, keep reading to learn five more tips and techniques to apply before your interviews take place!

1. Study the Job Posting

Do you know everything there is to know about the job? You won’t fully know every detail, but the job posting will give you a good starting point. Keeping the details they outlined in mind is vital.

Your interviewer will expect you to know about the position based on the job listing. So make sure you understand what qualifications they’re after in their candidates. Being able to highlight how your skills match the listing is a good selling point.

2. Practice Meeting Your Interviewer

Start the interview off well by greeting your interviewer with a friendly smile. Typically, you could shake hands, but in today’s world, it’s all about the smile. (Unless you’re wearing a mask, and in that case, be ultra-friendly using the tone of your voice!)

Creating positive energy right off the bat will set your interview up for success. Your interviewer will know you’re taking it seriously and will be impressed by your efforts.

3. Be on Time

Having all the details ironed out before the interview is imperative. You don’t want to show up late or not know where you’re going on the day of the interview. If you’re driving somewhere, become familiar with the location and where you’ll be parking. Drive there ahead of time if need be.

If your interview is online, make sure you have a link to the company’s meeting ahead of time. If you don’t, get in touch with the person who said they’d like to interview you. Staying on top of things will allow you to be one step ahead of other candidates.

4. Rehearse Various Answers to Interview Questions

During your interview, your hiring manager will ask a series of questions. The thought of not answering some correctly may be nerve-racking. That’s why preparing ahead of time will save you big time.

Below are a few questions that they may ask you:

• Why you want to work for our company?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What are your biggest weaknesses?
• Explain a time you made a mistake and how you handled it.
• Why did you apply for this job?
• What are you most passionate about?

Have an idea of how to respond to some of the most popular interviewing questions. Knowing what you’ll say will ensure you don’t get caught off guard. You can’t prepare for every interview question out there, so prepare for what you feel you may get asked.

No matter the answer, your confidence alone will help you shine.

5. Look Over the Contract Thoroughly

Suppose you do get hired for the job, congratulations! Your hard work has paid off. Even though you’re excited, don’t sign the contract just yet. You must understand what you’re signing. Make sure the salary is what you agreed upon and that the other benefits are outlined.

It’s a good idea to have someone read over the contract, such as a contract lawyer. Hiring a contract lawyer is in your best interest. They’ll be able to read over everything and clear up any questions you might have. Based on what they find, they’ll let you know if there’s anything you should point out to your soon-to-be employer.

Conclusion

Looking for a new job is an exciting time. But don’t let your nerves get the best of you. If at any point you start to feel nervous, take a deep breath. You did your best to prime yourself, so believe you’ll do well!

After the interview, if you feel like you messed up, it’s not the end of the world. The interviewer may not have even noticed. Or, they’re choosing to focus on the highlights of the interview instead. If you don’t get the job, pick yourself up again and try harder next time.

Trust in your instincts and perform well during current and interviews to come! Before you know it, you’ll score a job you worked hard to get.