5 Tips for Interviewing That Will Get You Hired This Year

Applying for a job can be a long, difficult process depending on the company. But no matter what company you are applying for, the interview process is undoubtedly the most important in the hiring process. It defines whether you as a job seeker will advance in your journey to a new role. Since interviewing is such a pivotal moment, it’s crucial to understand how to navigate interviews in the current job market.

Here are 5 tips for interviewing that will help job seekers nail interviews this year. 

5 Tips for Interviewing in Today’s Job Market

The hiring process has evolved to include more technology, however, knowing your basics is just as important as ever. Let’s examine some practical interviewing tips that will set you up for success.   

Interviewing Tip 1: Be professional 

The first tip for interviewing in the current job market is to be professional. Basic, yes. But critical to your success. Even in a bias-free hiring process, first impressions matter. Demonstrating professionalism helps you convey your value to the interviewer, as well as work ethic, competence, and reliability.

To effectively showcase professionalism during interviews, it’s important to:

• Dress appropriately for the interview. If there is a workplace dress code, do your best to follow it.
• Prioritize punctuality by showing up at the interview location on time or logging in early if it’s a virtual interview. Give yourself enough time to work through any delays or issues so you won’t arrive late.
• If you’re interviewing virtually, ensure that the environment is well-lit and free of distractions so your interviewer can see you and you can pay full attention to their questions.
• Use respectful language.        

Interviewing Tip 2: Thoroughly research the company and industry

To adequately prepare for job interviews today, it’s important to go beyond knowing the job description. Research the company and its industry to better tailor your answers to the interviewer’s questions. This level of additional research reveals a genuine interest in the organization and positions you as the perfect candidate for the role.

Find out about the company’s origins, milestones, mission statement, and core values. It’s helpful to learn about their current offerings in terms of products and services, the state of the industry, and the company’s major competitors. 

Customize your responses to the interviewer’s questions with these relevant details to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the business.      

Interviewing Tip 3: Communicate effectively

Communicating effectively is another tip for interviewing that will set you up to succeed. Communication encompasses how you speak, your body language, as well as how you listen to the other party. Interviewers pay attention to your ability to express your thoughts clearly and adapt to the communication style. 

Share your thoughts using clear and simple language to nail communication during interviews. Ensure that your answers are concise and tailored to address the questions. It’s important to listen actively too. Don’t interrupt your interviewer.

You can also communicate your engagement in the interview and genuine interest in the role and the organization by:

• Rephrasing the interviewer’s questions to be sure you understand them before providing an answer. 
• Asking the interviewer questions about the organization, its culture, and its processes.      

If you need accommodation to communicate effectively with your interviewer, and feel comfortable letting them know, share that information before or at the start of the interview to set you up for success. 

Interviewing Tip 4: Gear up for the use of technology

Recent research shows that up to 86% of employers use job interviews mediated by technology. Technology in the interview process is an unstoppable trend, so your success may depend on your ability to use it.

Research the virtual platform the company shares that they will be using for the interview. If they do not share it openly, you can ask the recruiter. Then test run the platform and other technical components such as your computer, camera, microphone, and internet connection to ensure a glitch-free interview.

Interviewing Tip 5: Prepare for different kinds of questions

Interviewers are eager to gain a holistic understanding of job seekers’ competencies, experiences, and suitability for the relevant role. So, they ask different kinds of questions that probe into your past experiences and problem-solving skills or gauge how you would approach hypothetical scenarios.

This makes it imperative for job seekers to prepare for different kinds of questions such as situational questions, behavioral questions, unconventional questions, and more. Mock interviews, researching common questions that explore hypothetical scenarios relating to the job, and practicing structuring your answers can help you feel comfortable answering any question asked.

Acing an interview doesn’t have to be a struggle. By implementing these tips for interviewing, you’ll effectively demonstrate your skills and fit for the role, helping you land your next position.

Explore the best times of year to apply for a new job with our research on the hottest times of the year for hiring.