Job Interview Advice You May Not Have Heard Before | FlexJobs

When it comes to acing a job interview and job interview advice, there’s a lot out there! And while you’ve probably heard most of it before, here are six pieces of job interview advice you may not have heard before that could help you land the job!

6 Pieces of Job Interview Advice You Might Not Have Heard

1. Research Your Interviewer

You know you should research the company before your interview. But beyond familiarizing yourself with its mission, culture, and recent happenings, it’s also wise to look into the people you’ll be interviewing with.

Chances are, you have their positions or names (or both)—meaning you’re equipped with what you need to do some digging on LinkedIn and other social media sites.

Why is this important? Getting to know the interviewers will not only make you more comfortable, but it will also make it easier for you to strike up small talk about anything you have in common—whether it’s a shared alma mater or the fact that you both own rescue dogs.

2. Assemble a Survival Kit

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking no matter how much you’ve prepared. And while you can prepare for curveball questions, you should also prepare for curveballs that happen outside the interview. Assemble a survival kit ahead of your interview, so you’re ready for almost any situation.

Exactly what you want to include will vary based on your unique circumstances, but here are some of the basics for an in-person interview:

• Pens and a notepad (for taking notes!)
• Water bottle and snacks
• Breath mints
• Deodorant
• Phone charger (or an external battery)

And for a virtual one:

• Privacy
• Solid internet connection
• Good lighting
• Paper copies of your resume (just in case!)

Have these things handy, and you can rest easy with the knowledge that you’re prepared for anything!

3. Sell Yourself

You know the interviewer will likely ask common questions, like “Tell me about yourself,” or “Where do you see yourself in five years?” And while part of your interview prep includes having an answer for these questions, make sure you do more than “just” answer the question.

For these questions—and most others that come your way—use the STAR method to ensure you don’t just answer the question; you answer the question that shows off your relevant skills.

While it may not work for every question, the STAR method gives you a chance to talk about a challenge you faced on the job and how you used your skills to solve it. This gives the interviewer insight into your skill set and how it will benefit them.

4. Remember Your Soft Skills

One trap many job seekers fall into is emphasizing their hard skills. These are the technical skills you possess (and likely need) to do the job. While they are important and relevant, don’t neglect to talk up your soft skills.

Employers look for soft skills in applicants because they aren’t as easy to teach as technical skills. Already possessing soft skills and talking about how you use them on the job will wow the employer. And if it comes down to you and one other person, there’s a good chance that your soft skills will give you the edge to land the job.

5. Watch Your Body Language

It’s easy to focus solely on the words you use to answer interview questions, but it’s crucial to remember that your nonverbal cues often say more than your words.

Of course, you don’t want to chew your nails or fidget in your seat. Sit up (and stand) straight, maintain appropriate eye contact, and smile throughout the interview. Not doing these things could signal to the interviewer that while you say you’re interested in the job, you’re really not!

While you’re at it, make sure you don’t cross your arms or gesture wildly. Not sure what to do with them? Rest your hands comfortably in your lap, one on top of the other.

6. Prepare Questions

Remember that the interview is a two-way street. As much as the employer is trying to decide if you’re a good fit for the role, you’re trying to decide if the company is a good fit for you! The only way to do that is to ask questions.

There will probably be a few minutes at the end of the interview set aside for your questions. While you can refer to your notes for anything that came up during the interview, having a few questions prepared gives you the chance to dive right in instead of fumbling for something from your notes. What’s more, not asking any questions could give the impression that you’re not interested in the job anymore.

Practice and Prep

These lesser-known pieces of job interview advice can help give you the confidence to ace your next job interview, whether it’s in person or online. But if you want to take your interview skills to the next level, consider scheduling a mock interview with a FlexJobs career coach!