Ah, the time has come to find a job. Maybe it’s your first job out of high school, maybe you’re a stay at home mom re-entering the workforce, or perhaps you are just looking for a new company or change of field. Whatever the reason, the last thing you want is to make the leap unprepared. 

Here are some simple tips to help you land and nail your next interview:

The first thing you want to do is research the company. Chances are you will be asked what interested you in that position, and  if you are able to name something positive about the company, it shows that you are someone who puts in the extra effort and wants to be prepared. 

Some other questions you’re likely to be asked are about your strengths and weaknesses, your experience, and how those relate to the job. If you are a student, you may be wondering how to answer these if this is your first job. Well, think about your experiences in school, were you on a sports team, in a club, or did you get particularly good grades? If you were, chances are you learned an awful lot about teamwork, collaboration, and diligence. Moms, if you are re-entering after being home with the kiddos for some time, be sure to highlight your past experience, and talk about how being at home with your children has given you time to even further strengthen your patience,communication, and ability to multitask!

Along those same lines of positivity, let’s talk about your weaknesses. This is not the time to stick your foot in your mouth with an answer like “I don’t have any,” or “I’m not always on time,” Instead you want to think of something you have struggled with AND follow that up with your solution. This shows that you can both acknowledge your weakness and troubleshoot it to improve your performance.

Great job, you nailed the interview and you walk out feeling amazing! You’re all done now, right? Nope, not just yet. Remember, you are not the only one who interviewed for that job, so it’s important that you stand out. This is where a follow up e-mail comes into play, so you’ll want to be sure to grab a business card of the person who interviewed you before you leave, and send the follow-up within 24 hours. This is where you show them you paid attention in the interview and recap the reasons why you’d be great for the job. You’ll also want to be sure to thank them for their time.

Now I want to talk to those leaving their present employer; you have a separate challenge when the employer asks why you are making this change. You may be tempted to talk about all the things that are wrong with your current job. DON’T!! Instead, let them know that you want to take on a new challenge, or that you like the work their company does, just be sure to keep it positive!

Finally, the last thing you want to do is shoot yourself in the foot by making silly mistakes. Be sure to dress appropriately, bring a copy of your resume, and leave plenty of time to arrive on time for your interview. You want to walk in calm and confident, not run in in a panic because you had to circle the block five times for a spot.

Now go nail that interview!!

Author Jennifer Borzumato.  Jennifer has a BA in Social Science from Adelphi University, and over a decade of experience including call center management, training, customer service and sales. Now enjoying her time as a stay at home mother of 3.