Interview Tips To Help You Land the Job You Want

By: Shannon Leonard

If you were to run a Google search along the lines of “job interview tips” or “how to ace an interview,” you’d almost certainly turn up a lot of gibberish about what you should be wearing and how you should present yourself. For a black woman entering an interview, it might even be suggested to straighten hair as some would (sadly) still view this as a more “professional” look – though as we’ve discussed, being true to yourself is usually the more rewarding path, and can pay off in an interview as well.

Nevertheless, writing for The Guardian, one contributor theorised that a “fashion faux pas” could cost you a job! In fairness, the writer also acknowledged that the substance of the interview is the real key, but the point remains that a lot of the emphasis in these discussions tends to be on appearance.

This sort of advice is all worth paying attention to, as it’s important to make a good impression in any way possible. However, too often the actual substance that the article in The Guardian alluded to is largely ignored. Or, it’s brushed off with vague statements like “have some questions of your own ready” or “practice common interview questions in advance.”

The truth is, you can figure out your interview attire in a single day, but preparing for the conversation itself takes more effort and is more important. So here are some real tips that can help you to lock down the next job you aim for when you sit down for the interview.

Do your homework beyond the front page. 

It’s pretty common knowledge that when you’re heading into an interview you should know enough about the company you want to work for to answer any questions about it that may come up. But as a  Forbes article points out, to a lot of candidates this idea seems to extend only to the front page of a company’s website, or the most basic information about the company’s performance.

The article provides an example where a candidate might allude to the general rise in interest in wearable tech when asked about Google’s future (a weak answer) or mention that he or she was listening to Google’s quarterly earnings and noticed certain things regarding future projections (a strong answer).

I’m not as big a fan of casually dropping in the fact that you listened to quarterly earnings, because it’s sort of the interview equivalent of a rehearsed political stump speech. Don’t be afraid to simply say you’ve done your research, rather than make it sound like you listen to earnings report podcasts on your morning jog. But either way, a more substantive approach to the “homework” idea can work wonders for your preparedness.

It can also help to erase some of the natural disadvantage a black woman can otherwise be subjected to in an interview; unfortunately women and minorities still have a tougher time being hired, but by demonstrating thorough preparedness you can force employers to zero in on your capabilities.

Be able to articulate your goals. 

Far too often, preparation for a job interview stops at knowing the company and knowing your own background and qualifications. In other words, most candidates are looking backward and straight in front of them, but not forward. This is a mistake, as it’s also very important to be able to explain with clarity and enthusiasm why you want the job and what you hope to accomplish through it.

In her work helping graduate school applicants with their own interviews, the businesswoman in charge of Menlo Coaching works a great deal with this aspect of the process and indicates that a clear statement of personal ambition can go a long way.

The same holds true in a job interview, where you’re simply a more interesting candidate if you can demonstrate you’ve thought about what it means, long-term, to be hired. And don’t be afraid to make it personal! Saying you’re striving to help women or African Americans have a bigger role in whatever industry the job is part of, or that you want the job because of a particular personal passion isn’t inappropriate. Rather, it helps you to stand out and gives you some personality in the eyes of the employer.

Always, always follow up. Following up after a job interview is often recommended, but it’s time we all stop thinking of this as some sort of extra or optional concept. Following up is crucial, even if it just means sending a quick thank you note to the individual who interviewed you. This shows that you’re still thinking about the interview and that you care enough to maintain contact beyond the interview itself.

As another part of this tip, it’s also important to follow up again even if you find out you didn’t get the job. Thank the interviewer for his or her time and for giving you an opportunity, and ask politely if there is anything specific you could do to improve your chances for a future application. You may or may not apply again, but if you do you’ve already established a record of interest and constructive thinking.

These tips certainly don’t address every aspect of the interview process, but they go a lot further than talking about how you should dress. And if you delve into each of them thoroughly, you’ll find yourself much more ready for your next interview.