Last-Minute Job Interview Tips

You have been looking for a job for the last several months. Today, you just received a sudden job invite. You should feel proud of yourself that you’ve gotten an interview. But sometimes you don’t have days or weeks to prepare for a job interview. Sometimes you only have a few days or even hours to prepare for a very important interview.

You just received a job interview and it’s happening this afternoon. What will you do? In this article, we share last-minute interview tips to help you prep for an interview.

Dress the Part

The interview is the point where prospective employers get to know you as a person. Are you prepared to make that terrific first impression? When dressing for an interview, select a formal attire that will make you stand out.

Generally, a job interview calls for you to wear professional, or business, attire. A matching two-piece suit is always a good bet. If wearing a suit, choose grey, black, or navy with a coordinating shirt. Whatever you choose, make sure it is comfortable and makes you feel confident.

You can take a more personal approach by dressing according to the company culture. It’s also a good idea to consider the role and industry. So, be sure to learn about an industry’s fashion culture.
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    Arrive at The Interview Early

    Arriving 15 to 20 minutes before your scheduled interview is acceptable. That way, you have a few minutes to check in with the receptionist. Just give them your name and say that you are there for an interview.

    Give yourself enough time to get there without feeling rushed. Arriving late sends a bad message, no matter what the reason. But showing up too early is bound to throw the hiring manager off. Some managers may think it’s not polite to come to an interview too early. 

    Know the Language

     A lot of interview advice focuses on how to answer specific questions. Great interview language skills will help you secure the role. But you don’t need a complex vocabulary to show off your skills. Being informative does not mean being overly confident and bragging about your abilities.

    Know the specifics of the job description so you can easily cite keywords. Using these words shows that you’re highly engaged with your work. For instance, if the company is dealing with table tennis, you can talk about a game of shuffleboard. Think over the last sentence before answering. Also, make sure you don’t use any informal slang or make any basic grammar mistakes.

    Know the company

    Career experts always say to research a company before you head in for a job interview. Researching employers is one of the best ways to become a stand-out candidate. You don’t want to come across clueless and confused.

    So, what’s the fastest and easiest way to get enough information about a company? Companies will often tell you the answer to this question right on their websites. Take some time, in advance, to learn as much as you can online. Start by doing a web search for the company and looking at news articles. In fact, those articles are likely targeted toward you, as a job seeker.  If the employer has social media sites, take a few moments to visit them. This should give you a good idea as to the overall ethos of the company. Also, don’t be afraid to ask any details regarding hiring practices.

    Do Industry Research

    To start with, determine what the company is looking for in a qualified candidate. That way, you will be able to know how you can prepare yourself to be the best candidate. When you are reviewing the job description, read between the lines to get a filling of what will be asked during the interview. You can also get more information from the employer’s page or online company reviews.

    It would be best if you also determined who are the key players within the company. These are the individuals who make major decisions within the company. Read the “About Us” page to know who these key players are. Moreover, it’s a good idea to check the company’s social media accounts, such as Twitter and Facebook, for more information.

    Let Your Personality Stand Out

    The company is not just trying to determine if you have the skills to do the job. They are also trying to determine if you can be compatible with their culture. As a result, they’ll be trying to gauge your personality. Therefore, you should try to present a warm and compassionate personality during the job interview.

    Getting Started

    Even if you have been to many interviews, each new interview can be daunting. These tips can help you ace any last-minute interview.