As somebody who is either in their last year of college or is a recent college graduate, you may be wondering, “How can I stand out in an interview?” or “What methods should I take to prepare for an interview?” First off, you must evaluate if you are ready to work in the real world. If so, then having a positive attitude will help to boost your confidence and put your best foot forward. To ensure you are prepared to impress employers here are several steps you should follow:

The 10 Steps to Interview Success

1. Dress professionally, bring a notebook and a pen.

How you present yourself begins the moment you walk through the door. If you go into a professional interview wearing jeans and t-shirt, that alone may cost you the job. It is advised to wear dress pants, a blouse/nice button up, a blazer, a belt, flats/heels or oxfords. Bring a notebook and a pen to write down important information relayed by your potential employer. This shows you are taking initiative and are eager to learn.

2. Be direct and clear.

Employers are looking to hire people who know their goals. Many times, graduates are not sure what they want and communicate that during an interview. Statements such as, “I’m still trying to understand what I want and need” or “I just want a job that gives me the ability to travel” are NOT what employers want to hear. These responses display uncertainty and a lack of independence. You must reassure employers you want the position and explain how you would add to the company. Be clear on the reason why you applied.

3. Be professional and opt out of having a casual tone.

When you are speaking to the interviewer displaying a professional tone is imperative. Avoid using slang as these words exhibit a sign of disrespect and lack an understanding of professionalism. Using phrases like “Yes, mam”, “No, sir”, or “Thank you for your time, Mr. Garcia” are preferred.

1. Conduct your own research.

Make sure you do research on the company’s history, background, mission, purpose, number of employees, etc. Try to get a better grasp of the industry, current events going on within your sector, and trends to look out for. As you are asked questions, find moments to show you know the company and are genuinely interested in their vision.

2. Determine the moments to display your background and experience

Your resume highlights achievements and tasks you performed in prior jobs. The night before, have a friend or family member sit with you to go over stories you have from each experience. You will most likely be presented with questions starting with “Tell me about a time when….” Practicing the moment as if you are already in the interview will ease nerves. Also, writing down these moments might help with recalling pivotal points in prior jobs.

3. Highlight your soft skills

Since you are either on your last semester or are a recent graduate, you lack experience. Despite not having developed solid hard skills, there are soft skills that you have attained in organizational and school roles. Write down a list of those skills (they should already be included in your resume). You should be able to recall instances where you have applied said skills.

4. Review your resume.

You will be asked about prior work experience, organizations, and accomplishments you have received. While you should have made updates recently, make sure you brush up on the information you included.

5. Discuss what you have taken away from your college experience.

An employer may want to know what you have learned from your college experience. If a question is posed, bring up the skills you have acquired, the mentors who taught you life lessons, and how your school built you up personally and professionally. Highlighting these factors will help you stand out amongst other applicants as you were able to recall pivotal points in your academic career.

6. Come up with a list of interview questions.

As you enter the job interview process you will be posed many questions relating to workplace experience, personal stories, your hard and soft skills, why you want the position, etc. Look up the most common job questions asked to get an idea of what to expect. This is the perfect time to throw in the question from Step 5, “Tell me about a time when….” Have a friend or family member pretend to be the prospective employer and ask you these questions. The more you practice the easier it will be to handle future interviews. Preparing these questions will help you succeed in your interview.

7. Prepare the night before.

Here are a few tips to ensure you will have a smooth morning or afternoon before your interview:

• Pick out your outfit in advance. This takes about 10 minutes and will save you time the day of.
• Remember to rehearse your responses to common interview questions.
• Practice your handshake with a family member or friend. Many people do not have a firm handshake and that is something employers look for.
• Have your bag with a notebook, pen, and/or pencil ready.
• Check maps to see how far the company is from your house to plan the appropriate time to leave. You should be at your interview 15 minutes before it begins.
• Breathe! At this point you have done all you can to prepare for this big moment. You are great, so exude confidence, remain attentive throughout the whole interview process, and remember to smile.

Source: Interview Focus