How to Be Confident In a Job Interview

Interviews can be tough, no matter how many times you’ve been through them. But, trust us, if you take the time to get to know the position, the responsibilities, and the company, we promise you’ll feel a lot more confident. With the below guide, you'll be prepared to talk about how your skills, experience, and personality will fit right in.

1. Learn about the company.  

Too many people go to their interviews underprepared. Employers are looking for professionals who show that they're taking this opportunity seriously. Nothing says "I want this job" like an interviewee who has done their homework. Find out as much as you can about the organization. Use these sources:

• The company website.
• Google “News” Search
• Friends and business associates
• LinkedIn and other social media networks
• Glassdoor

So, what exactly are you researching?

• Values: Get to know who the company is and what they want out of their employees.
• Leadership: Find out who leads the company and what they care about, especially those who may be interviewing you.
• News: Get quick insights into the organization’s struggles and triumphs.
• Clients: Dig into the company’s product and service offerings. Get to know their target market.  
• Real culture: There is the 'what we strive to be' and the 'this is who we are' - they're not always aligned. Find out about the company from insiders.

2. Research yourself!  

Learning about the company is only half the battle. Once you’ve mastered that, it’s time to make connections between the organization and who you are as a professional.

• Start with the job description: This is where the company gives you a road map of what they want. Use this as a starting point to develop thorough notes.
• Brush up on your career history: Once you have identified what the company is looking for, review each of your prior positions for real examples of how you have achieved these goals in the past. Write down concrete examples that demonstrate how you saved time, money, or resources; it will help you remember them better.
• Don’t forget the big questions: No matter how creative they get with the questions, almost every interviewer asks the same basic questions. Prepare your answers ahead of time and practice saying them out loud.
• Put your best foot forward: Your resume gets you in the door, but it’s the soft skills that can make all the difference. Relax, be yourself, and stay positive. Don’t forget that employers are assessing your attitude and presentation as well as your technical background.
• Make sure to clean up your social media: Is your social media private? Have you ever googled yourself? No worries, we have a whole page dedicated to make sure you’re search-worthy.

3. Get your questions ready.

Here is an insider tip from Adecco to you. Interviewers favor candidates who ask questions. It shows that you think critically and signals confidence. It’s best if you come up with questions that arise during the research process. If you need help, start with:

• What are the main responsibilities of the job?
• Who does the position report to?
• What are some of the challenges of this position?
• How does this team support the company's current goals?

After you’ve done the above research, practice-practice-practice! You want to have as much ready info in your brain as you can, that way nerves or sudden spotlight questions won’t catch you at off guard.

Now you have the confidence, but are you ready to leave a lasting impression? Button-up job seeker, it’s time to arrive in style. Click here to read the next article in our interview series on what to wear in an interview.