You’ve obviously done something right, and that something right was your resume. Because in today’s employment environment, there could be hundreds of applicants for a single position. Now, here you are with an interview time set up, and you know that it’s “make it or break it” time. You must rock this interview and get the offer.

There are three parts to the interview process – preparation, the interview itself, and the follow-up afterward. With that in mind, here are strategies and tips that will give you the best chance to win.

Before the Interview

The better prepared you are before you walk in the door or get on that Zoom call, the more your confidence will be boosted. Here are the key steps to take during this stage.

Research the Company – Thoroughly

You need to know all that you can about the company. You never know when some small point about the company may come up during the interview. It may be some small news article you read.

Obviously, access the company website but also search for news articles or even blog posts. You’d be surprised where you might find some tidbit of information. If it’s an international company, for example, you might even get on an international dating app and perhaps use the company name in your profile to match with others who may be employed or know of the company. Just be as thorough as your time allows.

Practice Answers to the Most Common Interview Questions

The best tip here is to be honest. Do not exaggerate while you are trying to convey your strengths and what you can bring to the company.

Here are the most common questions:

• Tell me about yourself
• What makes you interested in this position?
• What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
• Tell me about the biggest challenge you have ever faced at work and how you tackled it.
• Give me an example of when you made a mistake on the job and how you handled it.
• Why do you want to leave your current position?
• Where do you intend to be in five years?
• What questions do you have for me (us)?

The Elevator Pitch

Now, that first question may be the most important – it will set the tone for the rest of the interview. Remember that the interviewer(s) have already read your resume, so it is boring and redundant just to hit the highlights of what is already known. It’s time to prepare an “elevator pitch.” If this is a new term to you, understand the elevator pitch has been around for a long time. Traditionally, it has been a formal 30-60-second rundown of who you are, what you do, what you’re great at, and how you are the best candidate for the position.

But times have changed. Good elevator pitches today are informal and conversational. They often include a story that showcases a particular skill or talent you know the company is seeking (from the job description) or a pain point you have learned about from your research. For more tips on creating a great elevator pitch, check out this article.

Re-read the Job Posting

This will remind you of specific skills and talents you want to make sure you get into the conversation and that you are really qualified for the position. Plus, it may give you ideas for questions to ask.

Prepare a List of Questions You Want to Ask

Here are some questions that will show your continued interest but might be a little thought-provoking too:

• How would you describe the company culture?
• What do you enjoy most about working here?
• What challenges does the company face right now?
• Where do you see the company going over the next five years?

The Interview Itself

Dress

This can be a tough one, but if you have been on the company website, you have hopefully seen photos of the workforce in action. The best strategy is to dress up one level from the employees. It’s not uncommon in progressive, fast-paced work environments for people to be in T-shirts, jeans, and tennis shoes. In that case, you wear a good pair of slacks and a collared shirt or a casual but nice top. If the workforce seems to be in slacks and shirts, do the same, but add a jacket.

Arrive Early

Don’t overdo this. 10-15 minutes is appropriate. That gives you time to hop into the bathroom and double-check your looks, as well as time to have a seat and take a number of deep breaths to get yourself calm and relaxed.

Maintain Eye Contact

Yes, at all times. Do not waver from this unless you are asked to look at something, for example. If it’s a group interview, try to span the room and make eye contact with as many as possible while you talk. And by all means, look directly at the person asking the question and begin your answer with eye contact on them before moving around.

Be Upbeat and Positive

It’s okay to smile and have an enthusiastic tone of voice, but don’t overdo it. Find a balance between being stoic and serious and more casual and positive.

Have Extra Copies of Your Resume and a Couple of Other Things

You never know who may be joining the interview, so be prepared to hand them a resume if they don’t have one.

 Also, take a pen and notebook. You may want to take some notes as the interviewer answers your questions.

Never Bad-Mouth a Former Employer

If asked why you left or want to leave a position, have an answer ready that makes sense and is somewhat honest, even if you hated your boss. This will get you an automatic rejection.

Confidence Not Arrogance

It’s great to demonstrate confidence in your accomplishments, but it’s not great to come across as arrogant and braggadocio. Find the right balance to showcase your achievements and have enough humility to give credit to others who worked with you to attain them.

Be Concise in Your Answers

Don’t belabor points and go off on tangents – it’s common when people are nervous. Focus on the question being asked, tie your answer to the job description, and stop.

Salary – The Elephant in the Room

It’s not unusual for an interviewer to ask you about your salary expectations. Avoid answering this if at all possible. One good answer might be, “Well, that would depend on the entire package,” or “I expect this will be something we would negotiate.”

If you are “forced” to give a figure, be honest and reveal what you are currently earning or what you earned at the last position held, but indicate that you expect to be offered a salary commensurate with your responsibilities.

Ask About the Next Steps in the Process

As the interview is winding up, be sure to ask what happens next. You have a right to know, so just do it politely.

Post-Interview

Send a thank-you email to your interviewer. Be brief, but indicate your continued interest in the position. Something like, “Thank you for the opportunity to interview for (title of position). I remain excited about the prospect of joining (name of company) and hope to hear from you soon.” That’s it. Now you just wait and hope it’s good news!