Everybody knows that job interviews are, on some level, a popularity contest. Unless you have a rare skill set and are applying for a job where you never have to talk to anyone, your interviewer will be as interested in your ability to get along with folks at the office as your aptitude for the job.
The good news is that there’s plenty of stuff you can do to make the interviewer realize how much more fun you are than the other candidates. With thanks to Bloomberg Businessweek and Freemoneyfinance.com, we present a few easy ways to make an interviewer fall in love with your sterling personality:
1. Be a Stalker — But Not, Like, an Actual Stalker
Check out their LinkedIn profile, and use what you find as a starting ground for conversation. Stay out of their Facebook business, though, and don’t reference anything too personal, even if your interviewer isn’t savvy enough to hide those details from the internet at large.
2. Have Responses to All the Usual Questions
Sure, you hope they don’t trot out the old, “Tell us about your most challenging moment at work” question. But just in case they do go the classic question route, be prepared. Think about where you’d want to be in five years, your greatest successes and challenges, and your perfect work environment. Even if no one asks, it’s better to feel comfortable ahead of time.
3. Be Appropriate
Don’t high-five or fist-bump; stick with the classic handshake. And pay attention to your surroundings: you can tell a lot about a company’s culture by what you see when you’re visiting the office.
Tell Us What You Think
We want to hear from you! How do you ace your job interviews? Leave a comment or join the discussion on Twitter, using the hashtag #MakeItHappen.
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