How to Be Confident In an Interview

1. Learn about the company.  

Too many people go to their interviews underprepared. Employers are looking for seasoned professionals. Nothing says experienced 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?

• The values – Get to know who the company is and what they want out of their employees.
• The leadership – Find out who leads the company and what they care about, especially those who may be interviewing you.
• The news – Get quick insights into the organization’s struggles and triumphs.
• The clients – Dig into the company’s product and service offerings. Get to know their target market.  
• The 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. 
• Then 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. Cite concrete examples that demonstrate how you saved time, money or resources.
• Don’t forget the cardinal questions – No matter how creative they get with the questions, almost every interviewer wants to know your strengths and weaknesses. Choose strengths based on the job description. Be honest about your weaknesses, but tell the interviewer how you manage it.
• 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 remain 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 unawares.

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.