Landing the job is not as easy as it may seem, regardless of how qualified you may be for the position. Companies want to work with those who have to offer more than just a hefty resume. It’s all about confidence, personality, and the little details. This guide will help you tweak your interview performance and make a lasting impression to help you land the job.

Respond Thoughtfully

Regardless of how many interviews you’ve already done, don’t get bored of answering the same questions. As well as that, don’t give just a short or yes/no answer. Take a little time to think about the question and find a way to relate it to your work experience or your personality. 

You can take advantage of phrases like “I haven’t really thought about it, but” or “that’s an interesting question actually”, as they give you a few seconds to think without making you seem unprofessional or scared. They also make a much better impression than constantly saying “uhh” and “umm”.

Show Up a Little Early

Being timely is very important in any job, but it’s especially important in interviews when you’re making the first impression. Showing up a little early will make you seem more organized and make the interviewer feel like you respect their time.

Of course, you shouldn’t demand the interview to begin earlier because you’re there before the set time. Just sitting in the office and waiting your turn patiently will get you noticed and will definitely be respected. It’s a great way to start your interview on a good note before you even start talking to the interviewer.

Pay Attention to Your Physical Appearance

Of course, looks shouldn’t be the focus of your interview, but as human beings, we still take in most of the information from the world through our eyes. Therefore, you should look professional and well-kept. Having a good pair of pants and a shirt isn’t enough. Make sure that your clothes fit well, that they’re cleaned and ironed, and that they’re appropriate for work.

On top of that, get a haircut or style your hair. Your shoes shouldn’t be worn down or dirty, and you should definitely apply some pleasant perfume gently. All of this creates an impression of a professional who’s ready to get to work, which is exactly the kind of impression you should be making.

Revise Your Work Experience

You know what you’ve been doing all these years and you’re very well aware of the skills you have. However, can you present these details accurately and concisely in an interview? Instead of winging it, you can revise your work experience so you know exactly what to say when the interviewer asks.

This is an especially useful tip for people who tend to get anxious in interviews. Revising and practicing will help prepare you for the interview mentally and make you seem more confident. Looking like you know what you’re talking about definitely makes a great impression on anyone who’s interviewing you.

Have Professional Photos in Your CV

While most people focus on getting their CV as strong as possible, not a lot of them focus on the photos they put in it. As it was already mentioned, employees often look for a good personality instead of just extensive experience. On top of that, they want to put a face to the resume, so having a good picture can make you stand out and give the interviewers a stronger impression of who you are.

For this reason, a lot of candidates go for corporate headshots in Melbourne, New York, London, or any other city with a highly competitive market. Investing in yourself is never a waste of money, and these photos will be used more than just once. 

Have a Strong LinkedIn Profile

Aside from taking care of your printed or digital resume, you should also optimize your LinkedIn profile. A lot of people don’t think this is a very interesting network, but the matter of the fact is that it’s the biggest one for companies everywhere.

Having a strong LinkedIn profile can make you look more professional and put you on the radar of companies looking for new employees. If you plan on applying to jobs through this platform, you have one more good reason to optimize your profile, as it’ll be the first contact a potential employer has with you.

As you can see, there are a lot of things you can do to stand out from the sea of other candidates and get the job. If you take these tips to heart, you’ll be one step closer to landing the job you want. Companies and interviewers love when they know their candidate is paying attention and considering their application through and through, so don’t skip any steps.