16 Tips for Job Interviews - Part 2

(Huge disclosure: these are my personal opinions and I cannot guarantee you will land a job. Remember, you may impress them during an interview, but there are other factors that go into being hired.)

You've made it past the phone screen and have a 'real' interview lined up. Congrats! The job interview process can be brutal, particularly in tech fields. Check out my tips for impressing your interviewer and - HOPEFULLY - making it to the next step in the hiring process. 

(See my previous post for tips #1-4, to prepare before the interview takes place)

Tips during the interview

5) If you have a portfolio, bring it with you - either a physical copy or a digital one on your laptop. If it is on your laptop, be sure it is accessible to view without wi-fi. 

6) Show up a little early - don't be super early (unless there is a place to wait close by or can chill in your car- otherwise you'll be bored in the waiting area!) but DO NOT BE LATE

7) Don't hide your personality - be yourself. Don't try to become what you imagine 'the ideal candidate' to look or act like. They brought you in for a reason. 

8) Show enthusiasm in answering questions - yes, being interviewed is a drag. You know it, they know it. Don't make the situation worse by coming across as bored, or even defensive. This could be the start of a new chapter in your life, that should be pretty exciting, right? Pro Tip: turn the interview into a dialogue, so it's less of a brutal Q&A. When you get into conversation mode, your nerves will typically die down and you'll feel less like you're under verbal assault.

9) Ask questions that show interest in what the interviewer does for the company, how the company is structured, etc. - in line with #7, an interview shouldn't be a one-way situation. They're interviewing you as a potential fit, but you're interviewing them as well to see if this is a good fit for you. 

10) Takes notes on paper, not your phone - this is a personal preference of mine. When I see a candidate sitting across from me tapping around their phone, I cannot tell if they're taking notes or doing something like checking text messages. You want your tools to go unnoticed. Paper allows you a surface to draw out ideas, scribble notes, and more. As they say in movie theaters, keep your phone dark, silent, and in your pocket.

(check out Part 3, for the final set of tips for nailing your job interview)