8 Ways to Be Remembered in a Job Interview

A job interview is your chance to make a great first impression and show hiring managers why you’re the right candidate for the job. But with so much competition out there, it can be challenging to stand out in an interview. 

However, by focusing on preparation and research, you can increase your chances of success during an interview. Preparing answers to common interview questions will also help you appear organized, confident, and intelligent. Here are some tips to ensure your interview goes as smoothly as possible.

From the second you walk into the interview room, you need to make a great first impression. This means being well-groomed, dressing appropriately, and exuding confidence. Remember, first impressions are important, so make sure you give off the right impression from the start.

Since your goal is to be remembered (in a good way), you want to make the best first impression possible. Stand tall, make eye contact, and smile when you meet the interviewer. These things all combine to make you look and feel more confident, which is essential in an interview.

“I’ve interviewed hundreds of job candidates, and the ones who make the best impression are always the ones who are confident and smile,” says Karim Hachem, VP of eCommerce at La Blanca. “It sounds simple, but it’s so important to remember in an interview.”

If you need practice being confident, try standing in front of a mirror and practicing your introductions and responses to common interview questions. The more you practice, the more confident you will feel when it comes time for your interview.

While you don’t always have to wear a suit to every interview, you should make it a point to dress professionally. Keeping your wardrobe simple will also help make dressing for your interview less stressful. Plus, following these guidelines will make dressing for your interview easier and more effective:

“It always amazes me how many job seekers don’t dress for success when interviewing,” says Melissa Rhodes, CEO of Psychics1on1. “Your attire speaks volumes about your professionalism and attention to detail, and it directly reflects how you’ll carry yourself in the workplace.”

So make it a point to dress for success when interviewing for a job. After all, first impressions matter, and you want to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward from the start.

Before you start your interview, you’ll want to confirm the details of the interview as well as its purpose. This includes confirming the hiring manager’s name, the name of the company, and the position you’re interviewing for. 

You should also confirm the format of the interview (if applicable) and when the interview will take place. For example, will you be interviewed by one person or a group? Will you be interviewed by an HR representative or hiring manager? 

Your interviewer may also be able to tell you the format of the interview. If not, you can ask. By taking a few seconds before the time of the interview to confirm these details, you’ll avoid getting off on the wrong foot.

“It never hurts to ask for clarification,” Liza Kirsh, CMO at Dymapak. “This shows me that you are detail-oriented and organized—and those are the types of people I want on my team.”

Before you go into your interview, you should research the company you’re interviewing with. This research should include reading the company’s website, reviewing its social media channels, and searching for recent articles about the company. While you don’t need to memorize the company’s history, you should ask the right questions.

According to Serdar Ozenalp, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Ocoza, “The best way to show that you’re fully prepared for the interview is to ask specific, insightful questions about the company or role.

“Ask questions like, ‘What would you say are the company’s primary strengths and weaknesses in the market?’ or ‘Can you give me an overview of what a successful candidate looks like for this role?’ The key is to show that you’ve really done your homework and thought about how you would be a valuable asset to the company.”

By keeping these elements in mind, you’ll be able to deftly address any questions the interviewer throws your way. You’ll also appear more thoughtful and sincere.

Adam Bém, Co-Founder and COO of Victoria VR adds, “It’s also important to be up-to-date on current events affecting the industry. This way, you can ask informed questions and join in on industry-related conversations.”

Coming to your interview armed with a pen and paper shows that you’re ready to take notes. This way, you can jot down key points from the conversation so that you can refer to them later. Plus, if you have any questions, you can write them down and ask them at the end of the interview.

“I’m most impressed by candidates who ask if it’s okay to take notes during the interview,” says Gigi Ji, Head of Brand and Business Development at KOKOLU. “This shows me that they’re truly interested in the role and want to make sure they have all the information they need before making a decision.”

You might not be familiar with an elevator pitch, but you’re probably familiar with an elevator. To put it simply, your elevator pitch should be short enough to explain who you are, what you do, and why you’re great at it in the time it takes to ride an elevator up to the 10th floor. 

You don’t always need to be ready to deliver an elevator pitch in your interview. But you should practice your elevator pitch ahead of time to make sure it flows smoothly in case the interview calls for it.

“Candidates who can deliver a concise, engaging elevator pitch always stand out,” says Patricio Paucar, Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer of Navi. “It shows that they’re confident and that they know how to sell themselves.”

This is another area that you may need to practice in order to be successful. You can start by brainstorming a list of your key strengths and accomplishments. Then, try to narrow it down to the most important points. Finally, practice delivering your pitch out loud until you feel confident that you can do it without sounding rehearsed.

The interviewer is likely to ask you about your resume, so you want to be prepared to discuss its strengths and weaknesses. You want to be as prepared as possible to discuss every entry on your resume, including what you did, where you did it, what your responsibilities were, what your achievements were, and what your skills were.

“When I interview candidates, I often ask them to walk me through their resume,” says Brianna Bitton, Co-Founder of O POSITIV. “It’s a great ice-breaker, and it allows me to get a better sense of their experience and skills. Candidates who can’t speak confidently about their resume always stand out—in a bad way.”

You don’t want to be the candidate who can’t speak confidently about your resume. So take some time to review it before your interview and make sure you’re familiar with everything on it.

Not being able to recall information on your resume will come across as either dishonest or unprofessional. 

Throughout your interview, you should be prepared to ask the interviewer questions. This is important because asking questions not only makes you appear thoughtful but it also shows your interviewer that you care about the position. 

By asking questions, you’ll also be able to gain insight into the company’s culture and structure, as well as clarify any questions you have about the position.

“One of the single most important things a candidate can do is ask serious questions about the position,” says Kirin Sinha, CEO of Illumix. “Those are the candidates that stand out to me.”

“By asking me questions, they’re also able to show me that they’re truly interested in the role and that they would be a valuable asset to the company.”

Key Points to Remember

When you’re preparing for a job interview, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

“A prepared candidate is almost always going to be a step ahead of the competition,” says Sumeer Kaur, CEO of Lashkaraa. “The position I’m offering is serious, so I need to know that the person I’m hiring is taking it seriously, as well.”

By following these tips, you’ll be sure to make a great impression in your next job interview. Just remember to be confident, articulate, and prepared, and you’ll be well on your way to landing the job of your dreams.