Prepping for Your Next Interview

• Kurt Nunnikhoven
• April 04, 2023
• Newsletter Article

Whether you’re a corporate professional or a student looking for part-time work, the importance of a good first impression during an interview should never be underestimated.

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Whether you’re a corporate professional or a student looking for part-time work, the importance of a good first impression during an interview should never be underestimated. Thankfully, there are already a lot of simple, well-accepted tips you can use to ace your next interview.

 

Demeanor

Interviewers are always looking for candidates with great attitudes and outwardly positive appearances. For this reason, it’s important that you present yourself as upright, friendly, and considerate during your interview. Here are a few examples of what you can do to give the best impression.

 

• Sit up straight during your interview.
• Try to smile occasionally and avoid negative expressions.
• Use a positive tone of speech.
• Look at your interviewer while they speak.
• Be open, but don’t act too familiar with your interviewer.

 

Attire

Your outfit says a lot about who you are and what kind of values you hold. This is doubly true during an interview, since your interviewer will try to use every hint to discern what type of employee you would be. Here are a few helpful tips to ensure your appearance gives the best impression possible.

 

• If you’re interviewing on-site, you may want to dress well but you need to make sure you’d be able to walk through a field or shop in case your interviewer takes you on-site.
• If you’re interviewing for an office position, you should wear office-appropriate or business attire.
• Ensure that your hair and facial hair are well groomed. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a full beard, it just means you should keep it well-kept.

 

Homework

Interviews are a test of whether or not you would be a fit for a specific role within a company, so like any other test, it’s a good idea to study and prepare beforehand. Below are three pieces of information you should study before your interview.

 

• What kind of company is this?
  • Beyond your role in the company, what do they actually do, and what are their values?

 

• What is the role you’re applying for?
  • What are the specifics of the job posting?
  • What kind of environment would you be working in?

 

• How do you fit this role?
  • What kind of relevant experience and education do you have for this role?
  • What characteristics are they looking for and how do these positively represent you?

 

Engagement

Seeming engaged during an interview displays how enthusiastic you are for a position and can showcase your understanding and practical knowledge to your interviewer.

 

• Asking questions demonstrates that you are listening and giving your full attention.
• Contribute to the conversation by using anecdotes from past experiences or relaying your opinions on specific things, but avoid being confrontational or overly controversial.

 

 

Hopefully, with the help of these tips and a positive outlook, you can set yourself up to knock the socks off your next interview and if you need help finding your next interview, check out AgCareers.com online job board for your next opportunity!

 

 

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