GOOD INTERVIEW ADVICE FOR MILSPOUSES: LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB OPPORTUNITY

So you finally have an interview for a dream position, but now the anxiety and panic set in. What do you need to know? What is good interview advice? What mistakes should you avoid? It’s natural to feel nervous and to want to make a really good impression, whether you’re interviewing in person or showing up on video. Knowing the top job interview tips not only increases your chances of getting your dream gig, but it also helps you feel more confident. Final job interviews can generate a lot of anxiety, but the truth is that you’ve made it this far in the whole process. Now it’s all about sealing the deal. Learn more by checking out these job interview tips because good interview advice can make a world of difference.

Job Interview Tips for Women

Many women don’t negotiate. This can be even harder for military or Veteran spouses who have often seen their career take a backseat to their spouse’s role. Remember to be confident in who you are and what you bring to the table. There have been studies showing that the majority of women won’t even apply for a job unless they meet every single criterion listed by the company. Don’t let that happen to you! If those nerves hit you when you first applied, they will also show up in your interview. Good interview advice can go a long way toward helping you land your dream job. Before going to your interview, spend time reviewing your resume and any other evidence that you’re awesome. This can include:

• Awards you’ve received
• Notes from your kids
• Self-affirmations you’ve written in the past
• An “evidence list” of the cool things you’ve accomplished

Looking at things like this will help put you in the right frame of mind to stand up for yourself. Final interviews are known for pushing on small details, such as reasons the company might not be 100% sure you’re the right fit. You should be prepared to speak honestly but also to hold your ground.

Dress Tips

When it comes to interview dress tips for females, look professional. Choose colors or clothes that make you feel confident and are not visually distracting (or, if you’re using a Zoom background, don’t choose outfits that the software struggles to see at the outline of your body). You can feel confident in dressing for a position that’s one seniority level above the one you’re currently interviewing for. This gives the right impression to your interviewers that you’re serious and professional without missing the point of the role. Dressing tips for job interviews will vary based on your position, too, so strive for something that matches the company vibe and the level of your role.

Tips for a Zoom Interview

When you’re interviewing virtually, don’t forget to make sure that all your tech works first. Even though you’re not meeting in person, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. If your role will be hybrid or fully remote, your Zoom interview is not just about showing up professionally for that one hour. Instead, it’s a preview for how you’ll show up to that remote position, too. Here are some of the most important tips for a Zoom interview:

• Check your lighting in advance. Open a Zoom room and make sure there’s nothing strange in your background. If the company is hosting the Zoom interview, your camera and background will pop up immediately. Make sure your background is clear and there’s no clutter visible in the frame.
• Charge Bluetooth headsets or earbuds well before the interview. Keep two backup options within easy reach in case something happens.
• Notify others in your household if Internet bandwidth is an issue. Arrange for childcare and make sure you have a quiet room where you can close the door.
• Get sleep the night before and stick to morning routines that bring you calm, such as meditation or journaling.
• Update your software before signing in on the day of. Make sure Zoom has permission for your camera and microphone beforehand so you don’t have to approve that in security settings by signing out and back in on the day of the job interview.
• When you’re on video, try to look at where the camera is on your screen as much as possible when you’re talking. It’s a digital environment, but this is as close as it comes to real eye contact.

This same information is good advice for Skype interviews, too. If you’re looking for job interview tips for introverts, you’ll likely feel right at home talking over video. Pumping yourself up beforehand can go a long way, but you also don’t want to overdo it and present a false persona of an extrovert. If the company wants you, they should know who you are and be excited about working with you, not someone you felt you had to “present” on a call.

Final Interview Advice

Perhaps the most nerve-wracking interview is the final one where you know it’s down to you and a couple other candidates. You feel the pressure of trying to do as well as possible, and you feel like you’re so close to getting the offer. In your final interview, there are still some tips to keep in mind so that you feel like you get what you need out of the conversation:

• Make sure to ask questions about what it’s really like to work with the company, even if you’re talking to an executive or CEO in this final interview. Ask them what their favorite things about the company are and where they think the business has room to grow. This will give you powerful insight into determining if this is the right fit for you.
• Show up early and send a thank you note (an email works, too) after the fact.
• Highlight what research and work you’ve done to make sure you understand the company, the team, and the role.
• Openly express your enthusiasm about the opportunity to work with the company.
• Don’t forget to keep a list of the questions you want to ask nearby. If you’re doing a virtual interview, for example, keep this on a sticky note near your computer. Have something open to take notes, too.

There’s no reason you can’t get that perfect position when you’re interviewing for a new role, especially with this good interview advice. A little bit of preparation goes a long way towards helping you pique a company’s interest and get them behind you from even the first interview.

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