Instead of sitting quietly, building a rapport with your interviewers before getting into the nitty-gritty details of the job can give you a major competitive edge over other candidates. Plus the interview will feel more like a friendly conversation which can certainly help calm those nerves (bonus)!

The key is to find something in common, and when in doubt always bring it back to the interviewer and the company. Remember, it's less about you, more about them. Try these out during your next interview or even at a networking event!

1. It's a pleasure to meet you. How was your weekend (or how has your week been)? This demonstrates to the interviewer that you're confident, proactive, and friendly.

2. What was the most pleasantly surprising thing about working here you learned once you were on the job? It a good idea to keep the conversation focused on the interviewee and their positive experiences with working at the company.

3. What's the most memorable thing that has happened to you since joining the company? This will show you are a positive person and care about others.

4. I read a really compelling article this morning on the way to the interview. Discuss it a little and if the interviewer seems interested continue, if not gracefully move on. Again, don’t monopolize the conversation! Although it is technically YOUR job interview, this is more about them than you.

5. What's one of the most interesting projects or opportunities that you've worked on? Interviewers will love the chance to reflect and respond on what it is they’ve worked on or are currently working on. This will also provide further insight into what they are doing now in the company, as well give the interviewer a chance to talk about their own accomplishments.

Remember to keep bringing it back to the interviewer/company and your interest in it!

Good luck : )

I have a job interview Monday, something thing I've never done, I've been looking for a change. keeping my fingers crossed. waiting on confirmation email, kind of nerves already.

Our profiles/resumes are now online and with email we barely use paper anymore, but the one paper item you need in today’s job market is a business card. They are PERFECT for giving out at events like a job fair or even after an interview.

I know what you’re thinking, I don’t even own a business I don’t need that. Even if this is true, when you think about it, YOU are your own business. Each time you go on interviews you are in the business of finding a job and selling yourself.

You want those who interview you to remember you days after an interview is over, and not forget you seconds later. A simple business card helps you achieve just that and remind them of who they just met! It does not need to be fancy or expensive. What it does need to do is have the following info:

1- Your first and last name 2- Your email (make sure it’s current) 3- Your phone number (again current) 4- Optional you can add a few words about who you are or what job role you are looking for, an inspirational quote, or small list of attributes about yourself (like a mini pitch).

Design a card and have them printed and ready for pickup the same day at your local [Staples] (https://design.staples.com/business-cards?cid=PS:GS:CP:CP:e:28:71700000024972939:staples+business+cards:p24099268377&cvosrc=ppc%20nonbrand.google-cpc.staples+business+cards&cvo_cid=909374119&cvo_crid=217841500534&Matchtype=e&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvLeE4Kzr1gIVTVmGCh2ExAybEAAYASAAEgL9tPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)

Or for more design options try [Vistaprint] (https://www.vistaprint.com/business-cards?txi=15626&xnid=TopNav_Business+Cards&xnav=TopNav) just make sure to check shipping and production times to ensure it arrives in time for when you need it.

Avoid these 6 pitch mistakes! A pitch is a clear, brief message that is ALL about you. It communicates who you are, what you're looking for in a job, and how that employer can benefit from hiring you.

This can happen on an interview, at a job fair, on a chance meeting, at a networking event or pretty much anywhere there is a hiring opportunity. Be sure to avoid the following:

1- Speaking too fast. Yes, you only have about 60 seconds to impress, but try to avoid cramming 15 minutes of information into one minute. It might sound strange.

***2- Using highly technical terms, acronyms or slang.***You want your pitch to be easily understood by any audience. The last thing you want is for whoever is listening to you to feel foolish.

3- Not being focused. This isn’t just ANY conversation and you’re not discussing the weather (unless that’s your job, in which case, never mind). Keep your pitch clear and focused.

4- Not practicing what you’re going to say. First, write down your pitch. Read it over. Have your friends and family read it. Does it make sense? Make sure it flows well and that there aren’t any spots that feel awkward. Then practice it. Practice it again. Keep practicing it until it becomes easy and comfortable to say and get it memorized in that brain!!

5- Being robotic. This is all about a face to face interaction with someone you want to impress. Having an easy, approachable, conversational style to your pitch will get you much further than an overly rehearsed speech.

Good luck! : )

Professional dress has changed massively in recent years. Business casual has made its way into almost every industry, even the most conservative, and you have to look current to avoid looking dated.

Interview attire can often be seen as a test of a candidate’s familiarity with the company culture and industry. The fact that you are wearing something current, will show you have put some effort into preparing for the interview, so do your homework.

Spend a little time researching the company to determine suitable interview outfits. If you are still not sure, you could also discreetly ask your HR contact for advice about company culture, or even connections in your LinkedIn network or ask friends here on Jobcase.

To help prepare check out these [interview outfit ideas by industry] (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/733383120539946079/) for [men] (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/358388082831309366/) and [women] (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AX_ZeInJN_5eadPtidhvNn4rAPbcwVYaKQONCVReTae5pBgg1Zi9ocU/).

Good luck on your interview!

So what IS the best way to prep? I don't mean to learn about the position, I am talking about how to interview in general. Are you turning to books, blogs, etc? What is the best way that you all prepare??

All I see on this site is how everyone is FEELING they bombed interviews!!!!! Listen, FORGET the fear of answering questions right or wrong!!!! Remember the FACTS!!! An interview is JUST selling who and what you have to offer a company and finding out what they have to offer you! We all say we have great communication skills - frankly, I'm not the best at it...BUT give me a piece of paper or computer and you got yourself some great writings!!! Listen, WE MUST BE CONFIDENT IN WHO AND WHAT WE ARE - THEN SELL IT - hard!!!! Don't lie and don't exaggerate, just pretend that your interviewer is your best friend and (s)he is asking you questions about who you are and what you want in life. NOW, some things you would tell your best friend that you shouldn't tell your interviewer. You don't have to go into real private conversations. I mean, pick and choose what would benefit you. The interview is what's going to get you into your dream job - what are you going to do about it? Are you going to crumble in fear with all the questions in your head stopping you from being you; or, are you gonna sell yourself so wisely and proficiently that they would be blind NOT to hire you! Come on folks, YOU KNOW WHO AND WHAT YOU ARE - your experience...your skills...you know what you are capable of...so, why are we so afraid of interviews???? Because we are so afraid of answering wrong - saying the wrong thing, wearing the wrong thing, forgetting everything important....well, what I say to that is YOU'RE UNDER MY FEET!!! STOMP STOMP STOMP....no more! If you gotta pep talk yourself - which is what I do...I'm great at interviews....it's just getting that second interview and competing with others that I'm not great at. I need a job - yes, but do I need it more than the next person? I don't know! THAT'S my weakness. Something that I need to work on! I'm just as good as the next person, if not more qualified. I've always had a hard time asserting myself. So, I get all the fear and questions and doubt....BUT when you are confident in YOU - you're fierce and NOTHING/NOONE can stop you!!!!! NOW, go out there and SLAM these interviews and show them who's BOSS!!!!

My beard is kind of my thing. I have had it for a LONG time and while I keep it trim do you guys think I have to shave it totally off for my interview? I want to be respectful and all that, but it's tough to come between a man and his beard.

An interview usually lasts 40 minutes right? BUT when over 2,000 bosses were surveyed, they said they knew within the first 90 seconds if they will hire a candidate or not! The survey also found some other interesting facts. Below is the percentage of interviewers who said doing this particular thing turned them right off to that candidate.

-70% indicated applicants were too fashionable or trendy (that one is interesting). -67% indicated failure to make eye contact. (makes sense to me) -55% the way the candidate dressed, acted or walked through the door. -47% of clients who had little or no knowledge of the company. (bad, bad, bad) -38% was a tie – quality of voice and overall confidence/lack of a smile. -33% for bad posture. (sit up straight people!!!) -26% because the handshake was too weak. (my friend needs to work on this) 21% for crossing their arms over their chest during the interview. (ya look BORED or angry)

Keep working hard everyone and stay away from getting caught up in the things interviewers hate.

I enjoy hearing all the weird interview ?'s that pop up here because then I prep for them, BUT nothing prepped me for this. The interviewer turns to me towards the end and says, OK so now I want you to teach me something in the next five minutes. I froze. The first thought in my head was oh crap!! My next thought was what in the hell am I going to teach this man?? Talk about pressure. I asked him if he knew how to whistle and he said no. It was literally the ONLY thing that came to my mind and I know a lot of people who can't whistle. So I proceeded to walk him through step by step instructions of how to whistle. I felt like such an idiot puckering my lips and watching him do the same. It took him about fifteen minutes, but he got it : ) I am waiting to hear back. I wonder if I should have taught him something else, maybe something easier. What could I teach next time? ...if there is a next time.