In-Person Interview Success: Strategies for the Final Stages

Mastering the Final Interview

After successfully passing the first stage screening interview with Asha, she has recommended you to move forward in the hiring process! This upcoming in-person interview is a crucial final opportunity to make it on the shortlist of viable candidates for the vacant role. The other candidates being interviewed at this stage are also highly qualified and competition will be incredibly difficult. To stay in the running, you will have to avoid any and all minor mistakes in order to impress the hiring manager. 

Planning Ahead 

Hiring managers at this stage of their interviewing process are looking for any excuse they can to narrow the field of competition. It is up to you to avoid giving them easy excuses to eliminate you. Take care when planning for your interview day. Make sure you:

• Arrive at the right location at the right time.
• Take every precaution to avoid being late; if you know there’s traffic at the time of your interview, leave early. 
• Leave extra time and arrive early enough that you can de-stress and collect yourself prior to the interview. 
• Have the location and contact information of your interviewers ready so that you are prepared if something goes wrong and causes you to be late. 
• Take control of the situation if you’re going to be late; call to let them know ahead of time to demonstrate how you deal with situations outside of your control. 
• Apologize if you’re late – humility goes a long way. 

What to Bring?

Brining things with you to an interview is a simple way to showcase your preparedness and soft skills. Make it a point to bring: 

• Anything the hiring manager or their associates have asked you to bring (copies of your resume, certifications, references, etc.) 
• A notebook! This is a good reflection of behaviours you would have in the workplace; if you take notes in an interview, it’s safe for the hiring manager to assume you would take notes in meetings. 

Presentation Matters

Dressing to impress is just as important to the interview process as having prepared answers to the hiring manager’s questions. Going into your interview you should: 

• Wear clean, wrinkle free attire that is appropriate for the position you’ve applied to. When in doubt, feel free to ask Asha what she recommends (she’s the reason you’ve made it this far in the process and she’s on your side).
• Make a point of not being smelly; shower before your interview! 
• Refrain from wearing strong cologne or perfumes that may distract or nauseate someone in close vicinity to you or break the rules of a scent-free environment. 
• Avoid smoking, vaping, or bringing your smoking materials with you; the smell could be off putting to others. 

Body Language

It’s important to be mindful of the way you present to others through body language so that you may control their perception of you. Especially to a seasoned interviewer, your actions can speak louder than words. In the interview you should:

• Make eye contact.
• Smile 
• Present yourself with open, nonaggressive body language. 
• Sit up, lean forward, and put on your best “active listening” face. 

• Maintain a relaxed, yet professional, posture. 
• Have a good, firm handshake. (If you don’t want to handshake, that's fine. Verbalize to your interviewer that you would prefer not to and give them a greeting that is more comfortable for you.)

First Impressions 

Interviews can be incredibly stressful environments, but it’s imperative that you find a way to relax. If you don’t, you run the risk of being uptight and uncomfortable, which the hiring manager will not interpret well. Your inability to deal with stress makes you an easy target for elimination when they are narrowing their list of viable candidates. To relax and give the right first impression you can try: 

• Starting your interview by thanking them for having you. Let them know you are excited to be there and are looking forward to hearing more about the position and the company. 
• Using non-consequential greetings and commentary that allows you to control a portion of the interview, equalize the playing field, and get pre-interview jitters out of your system. 
• Using light, self deprecating humour if it’s appropriate and used as a means to make you more comfortable. (“Let me know if my nervous sweating makes you uncomfortable, there’s a towel in my bag.”) 

The in-person interview is nerve wracking for everyone, but remember, it’s all a part of the hiring process! If you can conquer this situation and put your best foot forward to represent your skills and capabilities, you will succeed and land the job.

Check back with our blog in the coming weeks for how not to answer the most common interview questions. For more help on honing your interviewing skills and taking control of the unfamiliar environment posed by interviews, contact People Exchange today for professional coaching that will help you maximize your potential.