How to Ace Your Next Job Interview

Be on Time

Punctuality is essential to a successful interview. For in-person interviews, plan ahead to account for traffic and other potential obstacles.
For online interviews, ensure a quiet space, a stable internet connection, and functioning audio and video equipment.

Be True to Yourself

While it can feel like you need to embellish your experience and qualifications and say things the interviewer wants to hear, remember to be genuine during the interview and the job process. By honestly embodying your values and priorities, you can feel comfortable sharing your skills and qualifications and building rapport easily with the interviewer. 

Remember, the interview is a place to showcase how you will fit into the company and the team, so present the best version of yourself, not someone else. 

Wait for the Interviewer to Mention Salary and Benefits

As a candidate, you gain much more leverage in salary negotiations if you allow the employer to lead with an offer figure. Letting the interviewer or hiring manager initiate the conversation about compensation ensures you aren’t undercutting your bargaining power because it gives you a starting point. 

Know the industry salary trends so you can discuss your salary confidently, especially if the job posting does not mention expected compensation. 

You can say something like: 

“Based on my research and experience, I'm interested in a salary that aligns with market rates for this role. Could you share the salary range you have budgeted for this position?” 

Send a Follow-Up

Following up is just as important as the interview and boosts your chances of landing the role. A thank-you note or email is a great way to demonstrate appreciation and reiterate your interest and availability to the employer. If there was a question you were hung up on during the interview and could not answer, take the time after the interview to craft and send a response. Taking this action displays your dedication and diligence. Remember to be punctual with the turnaround time on any follow-up note and send the email within a day of your interview. 

Let Go and Let God

Waiting to hear back after an interview can be stressful, but remember—you’ve done your part. Trust that what’s meant for you will come your way.

Here are some duas you can incorporate in your prayers to land the job you really want: 

• Dua for Ease 
  اللّهُمَّ لا سَهْلَ إلا ما جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلا وَأنتَ تَجْعَلُ الحَزْنَ إذا شِئْتَ سَهْلا
  Transliteration: Allahumma la sahla illa maa ja’altahu sahlan, wa Anta taj’alu l-hazna idha shi’ta sahla.
  Translation: Oh Allah, there is no ease except in that which You have made easy, and You make the difficult, if You will, easy.

• Dua for Success

  اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً
  Transliteration: Allahumma inni as’aluka ‘ilman nafi’an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan
  Translation: O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision, and acceptable deeds

• Dua for Speaking Confidently 
  رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِنْ لِسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
  Transliteration: Transliteration: Rabbish rahli sadri wa yassirli amri wah lul uqdatan min lisaani, yaf kahu kauli
  Translation: My Lord, expand my breast [with assurance] and ease my task for me, and untie the knot from my tongue so that they may understand my speech.