Five Goals You Should Have to Ace the Interview

Be positive.

You'll be a more attractive candidate (and coworker!) if you're upbeat and optimistic about your career outlook. One of the biggest tricks to interviewing is sounding enthusiastic about the position. Mastering that skill is a big payoff, though-- the interviewer is reassured that you are interested in the job and that you'll be a good team player.

Set goals.

Prior to interviewing, take the time to write down where you want to be in 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. Be specific and map out a step by step plan on how you’ll achieve those goals. Be focused and tenacious in your goals and let those ambitions be heard by the hiring company.

Sell what you can do.

Know what benefits and skills you bring to the table. Read over the job description and envision the concerns and needs of that employer. By convincing the interviewer that you can deliver the desired results, you are more likely to get an offer and you increase your leverage when it comes to negotiating the salary you want.

Be approachable and likeable.

This shows that you'll fit with the company culture and get along with other employees. The best way to make the interviewer confident that you’ll fit in is to be approachable and likeable throughout the interviewing process. Whether you’re talking to the interviewer face to face or through a virtual interview, smile.

Ask the right questions the right way.

People don’t like hidden agendas and interviewers are no different. Before any interview, prepare a list of questions that you are comfortable with and learn to deliver those politely and intelligently.

In the end, hopefully you can decide whether or not you want to work for the company, rather than passively allowing a company to pick you up. Be proactive, and above all, know what you want. Regardless of pay, title or industry, there are both positive and negative aspects to any position. Make the decision to focus on the things you enjoy about the job rather than letting any downside cloud your judgment and outlook.