You’ve finished the course. You’ve put in the time. You’ve put in the effort. Congratulations, but it doesn’t stop there. Now that you’ve accomplished so much, you need to put what you’ve learned into action. Roll up your sleeves because we’re going into a deep dive on how to ace an interview and get you hired quickly!  

If you’re a CanScribe alumnus, you’ve likely received a list of our employment partners that are hiring. If you haven’t used that list yet, what was all that effort you put into the course for? We’re here to help and support you, and we want you to get that work-from-home career you worked so hard for in your program.   

Ready to start?

Applying for new jobs is about half patience and half perseverance. Remember, don’t take it personally if your resume gets rejected by a company. Review your resume, make a few changes, and apply again. This whole process should be a learning experience, even if it gets frustrating waiting for a response or continually being turned down. If you keep your resume handy and try applying again for that same job a month or so down the line, you might get an interview! They might not need you now, but you might be what they’re looking for in the future.   

While keeping that in mind, here are our tips to ace an interview and get you hired quickly!  

Step One. Your resume.

Let’s ace an interview!

Be sure your resume is well-written, clear, and concise and outlines all the skills and knowledge you’ve attained throughout the program. Your resume is your ticket to your interview.   

Be sure to tailor your resume to the employer. Our instructors can always help you shine up your resume if needed. They are a valuable resource, so don’t worry about reaching out to them, even if you graduated years ago!   

If you want more tips on how to respond to a job ad, check out how to improve your chances of being considered for a job. You can also get tips on how to write a cover letter when you work from home, or you can check out our webinars on our YouTube channel. 

Step two. Research the company.

Don’t forget to study the job description.

Without a doubt, a company that’s called you for an interview will want to see that you’ve researched their company and know a little about who they are. If you research their company, it shows initiative and a clear interest in the role on your part. If you’ve studied the job description, that’s a bonus, and you should try to find ways in the interview to reference the research you’ve done on the company and ask specific questions about the role and how your skills align with the job description.   

Step three. Come up with answers to typical interview questions.

Don’t forget to practice them!

Researching common interview questions is a great way to practice answering any questions that might pop up in your interview. Research some typical ones in the industry you’re applying for, brainstorm some answers and practice them. Grabbing a friend or a family member to play the role of an interviewer and do mock interviews can be helpful.

Step four. Create a solid first impression.

Be prepared for small talk.

Your biggest asset is a smile and a positive attitude. If you can do that, you’ll already have put your best foot forward. You should be prepared for the interviewer to break the ice with small talk at the beginning and later in the interview. The key is to remember that the interview is for both of you, not just the interviewer, so chat with them like you would with someone you’re familiar with. Be personable, but don’t go over the top.  

Step five. Relax.

Be yourself.

You might feel a little anxious, awkward, and intimidated by the interview when you finally sit down, which is normal. The best advice is to remember that the interview is just as much for you as it is for the company. Interviews are a two-way street, they want to see if you’ll be a good fit for the company, and you want to know if you would enjoy working at that company. Don’t be afraid to show a little personality in your interview; if they don’t choose you, you might not have wanted to work at that company anyways.   

Step six. Ask the right questions.  

It’s not hard once you know what to ask.

Yes, you want to ask questions at the end of the interview. Yes, they should be about finding out what is expected of you at the job, how many hours a week it is, and when the start date is. You should ask questions about the culture of the company as well. You’ll want to know if the people are easy to talk to, fun, and supportive. Ask questions to find out if you’d enjoy working at the company. What are the company’s values? If the company’s values and culture don’t align with how you are, it might not be a fit or a good place to put your energy into.   

Step seven. Write a follow-up letter.  

Be brief and professional.

This step happens a day or two after the interview, and it’s one of the most important steps to take to ace an interview. By taking a minute to send a follow-up message or email, you are taking another step towards increasing your chances of getting the job you applied for. This message should include that you were grateful for the time spent at the interview, how your skills align with the position, and how excited you are at the opportunity to work in the role. This step will bring your application at the company full circle and keep you top of mind for the employer.   

Remember to ace an interview, and getting the job you want takes patience and perseverance. But with the right training behind you, you’ll be ahead of all the other applicants.   

Congratulations on finishing the program, and we hope our interview tips to ace an interview will help find you that work-from-home job you’ve worked so hard for! If you have questions about working on your resume or more tips for interviews, CanScribe graduates have lifetime access to our instructors and resources for just that!   

Follow CanScribe on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram for more tips for online learning, job and career tips, and much more!