Dress for your job

Before going to your job interview, make sure you dress to leave a good first impression. You might not require a fancy suit or dress but you should at least come in respectable clothes. If your interview is over the phone, you will not need to dress up, but if your interview is over a video chat, then you may still need to dress up.

Do research on the company or job you are applying to before hand

Let's say you wanted to be hired at Fastenal. What is Fastnal? What do they do? How do you see yourself fitting into their company? Does your research leave any questions you have unanswered, such as the salary or benefits you might get? Come prepared to the interview with questions for the interviewer, and use terms they would recognize as a part of the company when selling yourself.

Find a reason to be hired besides making money

Are you passionate about stocking bread back onto shelves? Or are you just trying to get this job to make money? Never say the latter out loud, instead, always sell yourself as if the job you are applying to is some kind of dream job of yours. If you don't want to lie, try your best to keep it as honest as possible while still selling yourself as someone that wants the job for its own sake. Alternatively, you could claim you want to get experience in the field.

Figure out the answers to stereotypical interview questions before hand.

It's an interview. It is obvious they might ask you for your strengths and your weaknesses. When you know they might ask a question, you might feel better if you prepare your answers before hand. What is a time you had to take initiative to solve a problem? If you are someone that doesn't have many examples, coming prepared may ease your mind.

Practice interviewing with someone to become more comfortable

Find someone you know to help you with practice questions so you become good at the game.

Article written on 9/27/2025, by Ryan Rayburn