10 Tips You Need to Ace Your Next Interview

May 29, 2024

Interviews can be intimidating because you obviously want to put your best foot forward and land your dream job. While your resume may have gotten you in the door for the interview, what happens during that interview can make or break your chances of becoming the newest employee.


Doing well on your interview and getting hired doesn’t have to be as difficult as you may think. Here are 10 tips to help calm your nerves and ace your next interview.


10 Interviewing Tips to Land Your Next Job


1. Be Extremely Prepared

While this may seem like a no-brainer, be prepared. Some people go into their interviews unprepared. This can really lower your chances of getting hired. Besides doing your research on the company and your job expectations, rehearse your answer to typical job interview questions. Some common questions include:


  • Why do you want to work here?
  • What can you contribute to the position?
  • How does your experience make you a good candidate?


If possible, rehearse your answers with someone you trust. While you may rehearse the answers in your head, they may not sound as great when you actually say them. Ask for feedback about the pros and cons of your answers so you know what to improve upon.


2. Perfect Your Elevator Pitch

Your elevator pitch is your big chance to introduce yourself in a compelling, yet concise way. Highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and career goals. Deliver your pitch with confidence and make sure it resonates with the company’s culture and job requirements. This pitch can help to set either a positive or negative tone for the rest of the interview, make it a positive one!


3. Don’t Expect Just One Type of Question

Employers are looking for people who are real thinkers, so be prepared for out-of-the-box questions. This can include hypothetical questions that will force you to put yourself in a role in case you do get hired.


Whatever questions you’re asked, be sure to answer in less than 90 seconds. When you answer, think of this pattern…situation, your action steps, and end result. This will get you moving in the right direction.


Also, don’t speak outside of the question and don’t try to speak on subjects outside of the role. It can send the wrong message.


4. Don’t Exaggerate Your Qualifications

While you should be proud of your accomplishments and qualifications, you shouldn't exaggerate them. Any employer will see right through this and will be less likely to hire you.


5. Understand the Role of Each Person Interviewing You

Many times, interviews will involve more than one person asking questions at the same time. Be aware of each person’s role so that you can answer questions accordingly. A supervisor may want to know how you’re going to manage your time, while another colleague will want to know how you’re going to fit into the team.


6. Dress for Success

Save the flip-flops for the beach and dress appropriately for your interview. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to be slightly more formal. Be sure all clothes are clean, ironed, and fit well. No matter how good you look on paper, looking professional in person will reflect positively on your work ethic.


7. Be Positive

No one wants to hire a “Debbie Downer” with zero energy. Smile genuinely during your interview and make eye contact. Be enthusiastic about the job and your potential role in the company. This will be noticed and appreciated as long as it’s genuine.


Also, think about any potential red flags, such as reasons for switching jobs and any gaps in employment. Be sure to answer questions about these topics in a positive way.


8. Highlight Your Unique Value

Identify your unique skills, experiences, and personality traits that make you the candidate of choice and a valuable asset. Be sure to emphasize how these qualities align with the company’s needs and culture.


9. Have Some Questions of Your Own Prepared

Asking important questions shows you’ve done your research and want to know more about the organization and the position. Be sure the questions you have are insightful and add value to the interview process.


10. Speak Clearly and Concisely

Communication skills rank high for employers. They want to hire someone who can express themselves well without pausing or using slang. Speak well and clearly so that your interviewer will know that you are a good communicator and will bring this skill with you if hired.


At the end of the interview, thank the person for their time. Be patient because the hiring process can be a lengthy one depending on the position and how many other candidates there are.  Don't be discouraged if you don't hear back immediately. Follow up politely after a reasonable timeframe if you haven't received any updates. Good luck!

How to Build a Manufacturing Hiring Process That Does Not Burn Out Your HR Team

February 6, 2026
Burnout can impact all aspects of your manufacturing team. From the people on the shop floor to those working in the human resources department, everyone can face burnout when it comes to their jobs. High turnover rates, the constant pressure to fill specialized technical roles, and the sheer volume of entry-level applications can create major stress for a manufacturing HR department. But there are ways to create a hiring process that works with your production needs without burning out your staff. Consider these ways you can prevent your HR staff from burning out while still getting the job done. Don’t Wait Until Someone Leaves to Start Looking for New Workers HR teams feel the burn when they’re forced to panic hire. When a vacancy suddenly occurs, HR must push to fill it right away to avoid halts in production. This can be stressful and can lead to hiring people who are really not qualified for the job. Instead, work on having a pool of available talent whom you can go to when a vacancy opens. While they may not be available, you may be able to find someone who is extremely qualified and has already shown interest in the company. This releases the stress and is a more efficient way of hiring. Streamline the First Round of Screening Instead of manually going through all resumes to see if they meet the basic requirements, use “knock-out” questions to eliminate those that don’t meet the basic requirements. This can include things like shift availability and having certain certifications. If an applicant does not possess these things, then you can weed them out right away. This allows HR to only spend time screening candidates who are eligible for the job. More Efficient Interviewing Process Implement a more efficient interviewing process. Every hiring manager may have a different process that inevitably slows things down. Establish one process that everyone agrees on. This can include a structured scorecard to rate candidates based on their interview answers. Rather than send emails back and forth to candidates, use a self-service booking link that allows the candidates to see available slots and sign up for them. Instead of having to track down different managers for their thoughts on a candidate, use digital notes in a file so everyone can have access to the different opinions and reach a decision quicker. Focus on Finding the Right Fit for the Work Culture While skills are undoubtedly an important part of finding the right employees, you don’t want to forget about screening to find someone who fits the job culture. Look for the right attitude and reliability. This can help to avoid high turnover rates. Some people may have the right skills, but may struggle in the work culture, resulting in them leaving even before they really get started. This puts you right back at square one. Work with a Recruiting Firm When you work with a recruiting firm, they will do all of the legwork and only leave you with the best candidates. They’ve checked skills and basic requirements and know who the right fit will be. They will give you these applicants to interview and choose from. Recruiting firms use the most efficient practices to help streamline the hiring process. They can sift through resumes and vet candidates, so your HR team doesn’t get burned out. At Summit Careers, we utilize only the best hiring practices so that our manufacturing clients have a pool of qualified candidates. We are here to get the job done for you so that your HR team is energized to find their next employee. Reach out to us today to learn more!

Why Manufacturing Hiring Is Broken in 2026 and What Employers Can Do About It

January 22, 2026
If you own a manufacturing company and hiring has been anything but successful lately, you’re not alone. Many manufacturing companies are hitting major roadblocks when it comes to finding qualified candidates. While each story may be different, many share the same underlying problems. What’s behind these troubling trends, and what can employers do to reverse them? The Summit Careers team is digging deep to find you answers and help you find the qualified candidates that are in demand right now. Why Manufacturing Hiring is Broken There are several reasons why manufacturing hiring just isn’t what it used to be. Do any of these sound familiar? Skills Gap While candidates may have traditional manufacturing skills, they may not have the digital skills that many manufacturing jobs now require. Many experienced technicians also need to know how to troubleshoot software issues. Fierce Competition The competition is fierce for manufacturing candidates. Many companies are competing with tech facilities for the same workers. Tech giants can offer higher wages and more benefits that are pulling workers away from the traditional manufacturing sector. Changing Demographics Manufacturing jobs were popular with the now aging workforce. As these workers retire, there are fewer people who are fighting to take their place. Statistics show that while nearly 4 million manufacturing jobs are expected to open up by 2033, half of those roles will go unfilled. Just 14% of Gen Z say they would consider industrial work as a career. Workplace Stereotypes Many job seekers may have outdated beliefs about what manufacturing really looks like. While they may assume it entails dark, unmodern factories, they may be unaware that modern manufacturing is clean and efficient. Economic Uncertainty Some companies may not be able to hire the workers they need due to economic uncertainty. This can result in overworked employees and a decrease in production. Ways to Reverse The Trend While this trend in manufacturing hiring is disturbing, there are things that employers can do to improve the situation and help themselves. Offer Better Compensation Manufacturing companies can offer better wages and benefits to compete with tech companies that may have more on the table. If the offer is right, a candidate may choose to work for a smaller company rather than a tech giant. Look to Build Skills Explore internal training that helps employees with both technical and digital skills. This will allow employees to gain the knowledge they need to excel in both areas. Offer Flexible Work Schedules Since those in the manufacturing field can’t work remotely, employers can offer flexible schedules, such as 4-day work weeks. This can help to attract more candidates. Find Ways to Collaborate Work with educational institutions and staffing agencies to find trained workers who have the desired skills and are ready to work. Use Social Media for Authentic Storytelling Reverse the stereotypes that some manufacturing facilities may have by providing authentic storytelling. Use platforms like TikTok and Instagram to provide a behind-the-scenes look at a real manufacturing facility and the people who work there. Provide Referral Incentives Provide incentives for employees if they bring on a candidate who gets hired and stays on the job for a set time. This can help to attract qualified workers and retain the ones you have. Partner with Summit Careers to Find Qualified Candidates If you’re a manufacturing company looking to find qualified candidates, Summit Careers is here to help. We have a growing database of candidates who are looking for jobs just like yours. Contact us today to learn more about our manufacturing staffing program and how you can benefit.

Looking for Work? Find out How Summit Careers Can Help

October 23, 2025
We’ve all been there before: the middle of the night job search scrolling, the relentless application process that ends in ghosting. Many people find job searching a full-time job in itself. Unfortunately, when you’re doing it alone, it can be unrewarding, leaving you unemployed. When you work with Summit Careers, we do the legwork for you. We take the time to find the best job matches, so you don’t have to. Our team is dedicated to getting you on your career path. What do we do and who do we work with? Let’s take a look. How Much Time are You Spending Looking for a Job? First, it’s important to understand just how much time your job search is taking from you. While everyone is different, the tasks are the same. Do these tasks sound familiar? Skimming Through Job Boards Experts find that many people spend more than 3 hours a week just skimming through job boards. This involves reading posts that are irrelevant, otherwise known as, wasting time. Tailoring Resumes and Cover Letters If you’re lucky enough to find a job or two that suits you, you have to tailor your resume and cover letter. This can take another 5 hours or so, depending on the amount of work you have to do and how many jobs you may be applying to. Networking We all know that networking is another excellent resource in the job search, but this takes time. This can be a couple of hours a week as you make calls, write emails and reach out to people in your industry. Interviews When you do get an interest in your resume, it’s time to interview. Whether you’re doing this online or in person, this is also a time-consuming task that can yield zero results. In total, you can expect to spend at least 15 hours a week searching for a job. Yikes! But when you work with an agency like Summit Careers, you can reclaim that time and use it for other tasks. How Working with Summit Careers Saves You Time Here’s how working with Summit Careers makes the job search process easier for you: We Find the Jobs for You We work with companies that have shared their job postings with us because they know we have a pool of qualified candidates. They don’t have to waste their time posting anywhere else because they trust us to find their new hires. We Handle the Correspondence No more stalking your inbox. Our team handles the communications, so you don’t have to worry. We Schedule Interviews Once a match is made, we work to schedule a convenient interview time. Our team has made connections with hiring managers. We have built relationships that help our clients. We handle the logistics so you can concentrate on putting your best foot forward during the interview. Industries We Work With Job seekers enjoy working with Summit Careers because we partner with a wide variety of industries : Manufacturing (machine operation, assembly, quality control, etc.) Distribution (box truck drivers, CDL) Professional Trades (electrician, plumbing, auto mechanic, sheet metal work, welding) Precision Manufacturing (CNC plastics & metals, engineering, deburring, quality control, grinding) Warehousing (shipping & receiving, packers, powered machine operators, inventory control) Administrative (human resources, accounting, payroll, controller) Medical/Dental (non-clinical, nurses, medical/dental assistants, CNAs, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) Schools/Universities (teachers, professors, paraprofessionals, administrators, maintenance, cafeteria workers, chefs, prep cooks) If you’re looking for jobs in any of these fields, it’s time to partner with Summit Careers! Connect with Summit Careers in Your Job Search Summit Careers is here to help you find your next employer! Whether you’re looking for permanent or seasonal work, we can help. Now is the time to apply for seasonal positions, so don’t miss out on your next opportunity. Let us know the type of job you’re looking for and we can connect you with the right companies. Reach out to us today and submit your resume so one of our recruitment consultants can get to work for you!