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!

The 5 Roles You'll Be Scrambling to Fill This Fall—And How to Hire Smarter Now

August 21, 2025
As we look ahead to fall, many companies will be busy trying to fill vacancies. While the job market is constantly shifting, there are a few areas that are expected to stand out, leaving companies scrambling to find qualified workers. If you want to get ahead, it’s important to be aware of which positions are expected to be most competitive so you can adopt smarter hiring strategies. The 5 Most In-Demand Roles This Fall Healthcare Professionals The demand for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and health service managers continues to soar. An aging population and an increased need for quality care are the driving forces. These roles are expected to be in clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities to maintain high standards of patient care. Machine Learning Specialists Businesses are expected to be looking for professionals who can implement AI-powered solutions. These specialists are needed to develop and integrate everything from automated customer service chatbots to complex data analysis models. Cybersecurity Specialists As businesses become more reliant on digital infrastructure, the risk of cyber threats grows. Cybersecurity specialists, including information security analysts and engineers, are in high demand to protect sensitive data, prevent breaches, and ensure the integrity of a company's systems. Data Scientists and Analysts Companies need experts who can make sense of all the data being generated these days. Data scientists and analysts are vital for extracting meaningful insights from complex datasets to inform business decisions, optimize operations, and predict market trends. Skilled Trades and Green Economy Workers There's a persistent demand for skilled tradespeople, and a new wave of growth is being driven by the green economy. Roles like solar installers and wind turbine service technicians are experiencing rapid growth as companies and governments invest in renewable energy projects. How to Work Smarter, Not Harder, When it Comes to Hiring The traditional hiring process won't cut it when competing for top talent. You need a strategy that's both efficient and appealing to modern job seekers. Prioritize Skills Over Degrees Focus on critical skills over degree requirements. A skills-based approach widens your talent pool and allows you to find qualified individuals who may have gained experience through alternative paths, such as bootcamps, online courses, or on-the-job training. Embrace Flexibility and Employee Wellness Work balance is more important than ever. To attract and retain top talent, consider offering flexible work arrangements like remote or hybrid options. Highlighting robust health and wellness benefits, including mental health support, can also make you stand out in a competitive market. Build a Strong Talent Pipeline Proactively build relationships with passive candidates through networking and employee referral programs rather than waiting for a position to open. A robust talent pipeline ensures you're never scrambling for a hire, as you'll already have a pool of qualified individuals to draw from. A strong employer brand that showcases your company's culture and values on social media and career pages is also crucial for attracting long-term interest. Highlight Technology and Data Use technology to streamline your recruitment process. AI-powered tools can help automate tasks such as resume screening and interview scheduling. This gives your HR team more time to focus on meaningful interactions with candidates. You’ll also want to use recruitment analytics to identify trends and measure the effectiveness of your hiring sources. Do You Need Help Filling Roles this Fall? Contact Summit Careers If you need help filling vacancies this fall, Summit Careers is here to help. We have a growing database of candidates who are looking for jobs just like yours. You can count on us to use the most efficient practices to fill vacancies quickly. Contact us today to learn more.

From Vacancy to Velocity: How Fast Ancillary Hiring Drives Student Success

July 23, 2025
When you think about what contributes to a student’s success, it extends well beyond the classroom. Besides faculty members who work with students inside the classroom, many other staff members are needed for a student to be successful and well-rounded. This is why filling these positions is so vital. When these positions remain vacant for too long, the daily workflow can get disrupted, impeding a student’s success. At Summit Careers, our team is committed to filling vacant ancillary staff positions as soon as possible so that schools and universities can continue working at their fullest potential. Let’s take a closer look at how ancillary hiring truly drives student success. Contributing to Student Success: The Benefits of Filling Ancillary Vacancies Supportive Learning Environment When ancillary vacancies are filled, students can receive the supportive learning environment that they deserve. Ancillary staff, such as counselors, mentors, tutors, and others, can allow students to receive help that may not be available inside the classroom. Without the hard work of these individuals, students may lack the guidance they need to succeed. Reduce Teacher Workload It takes a village to teach a child. Much of that village can come from the help of ancillary staff members who can take some of the workload off of teachers. By doing so, teachers can focus more on teaching each child and giving them the attention they deserve. Improved Student Well-Being When we think of school staff, we may automatically think about teachers and teaching aides. But, staff members such as school nurses and guidance counselors can ensure that a student’s health and well-being are taken care of. When a student is not healthy physically or mentally, they will not be able to reach their fullest potential. But when a student is feeling well physically and in a good emotional and mental state, they have the energy and tools they need to reach for the stars. Besides nurses and guidance counselors, janitors and school cleaning staff are also vital to a student’s success because they help to maintain a sanitary learning environment. If a student is surrounded by a dirty learning environment, they are at a greater risk of becoming ill. Sickness results in lost classroom time that can negatively impact a student’s success. Technical Support We all know how much everyone relies on technology these days, especially in schools. Many lessons are available online only, and assignments are completed online. When something goes wrong on the technical side, it can impact learning. By hiring the right technical support staff, you can feel confident that you have the right people in place to spring into action when a technical problem arises. Technical support can help to fix problems before they become catastrophes that can severely impact daily operations. Social Development Social development can also contribute to a student’s success. Being involved in school clubs and activities allows students to meet others and expand their social circles. Staff who work to plan activities and coach sports play an important part in a student’s life. These staff members help students to foster their social skills, which allows them to become well-rounded individuals. Bridge Communication Gaps Communication is key when it comes to a student’s learning path. Support staff can serve as liaisons between teachers, administrators, and students. By fostering greater communication, these support staff members can contribute to a student’s success. Let Summit Careers Fill Your Ancillary Staff Vacancies Now If you have vacancies for ancillary staff members, Summit Careers is here to help. We have a growing database of candidates who are looking for jobs just like yours. We use the most efficient practices so that we can fill vacancies quickly. Contact us today and learn how we can work together to fill your vacancies and help students succeed.

The Hidden Backbone of Higher Ed: Why Your Next Great Hire Isn’t a Professor

June 26, 2025
When you think about the staff needed to run a university, your employee list extends well beyond professors. There is a hidden backbone of higher education…academic support staff, janitors, cashiers, and more that are essential to having a university system that runs efficiently. These non-faculty staff should not be overlooked because of the vital services they offer daily. As we take a closer look at the benefits these staff members bring, you can see why filling these vacancies now is more important than ever. The Importance of Non-Faculty Staff in Higher Education When we talk about non-faculty staff, we’re talking about a variety of positions. Let’s take a look at what these include and why they’re so important. Academic & Student Staff Positions Non-academic staff like counselors, advisors, and financial aid officers are necessary because they help students secure the right financial aid and navigate the many challenges that surround college life. Without these staff members, students would be lost when it comes to course selection, financial aid, and even work-study options. IT Staff We all know the importance of technology staff in higher education. Without people to troubleshoot computer and technical problems, many universities and the students they serve would be lost. Janitors & Food Service Staff Janitors and food service staff are crucial to making a university run smoothly. Without a staff of dedicated workers to maintain the university and its grounds, it won’t have the curb appeal that is essential for students to want to come to the school. This can hurt school enrollment and have damaging effects. Food service staff are just as important. Without them, students would not receive the meals they need. This includes cooks and cashiers. These roles can’t be vacant because, without them, students would not be able to eat on campus. Security Officers A college university without security officers is unsafe and will not appeal to any incoming students. Having qualified security officers is vital to maintain the safety of the campus and everyone on it. Background checks on these officers are important to ensure that they are safe for the job. Event Coordinators College events help to make college life fun for students. Event coordinators know how to plan gatherings that will draw students in and bring excitement to the campus. This helps to maintain a positive campus culture and to draw in new students, both of which are important to a thriving college campus. Student Life Staff Residence life coordinators and similar staff members are also an important part of the staffing puzzle at any university campus. These staff members ensure that students have what they need in their residence halls. They work to make sure that students are safe and help them have a positive experience. Administrative Specialists These staff members support academic departments, giving them the help they need to provide a quality education to students. Research Associates Many people don’t realize the importance of research associates. A research associate works under a faculty member to collect and analyze data, design experiments, and contribute to the development of grant proposals and research publications. Coaches Coaches are also an important part of the university staff. These staff members lead different sports teams year-round. Having people who are qualified and experienced can truly elevate a university’s athletic program. As you can see, there is a variety of staff members needed to make higher education a success. If you are looking to fill these types of roles, Summit Careers can help . We receive resumes daily from people looking to fill these roles in higher education. Let us match you with your next hire so that you can have an experienced and committed employee on your team. Reach out to us today to learn more!