We’re doing a lot of hiring right now, so that means reading through piles of resumes and scheduling a variety of interviews. The process has taught us that some of you need advice before you find yourself sitting across from an Ardent interviewer. We’re here to help make the process better for you and, by default, for us. This is a great place to work. The culture here is something we’ve worked hard to achieve. So we understand why you want to work with us, but there are just some things that are deal breakers. This is your cheat sheet. These questions will be on the test. You’re welcome in advanc

TIP 1 — SHOW UP TO THE INTERVIEW ON TIME

Yep. It’s a “duh!” tip, but it’s here because somebody exhibited the “duh!” Look, we understand that life isn’t always predictable. Some things are outside your control. However, if you have lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for any length of time, you know that traffic and construction can cause delays. Plan accordingly. Also allow yourself enough time for your preferred maps app to mislead you. It happens more often than you realize. Don’t add to the stress of an interview by cutting your travel time too close. And don’t be afraid to call if you get lost. Communication is key.

TIP 2 — NAIL YOUR INTRODUCTION

You took the time to comb your hair and iron your clothes, but appearance isn’t the only part of a first impression. A firm handshake communicates confidence. Good eye contact makes you seem trustworthy. A friendly smile invites people to begin a relationship with you, if only for a few minutes.

TIP 3 — SHOW SOME PERSONALITY

Now that you know how to nail the introduction, let the interview itself be a place to show your personality. Yes, there is something to be said for acting professionally, but professionals have personality, too. It’s okay for the interview to flow more like a conversation than an interrogation.

Don’t be a robotic interviewee who responds predictably to a Q&A format. Mix things up a bit. Let us actually get to know you.

TIP 4 — KNOW WHAT JOB YOU’RE APPLYING FOR

This should be a no-brainer, but… This isn’t fake news, it’s a job. Read more than just the headline; read the entire job description. Ask yourself if it’s something you can do. If you can’t, don’t waste your time applying. If your thought process is something along the lines of, “I’ll figure it out once I get hired,” you probably need to re-evaluate.

TIP 5 — BE FAMILIAR WITH THE COMPANY

When you walk into our office to interview for a job, we expect you to have a general idea about what we do here. Do your homework ahead of time. (Although, if you’re reading this, we’re probably preaching to the choir because you’re already doing your homework.) Read through the website to better understand our company.

TIP 6 — DON’T OVERSELL YOUR SKILLS

Be honest about what you do or don’t know. Sometimes we’re willing to train folks in certain things, but we’re not willing to be deceived. The way you answer some of our questions will let us know how familiar you are with what we’re talking about. In other words, our BS detectors work well.

TIP 7 — BE READY FOR SOME UNUSUAL QUESTIONS

We are notorious for asking questions that seem to have nothing to do with the job you apply for. On the surface they just seem like ice breakers. In reality, they tell us a lot about how you’ll fit with the rest of the team and how you handle certain situations. It’s also a great opportunity for you to show some personality like we talked about earlier.

TIP 8 — REMEMBER THAT AN INTERVIEW IS SIMPLY A CONVERSATION BETWEEN TWO OR MORE PEOPLE

The people sitting on the other side of the table are people, too. Just because interviewing feels like torture doesn’t mean the people interviewing you enjoy watching people suffer. We like people and want to spend the interview time getting to know you as a person, not just a potential employee.

TIP 9 — COME PREPARED WITH YOUR OWN QUESTIONS

Employment is a two-way relationship. A job interview is a chance for you to interview the company to see whether or not you want to work there. At the end of the interview, when we ask if you have any questions, it’s good for you to have at least one or two. It shows that you care enough about the position to think about it and that you have taken the initiative to analyze how you might fit into the equation. What do you want to know about the job or company that wasn’t clearly explained in the job description, on the website, or in the interview?

We’ve done what we can to help. The rest is up to you. If you’re interested in joining our team, use those tips to apply for these jobs. (Bonus tip: have someone proofread your resume’ before you upload it.)