Most people probably wouldn’t say yes to a marriage proposal, or make any kind of commitment to someone they didn’t know, regardless of how good they looked on paper. The same thing goes for trying to find a new job. You probably won’t get an offer just based on your resume, as important as it may be. One of the most important parts to finding a new job is the interviewing process. Today we will be covering tips and recommendations that will help you nail your interview and land your dream job.
After you have applied for a job, and have secured yourself an interview, there are a few things you need to do and consider before the actual interview.
Research the company and position. If a company is hiring, odds are you aren’t going to be the only person to apply, so you have to do everything you can to stand out and show why you are the best candidate. Look into the company, the industry, what their main source of revenue is, their mission statement, anything that might be important. This information will more than likely be on their website. This information will be important by showing that you have interest in the position and company. This will help you learn about the company’s culture and their main values. It will allow you to make adjustments to your resume to make sure it highlights your experience related to the job you are applying for.
Review your resume and make sure you have specifics and supporting information to “back up” your resume when questions arise. The person asking the questions won’t know anything about you, so make sure you are prepared to give related information.
Wear appropriate clothing, if you are unsure of the dress code reach out to your contact and just ask so you can be prepared!
Look up interview questions related to the position so you are able to practice and prepare.
Once you have everything in order and have done as much preparation as you can, and you are comfortable, it is time for the interview!
Make sure you know where you are going, and arrive a little early, making a first impression is very important.
Be prepared to summarize your experience in under a minute, and express what you can bring to the table.
Listen diligently to the asked questions so you are able to provide a direct answer to the question being asked. Try your best to express the skills and knowledge you have. And if you are unsure of what is being asked, ask them to restate the question.
Remain positive, and never express negative history from previous employment.
Make sure you are engaged the whole time, and be mindful of your tone and body language.
If it is appropriate, take light notes during the interviews if certain topics seem more important than others.
Ask questions yourself too! There will probably be a point in the interview where they ask if you have any questions for them. Most people will say no or only have one or two directly reflecting something discussed in the interview. You can make yourself stand out by having a list of questions prepared. Some of the questions that can help make you stand out, and be memorable are…
What makes your best employee stand out?
What is the vision for the company? Is there a timeline for this?
Is there anything about me you are unsure about? If so, I would like to address any concerns you may have.
What is the department size and structure for this position? Who will I be directly working with?
What is the feedback system like? Is there an opportunity for 1 on 1 feedback meetings to discuss how to better my performance?
Is there anything you would recommend for the time being that I can do to improve my skill set for this position in the meantime or for the future?
After the interview is over, make sure you provide any requested additional information. If this is not asked of you, you may try to send out work examples or references as well if they might be beneficial.
After the interview is completed, they might give you some sort of time frame in terms of when they will be in contact with you again to follow up, if not giving them at least 5 business days is reasonable for both parties to reach back out for a follow up. With any luck you will be offered the position, will receive a start date and you are good to go!