Whether you’re going to a job fair or an interview, it’s important to be prepared, polished, and professional. Research tells us that getting a job is 70% presentation and 30% actual skills. Knowing that, I’ve put together the following nine tips:
1. Do your homework before the interview. Did you know that job seekers spend thirty hours searching for a job to get each interview and only one hour preparing for the interview? Before your interview, research the company as thoroughly as possible. Annual reports, websites, and trade and business magazines are excellent resources. Be able to articulate which company properties appeal to you and why you want to work there. What is your culture? Where is the company going? Be able to show that you have some knowledge of the industry. Research the competition too. What are the hot spots in the industry? Every industry has its “language”. Make an effort to learn some of the industry-specific phrases and terms.
2. Review and become familiar with your resume. It’s awkward for everyone when interviewing managers ask a candidate about responsibilities in a previous position and the candidate has to rack their brains trying to remember what they did on the job. It’s easy to forget the details of previous positions he’s held, especially if it’s been a long time since he’s been in that position. However, if he is on your resume, he is fair game for discussion. Familiarize yourself with everything there and make sure you have a few success stories for each position you’ve held.
3. (Even if you don’t feel like it) carry yourself with confidence. When meeting an interviewer, make a great first impression. Stand up straight, smile, make eye contact, and shake hands firmly. When you sit down, keep your hands in your lap. Nervous people tend to make wild gestures. Also, remember to use your active listening skills. That means, if appropriate, take notes, lean forward, and nod to show you’re listening. All this gives an air of confidence.
4. Don’t ramble. Due to nervousness, candidates tend to talk too much. Sometimes they’re not sure how to answer a question, so they just dive in somewhere; this is not a good tactic. Before answering a tough interview question, take a few seconds to collect your thoughts so you can give a clear and concise answer that highlights your skills. If the interviewer wants more information, she will ask a follow-up question. Whenever appropriate, use quantifiable data rather than vague generalizations.
5. Identify and reiterate your strengths, especially if they align with the job description. Before the interview, create an inventory of your experiences, skills, and talents on paper. Next, carefully examine the job description or posting. Where do your skills line up with him? Take note of them and during the interview be sure to highlight how your skills and talents make you a good fit for the position.
6. Ask questions during the interview. Make every interview an interesting business conversation, not an awkward interrogation. Asking thoughtful questions is a great way to demonstrate understanding of the company and the industry. Show your interest in the position and work to uncover important information to determine if there is a good culture fit between you and the company. At the end of the interview, don’t be afraid to ask what the next steps are, the more specific the better. Finally, collect business cards from each interviewer.
7. Be prepared to answer the question, “What is your greatest weakness?” This question is a recruiter’s favorite question. It can reveal a lot about a candidate. So get ready to answer it. Conventional advice recommends that you declare your weakness as a strength. “I work too much”, “I’m too demanding on myself”, “I’m a perfectionist”, are quite typical and transparent answers. Try a more thoughtful answer that really highlights your skills. For example, “Although I have strong Word and Power Point skills, I feel my Excel skills are not as strong as I would like. I am currently enrolled in a night class at the community college.” Then follow up with a statement showing how you will use your new skills. “I know I’ll be able to use my new Excel skills in this role to help me with spreadsheets and charts.” Finally, follow up with a question like “Would you like me to explain any of my other computer skills?”
8. Dress well. It is important to polish all aspects of your appearance. Demonstrate your level of professionalism and commitment. Either it says “executive,” or it doesn’t. Invest in your appearance and you will feel great! Buy some interview suits that can be mixed and matched later for less formal wear, and have them tailored to fit you well. Always wear a suit to an interview, even if the culture you’re interviewing in is casual. Remember to keep your jewelry and accessories low key. You want them to hear what you say, not what you’re wearing. Carry a briefcase or a bag, not both. Backpacks are never a good idea.
9. Follow up right away. Follow up with a thank you to each interviewer and clearly express your interest in the position. Try to use details. If you forgot to mention something in the interview, you can add it to the note. After a week, if you haven’t heard from the company, call the hiring manager and reiterate your interest in the opening. Ask if you can provide additional information to help them make their decision.