How to Prepare for Success
When you receive a notification that you’ve been selected for a job interview, you can often be flooded with emotions and not think very clearly. But remember, you potential employer has only seen the paper version of you. From this point, the job is yours to lose if you are not prepared for it.
Now, as with any other aspect in life, you should approach this or any situation with as much information as possible. When you get that call for the interview, this should be the moment that you start to review the company history as much as possible. The interviewer is looking to see how well you have prepared for the interview process.
Read here about how self-promotion on social media can create work opportunities for you.
Important Steps to Take
Researching the company’s mission statement, their competitors, and how you think the company should be moving forward is a good start. Do your best to arrive on time for the interview, and in fact, showing up a little bit early can show great initiative. Remember, you are not the only one interviewing for the opening, and you need to ensure that you’re setting yourself apart from the rest of the interviewees. It’s important to be personable and do everything you can, such as getting to know the people in the office – even the receptionist potentially has a say in whether or not you will be hired there!
Another important tactic is investing some time in practicing how you will react to interview questions designed to knock you out of your prepared mental state. Your body language will respond first before you reply. Take some time, sit in front of a mirror and see how you react to certain questions. Your body language will have a lot to play during the interview as they are looking to see what mental state you are in during the interview. The perfect interview should be akin to a smooth, relaxed conversation between two people.
Getting to know your interviewer can also be beneficial, and a good opportunity for you to ask a few questions of your own. Ask them what drew them to this company, how long they’ve worked there, and what qualities they’re looking for in an applicant – their answers may surprise you!
Be Assertive and Take Responsibility
Perhaps out of the effort to be polite, some usually assertive candidates become overly passive during job interviews. It’s important to recognize that politeness doesn’t equal passivity. An interview is like any other conversation – it’s a dance in which you and a partner move together, both responding to the other. Don’t make the mistake of just sitting there waiting for the interviewer to ask you a question – it’s your responsibility to make sure they walk away knowing your key selling points.
Use the Right Body Language.
Dress appropriately, make eye contact, give a firm handshake, have good posture, speak clearly, and don’t wear perfume or cologne. Interviews are often conducted in small rooms that may lack good air circulation. You want the interviewer paying attention to your job qualifications, not getting distracted or irritated from your artificial scent.
Send Thank-You Notes
Write a thank-you note after every interview. Type each note and/or send them by email, depending on the interviewers’ preferences. Customize your notes by referring specifically to what you and the interviewer discussed; for example, “I was particularly excited about [or interested by, or glad to hear] what you said about …” Handwritten notes might be better if you’re thanking a personal contact for helping you in your job search, or if the company you’re interviewing with is based in Europe. Whatever method you choose, notes should be sent within 48 hours of the interview.
To write a good thank-you note, you’ll need to take time after each interview to jot down a few things about what the interviewer said. Also, write down what you could have done better in the interview, and make adjustments before you head off for your next interview.
Written by Leon Alexander RPI Consulting Group Inc. 416.850.9809 (ext. 317)
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