If you’ve been invited to interview, congratulations! Considering how saturated the job market is these days, this is a huge accomplishment. Take a second to celebrate this win, then buckle down and prepare for the big day. It’s crucial to stand out – so take some time and utilize these tips to prove to your interviewers why you’re the best person for the job.
Know Yourself
This may seem self-explanatory, but you shouldn’t hesitate or need to think about your past experiences. It’s important to know your resume and make your accomplishments quantifiable. By allowing your interviewers to visualize and measure the contributions you’ve made, they can envision the impact you’ll create within their company.
Identify your key strengths and weaknesses. The strength/weakness question is infamous, but interviewers want to know where you excel. When asked about your weaknesses, they want to see how self-aware you are and if you’re actively doing anything to improve upon these weaknesses. As long as your weakness doesn’t directly align with a key skill or trait they require, they’ll be appreciative of your honesty and dedication to bettering yourself.
Be able to explain why you want the job. What key attributes, roles, or skills do you identify with? Recruiters want potential candidates to be enthusiastic and have a passion that aligns with the job description and company’s mission.
Prepare answers for common interview questions. It’s good to anticipate questions and practice your responses out loud. By practicing, you can ensure a thorough response without becoming “long winded.” Be sure to concisely provide context behind your answer, explain the action you took, and what the result was. This will give your interviewers a full picture of your experience.
Research the Company
It’s important to do your homework on the company. In addition to understanding their mission, products, and values, check them out on social media. Here you’ll get a feel of the company culture along with any news updates or announcements. Mentioning a recent change or congratulating them on a big accomplishment shows that you have prepared, and you’re excited about what they’re up to.
If you know who is interviewing you, look them up on LinkedIn. You may find a connection between you two. At the very least, you can see their career path and what they’re interested in.
Logistics
To avoid being late or feeling rushed, look up the company’s location, anticipate traffic, and allow for extra time so you can arrive early.
Know what you’re wearing the night before. Choose a professional outfit that you feel confident in. If you’re unsure what the dress code is, it’s always better to overdress.
Bring a hard copy of prepared questions for your interviewers. It’s good to have this as a reference, so you don’t forget anything you want to ask.
Finally, bring a few copies of your resume, pen and paper to take notes, and a portfolio (if applicable) to show off your work.
Your interview is an opportunity to showcase your skills and demonstrate how you can be an asset to the company. If you prepare well, have confidence, and stay positive, there is no doubt that you will ace your interview. For you, the hard part is over, and hopefully you become the easy choice for the hiring manager. Good luck!
Originally from North Carolina, David’s career path has taken many twists and turns throughout his life. He has pursued professional photography in the film industry, managed fine dining restaurants, and has excelled in technology and healthcare staffing. Throughout each endeavor, however, David has focused on helping others and making the world around him better for it.
