The interview is the BIG SHOW. It is the most important aspect of applying for a job. Interviews are the time when the employer really looks at you and usually makes a final decision. Some companies use more than one interview in their process, with a shortlist followed by a panel or senior manager interview.
In my experience, most of the decision is made in the first interview, so you have to get it right.
A good interview can make up for a week’s worth of resume or lack of experience, but no resume or experience will EVER make up for a bad interview.
Tips for a highly successful interview:
1. Prepare your answers – Write down all the relevant skills and abilities that you know the employer is looking for with concise but compelling examples of when you have demonstrated them to great results. These can match what’s on your resume, but you should have some that don’t match so the interviewer gets new information at the interview. Always be prepared for standard interview questions, as well as:
– Why do you want this job?
– Tell me about your greatest strength and your greatest weakness.
– What makes you the best candidate for this job?
– What are your salary requirements? (Never answer with a specific number, you may close the door on a job you would have loved with a breakthrough. You can negotiate or decline later if the salary is below expectations.)
2.Practice – Practice the interview with a friend. Ask them to mix up the questions, follow up, and add some you haven’t prepared for. This will inevitably happen on the day of the interview and it is much better to get nervous ahead of time and get it out of your system.
3. Prepare your questions – Asking good questions is just as important as having good answers. Interviewers look for candidates who have researched the company and are discerning the work they will do. Here are some great areas to ask:
The corporate address of the company, the performance of recent acquisitions, etc.
Details of the work that are not explicit in the application: number of direct reports, scope of work, progress of the commercial team this year, organizational structure, etc.
Off-limits topics are: Salary, vacation days, disciplinary policy, scandals.
4. Be enthusiastic but sincere – Many recruiters see hundreds of applicants a day. A bright smile and energetic disposition can go a long way in being remembered.
5. Be proud of your achievements – Sell yourself! Now is not the time for shyness or humility. Talk about what YOU have personally accomplished. Avoid talking about the accomplishments of your former co-workers or teams. They are not being considered for this job, you are!
6. Dress for success and be well groomed – Get a book on this if you have any questions. It is always safe for men to wear a suit and women to wear a pantsuit or conservative skirt/blouse. Avoid body piercings (other than ears in women) or any visible tattoos. If you need a haircut, get one!
7. If you have family, find a way to weave information about them into the interview: Although all large companies practice equal opportunity in hiring, research indicates that, in general, most managers with a stable family are dependent and productive at work. Although a recruiter may not ask about her personal life, he or she will look for clues about her. If you already have a healthy home life, build that into your interview answers. If not, get to work on it. Peace at home can be a great enabler for success at work. A great resource for parents is: [http://www.parentingskills21stcentury.com]
8. Be early –If you don’t arrive at least 5 minutes early, you are late. DO NOT have the interviewer come looking for you. Show them that you know their time is valuable.
9. Follow up with a thank you note or email – I have hired people because they were the ones who sent a thank you note. Thanking an interviewer before hearing the decision or after a rejection shows a level of maturity that most companies value. It also shows that you’re good at following up. An applicant who sends a thank you note is an employee who does not leave work unfinished.