Are you preparing for an interview? Wondering what will make you stand out and nervous about what they are going to ask? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered! Read on for facts and tips about interviews and how best to prepare for them!
Know who you are applying for
Whenever you are applying for a company and receive that exciting phone call or email that they would like to proceed with an interview you should then do your research. Research the company, know their mission statement, and understand the entire scope of the job for which you applied. You want to be as prepared and knowledgeable as you can. This will help to make you stand out and will help you to feel more confident and comfortable during the interview. Remember, do what you can. It will show that you really do want the job. But, it is still okay to ask questions during the interview. You do not have to know every little detail. Which brings me to my next point.
Ask Questions
Yes an interview is so they can question you but the golden rule is to never leave an interview without asking at least one question. They want to have a conversation more than they want to sit there and ask question after question with one sentence responses. It is a balance. Do not take over the conversation and answer with an appropriate couple of sentences. But also make it an interactive conversation and ask questions of your own. You can ask during the interview, when appropriate, or you can save it for the end. It all depends on how the interview is going. Here are some sample questions you can ask:
- Can you elaborate on the day-to-day responsibilities this job entails?
- Where do you see this company moving towards in the next five years?
- What is the most important thing this position could do to help within the next 3 months?
Read these for more questions to ask in an interview:
Dress the Part
How you should dress will depend on the position and company in which you are interviewing for. Is it for a teaching position? Or are you applying to work for a construction company? You want to look professional and fitting for the job. It is always better to over dress than to under dress!
Be sure to have neat hair and no open toed shoes. Aside from that the clothes will depend on the job. If you are applying to work in an office it is probably best to dress business professional or business casual. If you are applying to work outside all day it may be okay to wear a nice pair of jeans and a nice, appropriate shirt.
One trick is to look at the company’s website and find pictures of those who work there, or any company pictures in general and make an executive decision based off of what they are wearing. And then maybe take it one step higher.
Read below for more tips on how to dress for your interview:
Arrive early and know your route
My golden rule is to be at least 5-10 minutes early to an interview. This is where your first in-person impression begins. Even if you are not greeted by the person who will be interviewing, they will be aware of when you showed up. It is the professional and responsible thing to do. It shows that you are prepared, ready, and as previously stated, responsible. Everyone wants to hire someone who is responsible so make sure to arrive before your interview slot.
Another helpful tip is to make the route to your destination before the day of your interview. This ensures you know where you are going and how to get there. This will also allow you to judge how long it will take you to get there and when to leave. Preparation is the key subject here. Prepare your route, prepare to be there early, and then give yourself time to relax and breathe.
Now it is time to relax. Take a deep breathe and look the person interviewing you in the eye. Stay confident and if you do not have an answer to a question right away say “that is a good question. Can I have a moment to think it over?”. You have done your homework, you are confident, you are prepared and you will do great. Good luck!
By: Amanda Overy, Marketing Intern