Land Your Perfect Job With These Interview Tips
Finding a new job can be a nerve-wracking experience. While half the battle lies in finding something that is a good fit for you and your skill set, once you’ve found that perfect position, how do you ensure that you land the gig? The number one thing you can do is make sure you are completely and totally ready to ace the interview process.
Preparing for an interview is of the utmost importance, and it’s something that is often an afterthought. After all, if you have the skills and experience to fit a position, it’s easy to assume that you are ready for the interview. However, it’s important to remember that although you may feel as though you’re the perfect fit for the position, most likely every other person who has qualified to interview feels the same way. It’s vital that you find a way to stand out from the crowd, and interview preparation is what can make all the difference. Below you will find some of the most important tips for landing your next position.
Know Yourself: While it’s important to go into the interview process with a good understanding of the company and position you are interviewing for, it is even more important to know your own personal value and what makes you the best hire for that position. If you can articulate this in a thoughtful and genuine manner you will be ahead of the game. It’s a safe bet that most everyone interviewing for the position is qualified. Your responsibility lies in making the best first impression possible and proving that you are the best fit for the job. Lastly, study your resume, and then study your resume again, you want to be able to clearly and concisely talk about your experience, your history, and your successes.
Be Confident: Throughout the interview process you should take care to always come across as confident, yet never arrogant. Proving to the hiring manager that you have the skills needed for the position and are the best person for the job can easily be done with heart felt and genuine communication. Body language also plays a big part in showing confidence. Be sure to make and maintain eye contact, lead with a good, firm handshake, and keep fidgeting to a minimum. The more poised and in control you seem, the more confident you will come across.
Show Up On Time: Promptness in an interview situation should be a given. Showing up late is never an option. Leave plenty of time for the unexpected, whether it be traffic or difficulty finding a parking spot. Being a few minutes early shows that you are mindful of the time restraints of everyone involved. However, it’s never a good idea to be too early. Hiring managers are very busy and interviews are scheduled at specific times for a reason. Arriving five to ten minutes before your appointment is appropriate and appreciated.
Dress to Impress: Ever heard the saying “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have”? No matter what the company culture and dress code may be, dress professionally for the interview. First impressions are everything, so take pride in your appearance and present yourself as the professional that you are.
Don’t Take Over: Contrary to so much advice about this being given, from my perspective, which is based on real feedback from hundreds of hiring managers over the years, it is not a good thing and often doesn’t go well. Please know that although it’s important to be assertive and confident in your communication throughout the interview, it is just as important to let the hiring manager lead the conversation. Trying to dominate the conversation can leave a bad impression, and most importantly it often doesn’t allow for a good exchange of information. Allow the conversation to flow naturally and you will have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate all of the reasons why you are the person they need to hire.
Ask Thoughtful Questions: At the end of every interview you attend, it is inevitable that you will be asked something along the lines of “Do you have any questions for me?” Preparing for what questions you will ask your prospective employer is just as important as preparing the answers for the questions that will likely be asked of you. Well thought out questions demonstrate that you put time and effort into learning about the company and the position for which you are interviewing. Preparing a list of several questions beforehand is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your interview ends on a positive note. Take a look at this article from Recruiter.com (link to http://www.recruiter.com/i/3-great-questions-to-ask-during-your-interview/ ) for a sample of great questions to ask.
A few more resources for you to review…
http://theundercoverrecruiter.com/interview-preparation-enough/#more-8858
http://www.learnvest.com/2013/05/8-biggest-job-interview-mistakes/?gallery=662#pid-7609_aint-0
All of the above suggestions combined with a qualifying skill set should lead to your most successful interview yet. With years of experience in the recruiting industry and a vast network of professionals, SYNERGISTIC can be a great partner to you in your job search. If you have any questions regarding the interview process or need our assistance in any way, please feel free to leave a comment or reach out to us via our contact page