So you’ve mastered the resume! How wonderful and now you have an interview, even better! Congratulations! You have now reached where everyone wants to go. If you’re preparing for your next interview, take a look at our top 10 interview tips. I can’t guarantee your success in getting the job, but it can help you stand out from the crowd.
Basic tips for interviews
1. Arrive on time or early
It should be noted that this shouldn’t be on the list, except that the HR folks tell me all the time that their candidates are late. Just remember that it’s better to show up early and wait for the hiring manager than to show up late and have them wait for you. If necessary, please be sure to arrive 15 minutes early. While I was in the service, if I didn’t arrive 15 minutes early, I was already late. I have to admit that this has carried over into my career. I even show up early for conference calls. I’ve worked for people who laugh while I’m on the phone waiting for the meeting to start!
2. Dress for success
Dressing for successful interviews doesn’t have to mean boring. There are some tips on how to dress for the occasion, but for me there are only a couple of real points to remember.
- Wear a jacket (Yes men, you should wear a tie, preferably not hooked)
- Wear something someone can comment on and ask questions about, like an interesting piece of jewelry or a tie clip. Also check out what the hiring manager is wearing, maybe they also have a piece of identification that can help you start a conversation and build a connection.
3. Bring copies of your resume
Although most companies will send your resume to the hiring manager because they’re through an automated talent system, they can be difficult to read, so be sure to bring a clean resume that includes a cover letter. If you have more than one interviewer and you know their names, make sure the cover letter is addressed to the hiring manager you’re interviewing with. If they don’t tell you their names before or you only have one name, put the only name you have. But if they don’t, put To Whom It May Concern.
4. Make eye contact
Establishing good eye contact during an interview can make all the difference in successfully landing a job. Your eyes serve as a window into your confidence, level of interest, and professionalism in an interview. Maintaining good eye contact during the interview doesn’t exactly mean looking at the hiring manager the entire time. It should seem natural and friendly so that you can look away from time to time. If you get intimidated or distracted by looking into his eyes, you can look at his forehead.
5. Use non-verbal language
From the initial handshake to your smile, posture, and eye contact during the interview, the way you present yourself nonverbally plays a crucial role in how the hiring manager judges your interest and enthusiasm for the job. Be courteous and be yourself. The default facial expression for a job interview would be your smile. Your handshake should be firm, but not crushing. Once the hiring manager invites you to take a seat, sit up straight and try to sit slightly toward the edge of the chair to appear anxious. If you want to get back to basics, check out this Quint Careers article on basic interview tips.
Top tips for interviews
6. Have you done your research?
Research, research, research and let me stress Research. You will meet the hiring manager and hopefully meet other people you would interview with.
Hiring Manager Research
The first order of business is to make sure you look them up on LinkedIn. Check out this article on how to research a hiring manager before an interview. Next, you need to search for them on Facebook and Google+.
- Find out if you have common hobbies or interests
- If you can befriend them on LinkedIn to check your connections and see if you have anyone in common
- See if you have a common Alma issue or a competitive one, each can create a bond that makes the interview more successful.
- See if they have prior military service (All veterans are proud of their service)
- Check and if they have won any prizes.
Investigating the Company
Be sure to research the company as well so you can show off your newfound knowledge.
- Look at their company website.
- Check trade magazines and industry news. Set up Google Alerts, this will send you a notification if they are in the news.
- If it’s a public company, go to Yahoo Finance or Google Finance and check out their quarterly earnings report. This can be helpful when answering questions and can even help you figure out the best questions to ask.
7. Bring questions!
Remember that the questions you ask will determine what your culture is like. Also, the hiring manager will be the person you work with. What their attitude is will also define how you interact with them in the future. Remember that you can refer to your notes, so write down any questions you want to ask beforehand.
8. Take some notes
You’ve already done a lot of research, but you’ll discover a lot more as you go through the interview. Take note! I had an interview with the hiring manager and she brought up the fact that I didn’t take notes. I think she wanted to make sure that she was paying attention and even basically tested me during the interview. I didn’t get the job offer but I passed the test. I always thought it might be because she didn’t take notes. Well, I’ll always wonder about that…
9. Ask questions
Putting the above questions together, you’ll hear clues about how the culture works, what the hiring manager wants, and what’s most important to them. Listen carefully and you can almost guarantee that you will find the right questions to ask. Look for keywords like “I need someone who is organized.” Pay attention to the questions, usually the answer is right in front of you.
10 Closing of the interview and follow-up
Be sure to get cards/email address to write thank you notes. I always ask for a card because you’ll want to follow up with a thank you note, either by post or email. If you don’t get one from each person, call the Recruiter and ask. If you still can’t get that, the next best way is to look at the recruiter’s email address to see what their email is and then. Be sure to send the email or thank you note within 24 hours. Don’t delay as you want to be on their minds while you make the decision. Too late and the decision will be made without you.
Good luck in your job search!