Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash
I think it is safe to say that most candidates would not claim to be interview experts. Maybe this is because no one knows exactly what to expect when going into their interview. With that being said, there are a few “best practices'' every candidate can follow when preparing for an interview. These pointers are simple but they will have a positive impact on how you are perceived during an interview.
Not too long ago, I had a candidate who was brought in for a final face to face interview only to be passed over for the position. The feedback from the hiring manager was that the candidate arrived at the interview without a notebook (and a pen). While I know the absence of a notebook was not the sole reason the client decided to pass on this candidate, it made enough of an impact to be the first piece of feedback provided by the hiring manager. This was a qualified candidate competing with someone of the same caliber, so, in some cases, these little details make the difference!
Below are a few basic interview tips I would like to share when interviewing for ANY position:
Do your research: Check out the company, their background, mission, and thoroughly read the job description. During the interview, you can advocate for yourself using the information on the company and position that relates to you. Doing your research builds credibility, shows the interviewer your interest, and allows for a more in depth conversation about the role.
Come prepared: This may be specific to the position you are applying for. If you are interviewing in-person, it’s best to show up early and bring something to take notes with. To show that you are interested and engaged, always have questions for the interviewer. If you have a virtual interview, make sure you are able to access the application you will be using for the interview (Google Meets, Skype, Zoom, etc.). Often we have candidates who have trouble logging into the interview, or getting their sound/video to work. If needed, your recruiter can do a trial run with you prior to your interview!
Dress to impress: While it might be overkill to show up in a suit for a role that requires fieldwork, recognize that you can only help your candidacy if you take it up a notch regarding your professional appearance.
These are just a few broad interview tips that I’m sure you’ve seen before but they are worth sharing again and again. Do your best not to overlook them.
Keep in mind that recruiters are always available to help prepare our candidates for each interview. Every interview and every hiring manager is different but start with the basics and go from there!
Written by: Emily Onheiser, Senior Search Consultant at Hunter Crown, LLC
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