Interview Tips
- Research the Company and Role: Understand the company’s mission, values, culture, and the specifics of the role you’re applying for. Companies want to hire candidates that both understand and align with their values, and who understand and support their mission.
- Review the Job Description: Read the job description and determine how your experience and skills align with it. For the responsibilities section, use experiences from your current or past roles that showcase your ability to perform the job well.
- Prepare for Behavioral Interview Questions: These types of questions usually start with, ‘Tell me about a time when…’ the idea here is that the interviewer wants to hear examples from your experience that will show them that you can handle specific situations the job might call for.
- Prepare Your Own Questions: Have a list of questions ready to ask the interviewer. This shows your interest in the role and passion for the company. Good questions can be about the team, the company culture, and how the interviewer ended up at the company and what they enjoy about their role.
- Dress Appropriately: Choose an outfit that is professional and suitable for the company’s culture. If your interview is virtual, dress as you would if it were in person. Also, if virtual use a professional virtual background.
- Bring Necessary Documents: Bring multiple copies of your resume, a list of references, and any other documents that might support your application, such as portfolio links to sites that showcase your work or certificates that you have obtained.
- Develop Your Employment Story: Create your employment story that is in alignment with the requirements and responsibilities of the job. Practice it t ensure you can consistently tell it in a positive light.
- Practice Good Non-Verbal Communication: Pay attention to your body language. Practice good posture, maintain eye contact, and offer a firm handshake. These non-verbal cues can make a strong first impression.
- Plan Your Journey: Ensure you know the location of the interview and how to get there. Aim to arrive early to avoid any stress from being late.
- Follow Up: After the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and reiterate your interest in the position. Do not use pre-written templates for thank you notes, customize each one individually. Do not send the same thank you note to multiple interviewers.
By following these tips, you can approach your interview with confidence, ready to make a positive impression and land that dream job!