Interviews can be daunting or a more positive experience, purely based on a candidate’s amount of preparation.
Here are some tips on what to do leading up to an interview to give you an advantage over others.
Check Your Online Presence
Most people have done a Google search on their name to see what’s online. This activity becomes a necessity before attending an interview. But, it needs to be thorough.
Start by doing a background check on yourself, just to make sure nothing comes up online that could make you look bad.
Next, go through all your social media sites. Check for inappropriate pictures, posts, or anything else that a future employer may take offense to.
Research the Company
The number one thing people fail to prepare is a thorough understanding of the company they’re interviewing with.
It’s not enough to do a quick google search and be done with it. Take the time to learn the history, notable achievements, and, if possible, the interviewer’s background. The trick here is to find something to connect with. If you happen to go to the same school, or belong to the same association, be sure to bring this up during the interview.
Suppose the company provides a good or service, attempt to sample it before the interview. This will already demonstrate a commitment to them and show that you’re relevant.
Look the Part
That old saying, ‘you never get a second chance at a first impression,’ is so important when attending a job interview. A prospective employer may already make a judgment on a candidate within the first 30 seconds of meeting them.
During the research on the company part, try to determine what their dress code is and match it. The only time a person wouldn’t do this is if the company’s culture is super-casual. In this case, it would make sense to dress up slightly to make a good impression.
If the budget allows, men should visit a barber and ladies a hair and nail salon. That extra time spent to look their absolute best could mean the difference between them being chosen over another candidate.
Prepare Questions
An interviewer will likely ask, ‘Do you have any questions for us?’. Successful interviews can be made or broken during this time.
Take the time to prepare some sensible questions that a future employer may be comfortable answering. Avoid any that are about you.
Questions like these should never be asked during an initial interview. They display selfish and arrogant behavior:
- How often will I get paid?
- Do I get a parking space?
- Can I have my birthday off?
Instead, ask questions that show an interest in the company:
- What is the company’s five-year plan?
- Is this position created by expansion or promotion?
- What kind of culture does the company present?
Do a Final Check Right Before the Interview
A couple of minutes before the interview begins, duck into a bathroom and do one more self-check. Ensure hair isn’t out of place; ladies, you don’t have lipstick on your teeth.
Switch off your mobile phone; silent isn’t good enough. A ringing or vibrating phone will disrupt the meeting flow and could result in the job being given to someone else.
Nail That Interview
Extra time spent preparing for an interview will give one candidate an advantage over another.
First, thoroughly check your online presence. If there’s anything even slightly untoward, remove it.
Do deep research on the organization and, if possible, the interviewer. Many people fail at interviews by skipping this step.
Look as best as possible. Perfect hair, makeup, nails, shoes, and clothes will deliver an excellent first impression.
Prepare intelligent questions, and wow the interviewer with professionalism.
Finally, a quick check right before the interview, including turning off your phone, will ensure everything is in place. Good luck!
