In your interview for a big position, your job is to convince the recruiter that you are capable for doing what they are looking for. You should go into the interview feeling motivated and ready to convince the recruiter why you deserve the job more than anyone else in your position. You need to convince yourself that you are interviewing for this job because they saw something in you in the first place – this will make you walk into the office in a more confident manner, which is what they want to see. If you are confident, they will feel more confident that you are the best fit for the position because you know you can do what they are asking for. We have put together an interview prep plan that will allow you to feel more ready to conquer your interview and get an offer for your dream job.
Research the organization!
- The company will ask you specific questions to see if you looked into what they do. This will tell the that you are more prepared than the others interviewing for your position. You will stand out if you can answer these questions.
- Find out what the company does, and look into different areas of what they do that you are interested in.
- Look at the website and make sure you know what message they are trying to send to the audience. Know the audience! What kind of people are they catering to? What are they trying to sell? This is all found in the mission statement.
- Have questions ready to ask the recruiter. There is no way you will understand everything on the website, and it is better to ask questions than to be left in the dark. It also shows that you are curious and want to learn more about what the company does.
- Compare your skills to the job requirements listed. Do you have the skills they are looking for and the experience they need to hire you?
- Know what they are looking for and be prepared to tell them why you deserve this position. What can you bring to the table that no one else can?
- What have you done that is similar to what you would be doing in the new position and how can you apply what you know to be more successful in this job? Making a list with help you gather your thoughts together.
- If you don’t have something they are asking for but they already invited you for a n interview, it’s fine. Don’t focus on what you don’t have or don’t know, rather, tell them about what you know and have done.
- Prepare responses and practice what you are going to say.
- Have a friend listen to you and tell you what you are doing well and what you need to practice more.
- Make sure you don’t sound like a robot in the actual interview, but you should have a good idea of how to answer questions. When they ask you to explain what you have on your resume, for example, you should know this off the top of your head and you should not have to look down to see what you did two years ago.
- Know what you are going to say about yourself. Do you love fishing or running? They want to know about you, not just what you have done in your career.
- Plan what you are going to wear ahead of time.
- Wear something appropriate for the place you are interviewing at.
- Dress to impress: make sure you look neat and clean.
- Try on the outfit ahead of time to make sure it fits and you feel comfortable. It is better to be prepared than not, even if it takes extra effort. This is what they want to see.
- Plan what to bring to the interview.
- Always bring an extra copy of your resume on nice paper in case the recruiter doesn’t have it printed. The paper is important!
- Bring some kind of binder and pen to write down important information and to collect business cards so that you can write follow up emails.
- Follow up!
- Ask questions and make sure you understand everything you wanted to know when you walked into the office. They want you to ask questions because it shows you want to learn more and that you are eager to learn.
- Don’t ask questions that you know the answer to or that you can find on the website – this is a waste of everyone’s time.
- Ask the recruiter what makes his / her job and why he continues to work there?
- It is important to ask what the nexts steps are – is there another interview you should prepare for? When should you expect an email back about this interview? This is important to ask so that you aren’t left in the dust.
