During job interviews, your personality frequently has more of an impact than your qualifications. Along with your experience and education, your demeanor, attitude, social competence, and communication abilities are assessed. You and the interviewer must communicate during the interview in order to exchange ideas and information in order for both parties to decide whether you, the company, and the position are a suitable fit. It is therefore crucial to prepare ahead of time!
WHAT TO DO BEFORE INTERVIEW
Research the company and industry
Your likelihood of landing the job can be increased by the time you invest in learning about the business before your interview. This is why it's crucial to allot time to research businesses before interviewing with them. A company's culture, history, and accomplishments are all things you want to learn about when you do research.
Do not put off starting until the day of your interview. Instead, you should start your research as soon as the interview is scheduled. This provides you sufficient time to learn about the business, research potential interview questions, and think of conversation starters for the interviewer.
How should you approach company research before an interview?
Before a job interview, you can learn more about a company in a variety of ways. The company's official website should be one of your first stops when looking for information.
You should be able to find out about the company's background, goals, important achievements, and specifics about the products and services they offer on their website. To learn more about the roles this organization offers, you might be able to look through their job postings. Additionally, you can learn more about businesses by looking through their social media pages. These accounts can tell you about the most recent business developments, such as new hires or the launch of a new location.
Expect to be asked whether you have any questions for the interviewer, even if job interviews can vary greatly in how they're conducted. Lack of questions can give the wrong impression because the interviewer might think you're uninterested in the business or unenthusiastic about working there. Asking questions is a wonderful way to demonstrate that you are interested in learning more about the business and in working there.
Remember that showing up to an interview with little or no knowledge of the company may convey the impression that you are not very interested in working there.
Practice Your Interviewing Skills
Writing down responses to typical interview questions is a standard way that candidates prepare for interviews. While putting your ideas on paper can be useful, the best method is to do it verbally, with a friend, mentor, or professional counselor. Be prepared to bring examples that demonstrate the abilities the organization is looking for, showcasing your strengths, flexibility, leadership skills, and creativity in problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
WHAT TO DO ON THE DAY OF YOUR INTERVIEW
Dressing for Success! Dress professionally for the interview to make a good first impression on the hiring manager. Avoid wearing informal attire, and always dress to impress. Keep your hygiene at a high standard and conduct yourself how you would like the business to view you.
Arrive on time. Arrive for your interview at least 10-15 minutes early, and remember to be respectful and courteous to every member of the staff you encounter because you never know who might have input on your hiring decision.
Be prepared. Remember to bring important items to your interview such as a notepad and pen, extra copies of your resume and references, copies of recommendation letters, licenses, transcripts, etc.
Display confidence. Aim to convey a favorable message during the interview by maintaining eye contact, shaking hands firmly (but only if one is extended to you first), listening intently, and providing honest and direct responses.
End with a good impression. Another approach to guarantee your success is to leave the interview on a favorable tone. Reiterate any strengths and experiences you may not have highlighted previously, be polite, and ensure that the interview concludes on time. Mention a specific achievement or activity that relates to the position. After the interview, if you still think the company is a good fit for you, be sure to let them know you're interested in the position. You should also remember to inquire when a decision will be made, or when you may get in touch with the employer to find out.
Thank you for reading. The information provided in this post does not reflect Central Arkansas Workforce Development Area’s programs and/or outcomes directly. If you are interested in learning more about our programs and services, please visit our Virtual Career Center.