Preparation is key when it comes to making a great first impression during a job interview. Proper preparation also empowers you during interviews, making them feel more conversational and less like one-sided interrogations. Follow these five tips to ensure you're well-prepared on interview day and to increase your chances of outshining your competition.
1. Research the Company
Take time to thoroughly research the company before each job interview. This preparation gives you better insight into the organization and shows hiring managers that you're genuinely interested in learning about the company. Visit the company's website, and research the organization's history and leaders. Find information about the company's products and services, business practices and overall mission. Visit the company's Facebook or Twitter pages to learn about current happenings within the organization. Make note of key information, and find creative ways to incorporate the information into your interview discussion.
2. Know What the Job Entails
Job candidates must explain why they're the right person for the job, and that's impossible to do if they don't even know what the job entails. Make note of the tasks and responsibilities listed in the job description, and then prepare examples of your experiences performing these tasks in previous positions. Relay these examples to the hiring manager during the job interview to demonstrate your ability to meet the company's needs.
3. Create an Elevator Pitch
When an interviewer says "Tell me about yourself," it's best to reply with a short statement, around 30 seconds long, that explains who you are and why you're the best candidate for the job. This statement is your elevator pitch, and it's important to prepare a customized pitch before each job interview. Start your pitch by mentioning your name, and then describe how you plan to contribute to the organization. Talk about a company problem you want to help solve or how you want to use your previous sales experience to help the company gain more clients.
4. Research Common Interview Questions
Research the most common interview questions asked by hiring managers in your field, and then prepare thoughtful, detailed answers to those questions. Common interview questions include "What excites you about this industry?" or "Why do you want to work for our organization?" If possible, speak to someone you know who works for the company, and ask about her interview experience. Practice your answers until you're able to deliver them comfortably, and make your answers as informative as possible to give recruiters insight into your work ethic.
5. Prepare Questions for the Interviewer
Never end a job interview without asking the hiring manager at least three questions. Don't ask general questions that you can easily find the answer to on the company website. Instead, ask questions that demonstrate your genuine interest in the company to truly impress recruiters. Questions to consider include "What does a typical day look like for someone in this position?" or "What do you expect the new employee to accomplish within the first 30 days?"
Proper job interview preparation not only impresses employers, but it also helps you determine if a company meets your needs. Implement these five tips into your job interview-preparation strategy to set yourself apart from other applicants and boost your chances of landing the ideal job.
Photo courtesy of Ron Lipke at Flickr.com
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