Think about an interview strategy as part of a chess endgame. After several grueling moves to get your chess pieces in place, it's time to go in for the victory as you capture your opponent's king. The interview is not a time to rush things. Just as you set up your chess pieces 20 moves ago, you need to proceed carefully before making your finishing moves.
As such, check out these seven insights to add to your interview strategy. See what happens after you implement these techniques and discover if you come away with more success than before.
1. Customize Your Answers
Recruiters and HR managers often talk about customizing your resume, application and cover letter. The interview strategy should also include customizing answers for the employer at hand. Research the company ahead of time to formulate answers relevant to the employer's situation.
2. Show Motivation
Show your interviewers what drives and motivates you to get this job. Do you have a passion for the company? Do you love what the firm represents? Prove you have what it takes by maintaining a positive, upbeat attitude and know that the employer offers a huge opportunity for you. Your motivation comes out in your eagerness and earnestness during the interview.
3. Get in the Minds of the Interviewers
Pretend to be the interviewer and have one of your friends stand in for you as you pick someone's brain about the open position. This interview strategy allows you to assess how the interviewee performs after you ask questions. Then see how you can improve upon your own behavior.
4. Offer More Value
Add value to your worth by telling interviewers what you can do to improve the company's revenue and profit margins. HR wants to know if it gets a good return on its investment when it hires you. Do you keep up with current trends in your sector? What about the latest technology that makes your job more efficient? Tout a few of these ways you can save the company money due to your own working style.
5. Relax Regarding Unusual Questions
Everyone prepares for unusual questions. Realize that the answers to these queries are not about getting them right. Instead, they determine your problem-solving prowess.
6. Negotiate Your Salary
If you feel the interview went really well, you might bring up salary negotiations towards the end. You should know how much your sector pays people with similar positions, so you have a few hard numbers in mind. How the other side negotiates reveals a lot about their commitment to you when you consider this interview strategy.
7. Make Sure It Fits
Strangely enough, you may reject an offer even though you felt this company was fantastic at the beginning of the interview. Ask yourself if you can be happy in this job. When the answer comes back "no," consider declining the offer and moving on from there. You already know you can land an interview, so other companies can surely use your talents.
A good interview strategy means getting the entire process done right. If you don't perform your own due diligence and have patience with your job search, you may end up looking for another job in a few months anyway due to a bad fit.
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