Four Tips For A Successful Job Interview

You have been searching for a new employer for quite some time and you have found the perfect job. Now, the company has called you for an interview and you can’t wait for the opportunity to tell the potential employer about your strengths and why you are a great fit for the position. Obviously, you probably are not the only person being interviewed for the job. So, what’s next and how can you be memorable? Read on to discover additional ways to impress the interviewers and stand out among the competition.

1. Preparation is key. If you have been on any number of interviews in recent years, you know there are some standard questions that are asked during an interview. This is true whether you are interviewing for a manufacturing, marketing, or mid-level management position. You will need to be able to articulate your strengths, give examples of your accomplishments, and give an elevator pitch to introduce yourself. Preparing for these questions should be a no-brainer.

Go through a mock interview with a trusted colleague or business contact, take written notes on your answers, and be sure to have several examples that you can bring forth when asked. Preparation won’t make you sound ‘rehearsed.’ Instead, it will make you sound like you cared about the position and wanted to make a good first impression.

2. Research the company. Chances are-if you have applied for a job with the company-you probably already know something about the organization. Conducting research on the employer shows that you are taking this opportunity seriously. If the company recently won an award, mention it during the interview.

Find a bio for the interviewer and discover some information about that person. You may notice that some interviewers ask what you know about the company. The reason they ask this is because they want to see which interviewee has taken the time to research the company and find out details beyond what was in the job posting.

3. Find the physical location of the company (before the interview). If your interview is at 9 a.m. on Monday, then it’s probably not a great idea to be fighting traffic and your GPS directions around 8:50 a.m. that same day. Instead, take some time a day or two before the interview and drive to the location.

This will give you less stress the day of the interview and alleviates that as one of your worries. You’ll also know just how early you need to leave you home to make it on-time. Being late for the interview definitely does NOT make a good first impression.

4. Bring hard copies of your resume to the interview. If the employer has already called you for an interview, then they have a copy of your resume. But, there may be more than one person in the interview or someone may have misplaced a copy. When a company calls to set the interview appointment, it’s always a good idea to find out how many interviewers there will be during your appointment. My advice to clients is to bring that number of hard copies with you, plus two additional copies.

This allows you to have a resume in front of you during the interview, too. If you’re like many people, you may get nervous during the questions and forget something. With a copy for yourself, you will feel more grounded and capable of checking information-if needed.

The job interview is the initial step to making a positive first impression with the company. Preparing for this important event is critical to your success. And, don’t forget that following-up after the interview will be just as important. The more often the company can see that you are the right candidate for the job, are interested in the position, and know how to make a lasting impression, the more likely you are to earn a second interview or a job offer.