You’re interviewing for a new job. How can you get the most out of the experience?

Know the Company's Mission and where they stand in their industry before interview. Researching will help you to get more insights about the company and you can draft prepared answers easily in such a way to match with company's expectations. Researching will make you more involved and you can come up with more related questions for the interview which will also shows your curiosity / interest to the interviewer

Before the interview, research the company, its mission, values and culture. Use the website, social media and online reviews. Turn to the network for insights. Adapt answers and show interest.

Research the company, its culture, values, products/services, and industry trends. Review the job description and understand the role's responsibilities, requirements, and qualifications. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer(s) about the company and the role. Highlight Your Accomplishments: Reflect on your past experiences, accomplishments, and skills relevant to the position. Prepare specific examples and anecdotes that demonstrate your abilities, strengths, and qualifications. Practice articulating your achievements and skills confidently and concisely. Showcase Your Fit: Tailor your responses to align with the company's values, mission, and culture.

While preparing, anticipate questions and prepare answers. Consider what you might ask if you were hiring for this role. Many interviews for leadership positions ask behavioral and situational questions, so reflect on your experiences. Make sure your stories have a clear point and add value, proving something about your character or capabilities that aligns with the role you are interviewing for. Think about how you want to come across, then practice conveying multiple traits and behaviors in one or two concise narratives. Rehearse so you come across as polished. But, if you know the information through and through, you should be able to speak extemporaneously as well, which is another trait of strong leaders.

You only get 1 chance to make a first and last impression. That impression can be good, bad or non-descript it is up to you. One of the things that rarely gets talked about is your smile :-) remember 55% of your communication is through your body language and when you are in an interview (either interviewing or being interviewed) there is a lot of eye contact happening and a lot of attention paid to your face - smile appropriately teeth are really important so make sure you look after them as best you can. The other thing many forget is the last impression that is made - shake hands & thank the others for their time it is valuable if that is appropriate and remember that the last sight anyone sees is the back of you!!

When I have interviewed candidates for a position, I take a keen interest in the questions that they ask. From their inquiries, I can often perceive: - How far into the future they are thinking - Whether they are looking for a JOB or a CAREER - What level of research they have already done - Whether they are likely to fit in with our culture - What is most important to them For some, the above list is a reason to AVOID questions like the plague. After all, if they reveal all of that, then what if we ask the wrong question? But, when one has NO questions, it gives me the same info...just not a good version of it. Plus, don't you WANT to be with an ORG that shares your values--Especially as a LEADER, there?

Asking smart questions will be most helpful to you in the long run. If you truly want to be a member of the team ask the following questions: -Ask questions that demonstrate your understanding of the position, knowledge of the company, and industry best practices. -Ask the interviewer about their tenor with the company and why they wanted to join the company - Ask about culture. Specifically aspects that are important to you but also infer that you want to understand cultural expectations (i.e. Flexibility, remote work, benefits, employee engagement, professional development, etc.) - Ask about the turnover, retention and promotional rates. If its a panel interview it will allow an opportunity to gain various perspectives.

Go with an open mind. Treat it as an opportunity to learn and interact with professionals Don't just treat it like an interview..that doesn't mean go unprepared but see it more as a chance to build connections as even if you are not selected for role you may end up being called for another opportunity

Something that rarely is mentioned in terms of interviewing is that the interview SHOULD go both ways. If an org is unwilling for a DI-alogue in their interview process, they may not be the best place to work. If an individual is not interested in a two-way conversation, then they are unlikely to be content in their position because they are not ensuring that the company is a good fit for them. Yes, as the hirer, the org usually holds more "power", but as the resource (person), never forget that you should want to be sure the company is a good fit for you as much as they want to be sure you are a good fit for them!