Five Best Interview Tips
We’ve all been there: the job interview. Sweaty palms, dry throat, fidgeting. It’s the hoop that everyone has to jump through for employment. I can’t think of any job that doesn’t require some sort of interview process. The purpose of the interview for any job is to make sure that you are a good fit for the company, the role, and the team you’ll be working on. Chances are, once you make it to the interview stage of the hiring process the recruiter sees some potential in you. Relax, and follow these five tips for a great interview.
Do your homework
Study up and research the company, the role you are interviewing for, and the person who is interviewing you. In this day and age, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to learn most of what you need to know through a quick internet search. Reviewing the company website and news articles can be great sources of information. You can also check out LinkedIn profiles of other people at the company as well as the person interviewing you.
Be professional
This goes without saying, but being professional in the way that you carry yourself and treat others goes a long way in scoring you points with potential employers. Make sure you dress appropriately by wearing what you would normally wear to work for the job you are seeking. Make sure to arrive 15 minutes early. This shows that you respect others’ time. Finally, be polite to everyone that you encounter from the parking lot to the conference room. You never know who that guy in the parking space next to yours might be.
Bring solutions
Remember that you are not there to simply answer questions. You need to stand out from the rest of the pack. So instead of just answering their questions and regurgitating your resume, think ahead of time about what value you would bring to the company and be ready to share that in your interview. If you have studied up on the company beforehand, you should be aware of their biggest challenges in the marketplace. Come with ideas for solutions to solve those problems.
Be inquisitive
I always find it peculiar when an applicant has no questions for me. Good candidates always have questions, so make sure you have some. Be prepared to ask questions about what the role entails, the team you’d be working with, and how the company handles specific situations. This shows that you’ll be invested in the role and stick around for the long haul.
Follow up
It’s always good to follow up with a polite email thanking the recruiter or interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. The act of expressing your gratitude shows that you are considerate of others and that is a soft skill that is very important in the workplace. It’s also ok to follow up later on if you don’t hear back to find out if they are going in another direction so that you can too.
NES Group has been a sector leader since 1997, providing executive recruiting services to both the Enterprise Risk Mitigation and Marketing Services sectors, and serving Fortune 500, mid-tier, late-stage start-ups, and fintech firms – successfully completing over 600 executive-level assignments. Learn more