Written by: Jennifer Briscoe
While an impressive, well-written resume will land you the interview itself, strong interviewing skills are what will differentiate you from a pool of candidates and ensure you leave a lasting impression on a company.
Below are some of the most useful tips that we share with our candidates that have helped them land successful, rewarding careers.
The first step to interviewing is preparing for the interview. You should begin by researching the company and preparing questions to ask the interviewer about the company and/or the position itself. Be prepared with answers to questions you anticipate being asked.
Once you have done your research, get directions to the company and make a “trial run.”
Plan your wardrobe – think professional attire, preferably a suit.
Type a list of references and review your resume. Bring your list of references and enough copies of your resume for each interviewer.
Finally, role-play the interview.
Once it is time for the interview, go to the interview alone and arrive early.
Minimize the belongings you bring with you. You want to impress everyone starting with the first person you meet.
Have direct eye contact, be enthusiastic, and smile.
Never talk negatively about a previous employer. Show that you are knowledgeable about the position and the company.
Be sure to express your interest in the position and restate why you are a fit for the job.
Once finished, give a firm handshake and thank the interviewer for his/her time.
Be sure to follow-up with a thank you note.
Some sample questions to ask the interviewer include:
Why is this position open?
What do you think are the most important priorities for being successful in this job?
What have others found to be the most challenging aspect of this position?
What are your company’s goals?
Would it be possible to take a tour of the office in order to see the area that I would be working in?
Where are you in the interview process? When do you plan to make a decision?
Jennifer Briscoe, President of Hiring Source
