Insights

01 11 2017

Success flourishes when preparation and opportunity meet. To get there, you need to work your way up the ladder, a process that often begins with a job interview.

The interview process can be stressful, but if you are fully prepared before the big day, you will enter the room confident and ready to take control of your ultimate goal—landing the job of your dreams. Below are some tricks of the trade that will help you get started.

Research the company and the position

Researching and understanding a company so that you are fully prepared for the interview demonstrates to the interviewer that you have a serious interest in their company and are eager to become a member of their team. Gaining insight into a company’s culture before the interview will better prepare you to convey that you will be a good fit in their organization. For example, a law firm and a technology startup may present very different cultures. You may need to show the interviewer that you fit into the conservative and polished environment of a law firm, or the entrepreneurial spirit of a startup. It’s important to examine these finer elements of a company prior to the interview.

Research the position and make sure you speak to what they are asking for, so that you can align your specific skill set to the position. Not knowing enough about the position may cause you to provide generic or rambling answers during the interview that won’t convey how you believe the company will benefit from hiring you.

Be prepared

Leave yourself adequate time to fully prepare before the interview. Arriving early shows the company/interviewer that you are punctual and reliable. Arriving late will not only make you more flustered, but may give the employer the perception that you are not punctual and that this could be a routine occurrence. If you are local, visit the company’s location ahead of time so you know exactly where it is and how long it will take you to get there, then plan your trip accordingly.

Dress to impress

Stressed about what to wear? Dress for success! Make sure you feel good about your outfit and remember that it’s better to be overdressed than too casual.  

It’s a good idea to bring extra copies of your resume to the interview. The interviewer may not have printed your resume beforehand, or there may be someone else joining the interview who had not previously seen your resume. Also, be sure to bring a note pad and pen so you can take notes.

Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the company, the team you’d be working with, and what they are looking for. An interview is the best place to learn whether the job is a good fit for you. Find out what the manager’s expectations will be and how you will be assessed for meeting them. Learn about the company’s culture and see if it matches your expectations. This shows the interviewer that you are eager to know more about the company, you care about being a good fit, and you will be able to fulfill the duties of the job.

How do you see yourself fitting into the position?

From my personal experience, I was pursuing another career before joining StratComm and decided I needed a change. Everyone has skill sets that can translate in some way to the job they are interested in.

On the surface, the job that you are applying for and your previous experience may not appear related. I spent years in a scholastic environment before joining StratComm. While my experience may not have appeared directly related to the business world, the skills I possessed as an educator did. It was up to me to communicate why I was well qualified and ready to embrace a new position as an Assistant Project Manager. In my interview, I focused on my extreme attention to detail, my ability to provide feedback and assessment of my students, my interpersonal and management skills, and my flexibility in adapting to new situations. The skills I used every day applied to the position at StratComm, and I knew that with my prior experience, I would excel.

Be yourself

The employer wants to know the real you. They want to see how you will fit in with the team. This is also for your benefit—you spend a lot of time at work, and you may not be happy at a company whose culture conflicts with your personality. Let your personality shine through in the interview.

Thank the interviewer(s)

After the interview, be sure to thank the interviewer(s) for their time. Do this by thanking them in person and by sending an email later in the day. This will make a great and lasting impression.  

Opportunity awaits

Interviews don’t have to be associated with anxiety and stress. Try to reframe the interview as an exciting opportunity for you to develop your career. The interview is just as much about you finding the right employer as it is the employer finding the right candidate. To do this, you should be prepared and equipped with knowledge about the company and the position—and yourself.

Your next opportunity awaits!

AUTHOR

Julie Freedman

Project Manager at StratComm