i'm preparing for an interview tomorrow so, i've decided to share with all of you some important tips and tricks. we all want to be interview ready. preparation is key. if you don't prepare for an interview, you're not serious about employment. searching for a job is a job and you much treat it as such.
STEPS TO PREP
- you are a salesperson.
what are you selling? yourself. think of yourself as a product with benefits and drawbacks. the company is a consumer with wants and needs that you seek to fulfill. you want to highlight why they need you and why your product is better than the competitors.
2. know your resume.
you need to know everything about your product. thus, you should memorize your packaging. go over your resume until you know it front to back. they're going to ask you about things that you've listed so be prepared to answer without looking.
3. rehearsal typical interview questions
there's some questions that they going to ask...guaranteed. prepare for it ahead of time. it will prevent you from going through an awkward moment of umms and silence. also, it will increase your confidence knowing that you already have half the interview memorized. good preparation is key to success. you'll feel better and do better if you prepare for what's coming.
some typical questions include:
tell me about yourself
what are your strengths?
what are your weaknesses?
can you review your work history for us?
tell me about a time where you had to resolve a conflict
why do you want to work for our company?
here's an example of how to answer the question "tell me about yourself"
my name is alysha bellamy and i recently graduated with honors from albright college in may of this year. i graduated with a degree in business marketing. i always was curious about the role that marketing and advertising plays in convincing the consumer to go from interest in a product to purchasing a product. now i recognize that i would like to pursue a career in advertising where i can help transfer a company's vision into the mind of the consumer. i believe my strong communication skills, leadership, and creativity will help me in this pursuit.
4. know WHO and WITH WHOM you're interviewing
a) research the company before the interview. look at reviews of the company as well as their website for information and potential questions. they're going to ask you, as listed above, why you want to work for them. this step will help you answer that question. they most likely will also ask what you know about their company. gather as much information as possible so you can give a complete and full answer. if they've provided any company literature, read it prior to the interview. they may ask about it.
b) know the name of who you've spoken with and who you're interviewing with. nothing is more embarrassing then not knowing who you are interviewing with when getting to the office. furthermore, your custom cover letter should be addressed to this person
5. based on your research, have questions for the company
this interview is just as much about them getting to know you as you getting to know them. ask questions! as many as you can. make sure you have a understanding of what the job and company are about. asking questions shows that you're intrigued, listening, and seriously considering employment.
here's some good questions i like:
how will my leadership responsibilities and performance be measured? by whom?
can you explain what a day in the life of the position would be like?
what sets this company apart from its competitors?
when and why did you start working for this company?
is travel required for this position?
tricky business ---->> compensation questions
some say let the employer bring it, but i think that it is only fair for a potential employee to know the salary and compensation package for the job they're applying for.
prepare for this conversation by researching online what this position typically makes. good resources are sites like glassdoor.com
base your expectation on these numbers factoring in your education and experience.
know what you're worth, but be realistic. consider the worth of the entire package aka your benefits and retirement not just your annual pay.
6. check your online presence
keep your online persona clean. moderate your twitter, facebook, instagram, vine..etc for inappropriate content. i don't care how private your page is or what fake name you put it under, they will search for you and find you.
7. pack your bag properly
you'll need: multiple copies of resume and cover letter, a pen, a note pad, business cards(if you have them), porfolio( if you're in a creative industry), copies of recommendation letters or your degree if necessary, and the name of who you're interviewing with
8. get there EARLY
15-20 minutes early is excellent. make sure to provide extra time for your commute, finding the office, and checking in. if there is any paperwork to fill out prior to interviewing, that may take time too.
9. say thanks
after the interview, mail or email a thank you to your interviewer. make sure you have some method of contact information to do so. it's a good practice and it shows you're respectful and appreciative of the interviewer's time.
fun fact --> i got my thank you cards at staples for $3.99, they're fun colors that show off my personality and i handwrite them.
10. follow up
don't leave the ball completely in their court. ask for a timeline for the consideration process then follow up. if it's been a week, its absolutely appropriate to call and inquire about your application's status. you are your own advocate. don't stalk the company, but don't go with the flow either.
need more information?
i referenced a few things i read in passive panda's article about interview tips. it's an awesome read with tons of helpful tips and tricks. see it here
rock that interview! go in with confidence and own it. a successful interview is one part preparation and one part finesse. hope i helped with one portion.
-amb
