No matter the industry, position level, or style of meeting… job interviews can be nerve-wracking for candidates across the nation. Everyone has their own way of preparing for an interview, and we’re here to share a few tips to get you from your first interview to the job offer!
Virtual Interviews
The past two years have led to virtual meetings becoming commonplace among businesses, which presents both challenges and opportunities for interviewees. While remote interviews may provide a sense of comfort for some, other candidates may feel uneasy about showing their home in the background. Here are a few ideas to make your virtual interview successful:
- Make sure you know which platform you will be meeting on in advance and install it on your device
- Check your technology to ensure it works with the platform – be sure to test the microphone, camera, and audio
- For the best quality, avoid using your phone camera for interviews
- Take advantage of the camera preview to make sure you have a clean, tidy background behind you
- Log on early to make sure you have a good connection
- Dress for success – whether you decide to fully suit up or just do “business on the top” be sure to look the part when you log on
Succeed in Any Interview
Regardless of whether you’re tackling a virtual or in-person interview, there are some tried-and-true tricks to keep you on track.
- Research the company and the role prior to the interview to ensure you know exactly what they do and how you can fit into their overall mission.
- Look for their mission, vision, and values – and when possible, work these words or phrases into the conversation to show your commitment to joining the team
- Prior to the interview, think through some questions you may have for the company and jot them down to have them with you during the interview. Some topics for questions can include:
- Company culture – don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer about their experiences and inquire about what they like best about the company.
- Evaluation – it’s a good idea to ask about evaluation processes and how this role will be measured for success.
- Professional development and advancement – asking about these items will show initiative and the desire to grow personally and professionally
- Be prepared to discuss your work experience from multiple viewpoints, which can include overall duties, strategic initiatives, project management styles, or even how you’ve handled challenges in prior roles
- Once you are there, be fully engaged in the conversation, answer questions directly and take notes when appropriate to help formulate any questions you may have for the interviewer.
- After the interview is over, sending a thank you email will never go out of style.
While on the job hunt, preparation can make all the difference as you interview to find the best fit for you. The more prepared you are when you enter a room (or hit the “join meeting” button), the more confident, calm, and collected you will be as you strive to reach the next level.