Have an important interview soon and want to knock it out of the park? Read these top 10 interview tips for candidates to set yourself up for success.
1. Research the company- Visit the company’s website and social media accounts for some deep diving. What are their values? What is their mission? Bring a few talking points to the interview about what resonated with you or items you’d like to know more about.
2. Prepare Questions- Think back to your research on the company. Is there anything that intrigued you? Need clarity on how they carry out their values through every day processes? Are there any recent projects, events, or products you’re interested in learning more about? Questions like these show preparation, but also interest in the company, what they do, and what they stand for. We suggest bringing 3 questions to ask your interviewer.
3. Polish & Print Your Resume- Bring a few printed copies of your resume to your interview. Before you print them, make sure it’s up to date, error-free, and has consistent formatting. Read more resume tips here.
4. Elevator Pitch- When you hear “elevator pitch,” don’t spit out your name, where you went to college, and your most recent position. When an interviewer asks this, they also want to know about you as a person. Include interests, hobbies, and professional and personal skills.
5. Practice Answering Questions Aloud- Picture yourself in the interview room. Imagine the questions you will get asked. Practice answering them aloud until you feel comfortable and confident. The goal here is to come prepared, but not sound too rehearsed.
6. Dress for Success- Have your interview outfit ready at least three days before. Wear something you feel confident and professional in. Dress appropriately to match the company’s work environment, or one step above. If you are unsure, ask your recruiter and they will be able to help. This is one of the many benefits of working with a recruiter.
7. Breathe- During the interview and even before, nerves can be at an all time high. This is normal, but there are breathing techniques to help keep calm. We like Diaphragmatic Breathing and the Wim Hof Method.
8. Slow Down- Another way to calm nerves is to be mindful and talk at a slower speed. Talking too quickly during an interview can take you out of the moment and keep you from answering questions as accurately as you’d like. It’s okay to pause, think, and take your time when answering questions.
9. Actively Listen- Listening is an important skill to have. Stephen Covey once said, “Listen with the intent to understand, not the intent to reply” Take a deep breath and focus on understanding your interviewer. Be fully invested.
10. Send a Thank You Email- Thanking your interviewer within 24 hours of your interview is always a great action to show gratitude. Some employers actively look for this during the interview process. Some will take it into account when evaluating your communication skills. Always follow up with an email and thank them for their time.
Take these 10 steps before your next interview and you’ll be set up for success. Remember: prepare, practice, breathe, and be yourself.
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Reach out to Chief of Staff KC with any questions you may have, and we’ll pair you with a dedicated recruiter that is motivated to find the right fit for you. Let’s get started.