Congratulations! You’ve landed an interview with a job that sounds just perfect for you, an opportunity to use the skills you already have while gaining a few new ones. (And the pay’s better too!)
Before the big day comes, however, do yourself a favor and take a few steps to prepare. It could help you feel more confident and ready to wow your would-be manager and make a great first impression.
Here’s what to do:
Do your homework.
Take a little time to review the company you’re interviewing with and get to know them a little better. How long has it been in business? What are they known for? Do they have locations in other cities or just the one closest to you? Then dig a little deeper: Who’s the biggest competitor? What was their last big “win” or success? Has the company been in the news lately and, if so, why? This will help to familiarize yourself with the business but also can provide you with some topics for questions you can ask (more on that in a moment).
Review the job title again and prepare to make connections.
Remind yourself of the job description, tasks, and skills outlined in the posting you’ve applied to. Then make a list of how your experience, background, and skills meet those criteria. If something isn’t a perfect match, jot down ways in which your skills and experience can help you learn to do the job, and think of examples of ways in which you’ve adapted to new jobs in the past. Try to be as thorough as possible — you’re making a case for yourself as a great candidate!
Practice the interview.
There are some questions that will almost always come up during an interview. Things like “Where do you see yourself in five years?” and “What about this job sounded appealing to you?” Ask a friend or relative to spend some time running through a practice interview with you so you can prepare your answers. Be sure to think about responses to questions like “What have you done when faced with challenges at work?” and “What have you learned in your current job?”
Prepare questions.
When you’re researching the company and getting more familiar with what it does, think about the things you’d like to know that are related to the position for which you’re interviewing. How does this job fit into the bigger picture? But also ask about the company overall. How long do people work there? What do people like about their jobs? What does your interviewer think is the company’s biggest strength? If there’s been something in the news lately about the company, ask for more information about it. If you really want to be impressive, when given the chance, ask about the company’s five or 10-year growth projection. If you can be asked about your vision for your life, why not flip the script?
Check your appearance.
A day or two before the interview, decide what you’re going to wear. Try on the outfit and make sure you have everything you need, that everything looks nice and neat, professional and tidy. Take a long look in a mirror to make sure things aren’t messy — if there are any loose threads or buttons, you have time to make fixes. It might seem silly, but if you want to practice facial expressions or what you want to do with your hair, go for it! It might give you a little boost of confidence and encouragement at the same time.
Be sure to print out a few copies of your resume, just in case, and as you approach the office door to go in for the interview, take a deep breath and give yourself a little pep talk.
If you’d like a little more advice on preparing for an interview, or if you’d like to keep looking just in case, contact Debbie’s Staffing. We have great jobs available right now with wonderful companies who will be thrilled to have you join their team. Contact Debbie’s Staffing today and let’s introduce you.
