Prepare for your Job Interview
Enhance your application process with our tips. Preparation is crucial to ensure you can stand out amongst other applicants and successfully navigate the entire hiring process with skill. As you submit applications, tailor your resume to each job application, highlighting relevant skills and work experience. Our number one interview tip is that it is critical that you convey to the interviewer that you want “that job” not “a job.” How do you make that clear? It starts by doing your research. Visiting their website, looking for recent news articles or even connecting on LinkedIn with people that already work there.
Customize your cover letter for each application to reflect your enthusiasm and fit for the role. Even something as simple as the font used can help make your documents stand out in your application. Bring up what recent news or what you may have learned that makes you interested in working at their company. Think of questions that a recruiter may ask you about the company and have some answers ready. Next, you should discuss why you think your skill set for the role will help them meet goals or objectives you discover on their website. In your answers, use the STAR method to structure your responses, showcasing your skills in a results-driven manner. Try to ask specific interview questions to the recruiter or hiring manager, not only about the organization but the interviewer as well. Here's another tip: during your exchange, maintain positive body language and eye contact to engage effectively with the interviewer.
Point out that you may have noticed during their tenure at the company they have had several promotions. Ask what they have done to be so successful. Ask questions that show you are thinking about joining their company, such as “what would be expected of me in the first 30-60-90 days?” Additionally, inquire about what others have done to be successful employees and to grow their careers at the company over time. Remember no matter how many interviews you have had prior, it is important to ask questions. Asking about the job description in detail demonstrates your thorough preparation. It can be insulting to them to imply that they would not have important information.
Even if you mention that you have asked everyone so far what they love about the company, add that you would like to hear from them as well. Mention to your hiring manager or recruiter how your work experience and hard skills make you an ideal applicant for the position, or underline skills that may have been touched on in your application. Finally, make sure you ask what the next step might be in the application / hiring process. Express your willingness to participate in further interviews or phone interviews if needed.
Prepare for Success
Be prepared for what your recruiter or hiring manager may ask. Interviewers will ask you a series of questions to learn a number of things about you as a candidate beyond the information and skills mentioned in your application. Be prepared to discuss your employment history and any job gaps in a positive and honest manner. Certain questions will be focused on your technical knowledge of the role while others will focus on interpersonal skills and desire to join their company. Interviews are the time to talk about what you have done in the past. We encourage candidates to share what they have done in the past, while explaining the situation and how it impacted the organization.
Beyond inquiries about technical and soft skills, your interviewer mas ask about topics that seem unrelated to find out if you have the skills for certain roles. Prepare to engage in conversation about both your recent graduate or mid-level experiences, depending on your career stage. One of our interviewers always asked a question with four steps that would need to be identified as most important to least important. Remember to check the job description thoroughly and align your interview answers with the requirements listed. Show your capability to handle a virtual interview with your future employer with professionalism.
Additionally, in certain client-facing or customer service type roles that often involve “thinking on your feet,” an interviewer may ask a seemingly random question that could take people by surprise, like if you could have any superpower which would you want. Be ready to answer common interview questions succinctly and avoid being long-winded.
Overall, it is crucial to review the job description, understand the employer's needs, and prepare to discuss how your skills and experiences meet those requirements.
Beyond the Interview
Stand out even more going beyond what's necessary. Following the interview, send a personalized thank you email or note, reinforcing your interest in the job and the value you bring. Ensure your communication is error-free and reflects a good first impression. Within 24 hours of your interview, follow-up with a thank you note, recalling details from the interview and reiterating your interest in the job. Use this follow-up as an opportunity to highlight your soft skills and reiterate your key selling points. These points will help ensure that your interview will be a success and you will be a contender in the applicant pool. Remember to be yourself.
Stay up-to-date with the interview process and be prepared for the next steps, whether it's another interview or a job offer. If you are called in for an interview, there is already a reason you are there.
Resume Tips to stand out
Apply these resume tips to create documents that help place you above other candidates. Crafting a standout resume and cover letter is a pivotal step in the job application process and will make a good impression going into your job interview. Utilize action verbs and bullet points to clearly articulate your skills and work history, ensuring your documents are easy to read and error-free. Tailor each application to the job ad, highlighting relevant experience and qualifications. An ATS-friendly resume, emphasizing the right keywords, significantly boosts your chances of landing an interview. Remember, a well-structured resume and cover letter not only demonstrate your professionalism but also provide a glimpse into your communication skills and attention to detail.
By triple-checking for accuracy and relevance, you present yourself as a detail-oriented and thorough applicant, qualities highly valued by employers. To enhance your resume, consider adding a section that showcases your specific skills, both hard skills and soft skills. This helps the hiring manager and recruiter to quickly identify your capabilities. Including a clear job title and a brief summary of your work experience can make your resume more impactful. When applying for a job, ensure your resume and cover letter are submitted in an easy-to-read font, keeping the formatting consistent throughout. For job interviews, prepare by researching common interview questions related to the job description. This preparation shows the interviewer that you're a well-informed applicant. Practice answers that highlight your positive attitude and ability to work in a team. It's also essential to make a good first impression, so focus on your body language, maintain eye contact, and dress appropriately, even for a video interview or virtual interview.
Apply & Experience Success
Skip ahead of the competition with our job interview tips. Remember, the hiring process is a two-way street. As much as you need to impress your potential employer, it's also about finding the right fit for your career aspirations. Ask questions during the interview to engage in a meaningful conversation with the interviewer. This approach shows your interest in the role and helps you gather valuable information about the company's culture and day-to-day operations.
Finally, always follow up after the interview with a thank-you note, reiterating your interest in the position and summarizing key points discussed during the interview. This step can set you apart from other applicants and show your enthusiasm for the job. Whether it's an in-person interview, phone interview, or any other format, a courteous follow-up is a powerful tool in the application process. Apply all these application and resume tips and you're bound to have more success than ever in your job search.