Thirteen Interview Tips to Help You Land the Right Job
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Job hunting can feel like a job itself. Tailoring your cover letter and resume to fit the job description, researching and searching for companies, and more can take hours of your day. If you have difficulty finding the right job, you are in great company. Here are thirteen interview tips to help you land the right job for you.
Before Applying
1. Soul Search
We highly recommend doing a little soul-searching if you are looking for a long-term position. We understand that some people may just want to find a job, but if your goal is to find the perfect job for you, we suggest you put more thought into it. This will help you avoid fulfilling a position you will not be happy with. Here are a few things to ask yourself:
What are your beliefs?
Defining your beliefs, values, aspirations, etc., will help you identify what type of company you want to work for. For example, if you value an eco-friendly society, you may want to look for companies that value the same thing. This can also potentially give you an opportunity to incorporate some ideas to further this agenda within the company sometime in the future.
What Are You Passionate About
Writing down your passions can help you identify your strengths. If you enjoy helping people and solving problems, you may thrive in a customer service position. Knowing and understanding your passions, gifts, and talents will help you narrow down the type of job you should look for.
Consider Your Lifestyle
If you have children or want to be home at a particular time, keep that in mind when applying for employment. Be sure to check the distance between your house and the company. Make sure you have reliable transportation to and from the company, and make certain you are available during company hours. Also, keep in mind there are many work-from-home opportunities that may fit your lifestyle better.
Write Down What is Important to You
Committing to a company is a big deal, so make a note of what is important to you. Are holidays important? Is mental health in the workplace important? Perhaps health care, wellness, and other benefits are important to you. Make a note of all things you want your employer to fulfill.
2. Research
Researching the company you are applying for is critical, and you want to do it before applying. As we discussed, there are many job scams out there, and they are becoming more and more clever over time. Be sure to know what to look for and how to protect yourself when looking for employment. You can learn more here.
Besides making sure the company is not a scam, you should research to be confident the company is an excellent fit for you. You can use the data you collected from the questions above to see how well you are aligned.
3. Find Out Who Works For the Company If Possible
Identifying the hiring manager can help when building your cover letter. You can directly address them in your letter. It shows you did research, and you are not “just looking for any job.” Also, you may be able to find them on LinkedIn. In some instances, connecting with them on LinkedIn shows you are resourceful and serious about the position. It is not harmful to introduce yourself.
4. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!
Got an interview? Great! Take some time to prepare for your interview. Write down some questions and be sure to include things that are important to you, and incorporate your research. You can say something like, “I am aware that an eco-friendly environment is crucial to this company. Can you share examples of how this is implemented into the company’s values, strategies, and culture?”
5. Create a Portfolio or Folder
Having a folder with your cover letter, resume, etc., is an excellent touch to personalizing and standing out in your interview. You can also insert a business or contact card if you have one. If your interview is online, you can always stand out by branding and designing your resume using design platforms such as Canva. You can also learn about other alternatives here.
6. Attire
Here’s a tip. Wearing the company colors can potentially make you appear as if you are already a part of the team. For example, if applying to Chase Bank, you can wear a blue button-up and a black bottom to match their dress code.
7. Scheduling an Interview
Interviews can be a bit stressful, so the timing has to be perfect. If you are typically nervous before interviewing, schedule your slot at a time that will give you enough time to prepare your mind to focus. Keep in mind companies are full of people just like you.
Speaking of people, remember that the person on the other side of the table or screen is human. And we humans tend to have a short attention span. With that said, try to avoid scheduling your interview early in the morning. If your interviewer is just getting in, they will most likely focus more on getting in the workflow. Mid mornings around 10 and 11 will work best.
Also, avoid scheduling close to lunchtime. You would not want your interviewer to focus on what they are having for lunch. Shoot for after lunch between 2 pm and 4 pm. Last but not least, try to avoid scheduling before the weekends. To learn more, check out these articles here: Indeed & LinkedIn.
During the Interview
8. Relax!
We know how daunting it can be when searching for employment, which can sometimes lead to anxiety or nervousness. But remember, you are only having a conversation. Getting to know your potential employer is just as important as them getting to know you. Take some pressure off by shifting some focus to them. You are interviewing them too. Realize they are in need, just like you.
9. Eye Contact
When interviewing, maintain great eye contact. This lets your interviewer know that you are focused and confident, and of course, don’t forget to smile.
10. Engage
Be sure to ask questions, and do not be afraid to deviate or wait until you are asked if you have any questions. If your interviewer says something that piques your interest or you need clarification, politely ask them to expand. This will prevent you from forgetting your question and them forgetting what they said.
11. Show Appreciation
Be sure to thank your interviewer for the opportunity, and ask when you can expect to hear back.
After the Interview
12. Follow-Up
Do not be afraid to send a follow-up email thanking your interviewer once again. Let them know what stood out to you and what you liked. If they gave you a time you should expect to hear back, let them know you look forward to hearing from them on that day.
13. Results
Assuming your interviewer follows up with you regarding their decision, respond either way. If you were not picked for the job, thank them for their time, reiterate you enjoyed the interview, and wish them the best in their endeavors. This shows good character, and although you may not have been the best fit for that position, they may come across another job they would love to see you in.
Need More Help?
As mentioned before, finding the right job can take so much work, and sometimes after so many nos and applications, it can feel hopeless. Don’t give up. You are worth fighting for. You will find something, and we hope these tips helped. Be sure to also check out our job listings page, and as always, we are here for you.