By: Paula Kerr, Evolv Career Services
Preparing for an interview can be a task like no other and also very stressful. With this in mind, we’ve prepared a guide to get you through the journey — including the follow-up interview or even a job offer. No guarantees here; just some basic ideas to guide you along.
So, before the interview…
Do Your Homework – Learn About the Company
Spending time researching the company is highly recommended and can make quite the impression on a potential employer. Find out when the company was established, what is its mission and purpose, its financial position in the industry (net worth, assets, number of employees, etc.). The name of its CEO, its president (whether they are the original or current owner/ CEO/president, etc.). And, maybe even look up some possible quotes [about the company] that resonate with you, that you can use in a possible response to some of those knowledge/value-based questions. This shows the interviewer that you took the time to do your “homework” and that you are serious about the position you are seeking to obtain.
Practice Possible Answers
Use Google to search for possible questions a company might ask in an interview. Print, or write down some of those sample questions and practice answering them in a role-play scenario. Recite your response one at a time, sometimes in random order, until you memorize the main point in each of your responses. When asked the infamous “So tell me about yourself…” question, you can choose to respond giving a brief summary of your education, experience, personality traits, or you can focus on the goals you wish to accomplish within this potential position, as well as other qualities you may possess that will match the requirements for the position.
Plan Ahead – Prepare What You Will Wear & Documents
Consider wearing a business suit, instead of jeans, sandals, or flashy colors. Research what others have worn to that specific interview. On the night before the interview lay out your outfit so you can see if it will work. Check for wrinkles or tread-wear, make sure the length of your skirt/slacks are not too short and be sure to iron your outfit if needed. Wear jewelry and accessories that are in good taste. And, don’t forget to bring a folder or padfolio with a notepad, a pen to take notes, several copies of your current resume. If you don’t have an up-to-date resume, Evolv Career Services can help you put one together.
While in the interview…
Maintain Eye Contact and Good Posture
Maintain eye contact with the interviewer but don’t stare continuously at the interviewer. You can avert your gaze periodically so you don’t feel, or make the interviewer feel uncomfortable. Maintaining eye contact shows them that you are engaged in what they are saying and you also show a level of confidence. Do not slouch in the chair; instead, maintain an upright/forward posture. Leaning backward implies you are interested but, depending on the interviewer, either or all of your body language could be misinterpreted, so you will want to pay close attention to these tips.
Become the Interviewer
Why not? You want to learn about the company too. So it is okay to ask the interviewer questions (usually reserved until the end of the interview). Research ahead of time and write down questions you might want to ask when you are invited to do so. They might say: “Do you have any questions for me?” Or, you might say: “Would you mind if I ask you a few questions about your role and the position I’m interviewing for?” Some of your questions could be about how did he/she get their current position, or how long have they been in that role. For other general questions, feel free to ask anything ranging from the company’s culture, a brief explanation of what the job entails, or their thoughts on what qualifies a potential candidate for this role. You should only ask about pay in general terms if it has not already been stated during the interview. A fair question about pay might sound like this: “Can you tell me what the salary range (or hourly rate) is for this position?” A poor question might sound like this: “How much is the job paying?” or, “How much are you looking to pay for this position?” Remember, preparation is key to a successful job interview!
After the Interview
Follow up
You should wait a few days, but not longer than a week, to email the interviewer and thank him/her for their time, and reaffirm that you are still interested in the position. It is always best to hand-write a follow-up message; however, email is just as good, as long as the message still has that personal touch (including your signature). When composing the email, write your name and “thank you” in the subject line. In the body of the email, you can take the time to include any additional skills or experience that qualifies you for the position, and/or ask those questions you didn’t get to ask during the interview. Be sure to read through and edit the message before sending it off, or have someone else proofread it for you. By sending a thank-you or follow note, you are building a relationship you have already started, and they will remember you, too!
