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With the help of a dynamic resume or valuable contacts, you’ve managed to obtain that essential interview. Now is the time to focus on those elements that can make or break your opportunity.
As we all know, making an impression is the primary goal of meeting prospective employers and instilling in them the belief that you are the best of the candidate pool. Here are some tips that will work in your favor.
1. Prepare – At the time you are notified of the interview, ask the scheduler the names and titles of the people that will be part of the interviewing process.
Then, find out what you can about them and any information that will help in your interview. See if they have a LinkedIn profile and whether you have any contacts that know them that might be able to provide any helpful tips. Likewise, research the company itself and any recent media coverage. Showing that you have taken the time to prepare will play in your favor and enable you to direct specific questions.
2. Review – Know your resume thoroughly and take extra copies with you. Think of your resume as the sales brochure for the brand YOU. If you hesitate on answering questions about elements contained in your resume, your credibility will definitely suffer. Review your resume for areas that you could expand on if questions arise about specific experiences.
One of the most critical aspects of reviewing your resume should be to determine valid and logical explanations for any areas of concern. If you have a lapse in employment or several moves in a short period of time, make sure that you can explain them in concise and plausible ways (eg. mergers, reorganizations, restructuring). Never utilize an interview as a forum to voice negative or critical things about a past employer and avoid being a victim in terms of past employment.
3. Balance – The biggest mistake that most candidates make is to say too much or too little in an interview. If you say too much, you tend to sound like you’re nervous or uncertain of an answer. Saying too much also presents the opportunity to sound negative or arrogant. Say too little and you also sound like you’re nervous, intimidated or not prepared. Make your answers direct, on point and confident.
If you’re not sure exactly what the interviewer is looking for, ask a clarifying question such as, “What aspect of my experience in that area would you like me to detail?”
4. Calm – If you suffer from interview jitters, consciously take a deep breath before answering and smile. Avoid letting your hands or feet fidget by placing them flat. And, remember that the people interviewing you have, at some stage in their career, been in the job seeker seat.
5. Follow-Up – Always, always send a thank-you to everyone who was part of the interviewing process. Determine what the timeframe for a decision will be and if time allows, mail a note. If the timeframe is relatively short, email each person indicating your gratitude for being considered and reiterating your interest in joining the organization.
Make sure that you have the name of each person and the organization spelled correctly. Nothing can kill a successful interview faster than following up with the wrong individual or company name.
If you’ve followed all of these hints, you should finish the interview feeling confident. If something doesn’t go according to plan, use the experience to better prepare for the next interview
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