Get your dream job

March 2, 2015

The other day, I had an intern approach me at work and she wanted to set up time on my calendar to go over interview tips and tricks. I was a little surprised for a couple of reasons – first, I was flattered she trusted my opinion and that she wanted to learn from me. Second, I felt a little old! I’m really not old but it never occurred to me that I’ve been in the workforce for seven years now and have some good experience under my belt. However, it feels like I just graduated college. So after the initial shock, I was more than happy to help with her upcoming interview. I shared with her my fav tips that landed her the job! This advice is helpful for someone entering the workforce with minimal experience.

Tip 1: Research, Research, Research

Research is a critical part in preparing for an interview! Regardless of where you are in your career and the position you are applying for, you will need to do your homework. First, do your research on the company. Hopefully, you know the basics because after all, you did apply with them. However do more investigation than looking at their website. I like to check out their Glassdoor reviews, LinkedIn page, financial reports, news-worthy stories, etc. Second, I look more into the person who is conducting the interview. Don’t go crazy and stalk them on social media but check out career sites where they may have a profile. Lastly, try to find out what style of interview they conduct. For example, I worked for a company that used the STAR method to interview (situation, task, action, result). If I had not prepared thoughtful scenarios based around STAR, I would have never landed the position.

Tip 2: Practice

Be prepared by knowing the basic interview questions, i.e. what’s your biggest weakness, why should we hire you, and so on. Make sure you take the time to think about how you would answer these questions. I suggest saying this aloud or practicing with a friend, family member, or trusted mentor. Interviewing takes time to perfect so don’t beat yourself up if you stumble or wish you would’ve answered differently. Not everyone is a quick thinker so by taking the time to practice, you can improve your interviewing skills.

Tip 3: Dress Professionally

This may seem like a no brainer but always dress as if you’re applying for the CEO position. Make sure you look very polished because in this world, first impressions matter. If you present yourself in the right manner, you will be considered as a serious candidate.

Tip 4: Ask Thoughtful Questions

Make sure you have a list of prepared questions that make sense to ask the interviewer. First, it shows you are really interested in the position and second, you are always trying to figure out if this is a good fit for you. You are essentially interviewing them too! By asking thoughtful questions, you will be able to know more about the company culture, job expectations, team members, style of management, growth opportunities, successes and challenges, and so much more. Don’t grill your interviewer but make sure that you are able to get answers for the key questions you have. One key question I always ask is: “Is there anything else I can speak to in order to move forward in the hiring process?”

Tip 5: Send a Thank You letter

I don’t know why, but so many people forget to thank their interviewer for their time. Write a thank you email and send it to the by the end of business day. Make sure you reiterate why you want the job and what you will bring to the table. I truly believe that if you do not follow up with this crucial step, you are out of the running so take the extra ten minutes out of your day to write a thank you letter. It will go a long way!

Good luck with the job search!