By Abbie Vanasse
Preparing for an interview can be a daunting task, but these interview strategies will help make it an exciting process and experience! An interview is your chance to shine and to show your potential employer why you are the best candidate for the position. The more effort you put into preparation, the more confident and comfortable you will feel on the day of the interview. There are several things to keep in mind before, during, and after the interview to help you succeed. Let’s dive into some interview strategies to help you be as effective and successful as you possibly can!
Before Interview Strategies
The interview process begins way before it actually takes place. In preparing for an interview, start by doing your research. Look through the company’s website, social media, and any other resources you can find. This will give you a better idea of the culture, values, and goals they hold. Thus, setting you up to best tailor your answers to their needs. While researching, be mindful of any recent projects the company is working on. Bringing them up during the interview shows that you are up-to-date and engaged.
Practice and prepare! Answer questions by providing examples of how you have demonstrated skills or knowledge that reflect your work ethic. Prepare to answer questions that are scenario-based. Put together a list of thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Be prepared to summarize yourself and your experience in 30 seconds, explaining what you bring to the position.
During Interview Strategies
In addition to preparation beforehand, there are many things to keep in mind during an interview as well. Arrive to the location 15 minutes early. Any earlier or later could cause a bad impression. Bring copies of your professional documents for the interview committee, such as your resume, cover letter, and any other provided materials. This will reveal how prepared you are not only in the instance, but how seriously you will take the job as well. Bring something to take notes with to show engagement.
Be mindful of your facial expressions and body language. Pay close attention to your posture, maintain eye contact, and smile frequently. Nonverbal language is just as important as verbal language, and you want your interviewer to know how enthusiastic you are by being mindful of both! Discuss situations that relate to questions that the interviewer asks. Identify a situation, describe the specific action you took, and explain the outcome. This reveals you as an employee who looks as situations as a whole and problem-solves to find the best-fit solution. Provide responses that are concise while still specific.
After Interview Strategies
Within two days of the interview, send a thank you note to each member of the team that interviewed with you. In these notes, specify something that was discussed or that stood out to you during the interview to help them better remember you. Handwritten letters are preferred when writing a thank you note, but email is acceptable as well. Harvard Business Review suggests reviewing your notes after the interview takes place as well. By reviewing the information covered, you can discover errors and flaws in technique and improve on approach. To learn more interview strategies, check out this article!
You’ve Got This!
Preparing for an interview is extremely necessary. By putting in extra work to prepare for before, during, and after an interview, you will set yourself up for extreme success. Remember to stay positive, be yourself, and show the interviewer why you are the best candidate for the job at hand. Take these interview strategies with you as you prepare to apply for your next job, and ace that interview!
Post Written By: Abbie Vanasse
