- Research the company. You should have performed some research before sending in your resume, but definitely do it now before the interview. Look at the company website and its social media sites (Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest), concentrating on products and services, the manager that you would likely report to, customers and service area, and any indications of problems you might be able to solve. Your first question to a widget company should never be, “What are widgets?”
- Dress appropriately. Unless there is a picture online of all the employees, you cannot predict what style of dress a company prefers. When in doubt, aim for business casual. If you have tattoos or piercings that an interviewer might find objectionable or distracting, cover the tattoos with clothes and remove the piercings temporarily. You can express yourself once you have a better idea of the company culture.
- Read your resume. Under the pressure of an interview, you may forget major achievements. At Robin’s Resumes®, we anticipate your need to describe your achievements during an interview by writing a resume that explains context (the situation that demanded action), challenge (what you were asked to do), action (the steps you took), result (the effect on the situation and the company), and why your accomplishment was important (what your action ultimately achieved).
- Practice your interview. Practicing before you interview can help. You will know what types of questions to expect and how to answer the questions. If you need help, seek out a coach.
- Show professionalism. If you decide early on in the interview process that this job is not for you, politely thank the recruiter or hiring manager for their time and ask them to remove you from consideration. When you complete the interview for a job you would like, again thank the interviewer and follow up with a thank you note. During the interview, avoid bad-mouthing former employers—if a former position did not work out, it simply did not work out.
- Revise your game plan. After each interview, review it in your mind and identify any sticking points. Was something on your resume unclear? Did you forget to mention an important achievement? Did the interviewer have a negative comment about your LinkedIn or other social media presence? What can you do to make the next interview go more smoothly?
If your preparations leave your nervous about your interview, resume, or career plan, consider a professional resume writer and career/interview coach. Contact Robin’s Resumes®. We look forward to hearing from you.