Job Interview
Now that your resume has passed the ATS system, it is time for a job interview. It is your chance to prove that what is on paper is true. The resume does about 25% of the job of convincing your recruiter that you are the right candidate. The rest depends on what you say and how you behave during the face to face interview. You must look knowledgeable as you indicated on the resume. You must look relaxed and confident, to show that you are in the right place and that you can work well with the team. Here are a few tips on preparing well to ace a job interview.
Research
There is nothing that will turn off your employees faster than looking clueless about the job. Read and understand the job description thoroughly. Know what the job responsibilities will be. This is very important because one question that never misses is, ‘What makes you think you are a good fit for the job?’ if you don’t know how your skills relate to the job, you are out. If you are on LinkedIn, it would be a good idea to set up a conversation and network with someone with the same title to gain a deeper understanding of the role.
It is also crucial to know as much as you can about the organization. How old is it? What is its corporate culture like? You can find out what the organization perceives itself by going through their ‘About Us’ page on their website.
Do a bit of company stalking to get the general vibe of the team. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will show you the other side of the staff. Are they stiff and formal, or easy and outgoing? Does the company care much about Corporate Social Responsibility? These are things that you can use to bond with the interviewing panel members who are part of the staff.
If you have the time, create an image of an authority in your field by posting relevant and informative stuff on your social media profiles. You can start a blog and write a few well-researched pieces. Therefore, this earns you a lot of positive scoring points in a job interview.
Dress appropriately
Many creative types of companies; designers, tech, charities, TV, and movie are not big on formal dressing. However, it does not mean that you come into the interview in a short and stripped jeans. It is better to err on the side of caution and dress a little more formally than you think is appropriate. Even where it is not necessary to suit up, it would be appropriate to dress in smart casual. The fact is that first impressions matter. If you come in looking shaggy and unkempt, the interviewers are less likely to take you seriously.
Control your personality
Being relaxed and confident helps you answer the questions in a more focused manner. While it is prudent to keep in mind that you could be talking with your next boss, it is still important to show that you have a personality. Take the interview as you would when doing a one-on-one conversation with your friend trying to convince him/her about something serious e.g. taking up a mortgage.
Ask questions when you need clarification on a question you did not understand rather than blunder on an ill-understood question. Laugh if there is a good joke. Accept water or coffee when offered. You never know how long the job interview will last.
Be ready to sell yourself
There is a difference between empty bragging, and highlighting what you think makes you suitable for the job and not the next person. It is totally appropriate to give examples of PARs (Problem-Action-Results) in your experience. It helps to show how you bring solutions that help do things in a smarter, faster and more efficient manner.
Be sober
Resist the urge to perk yourself up with some Dutch courage. It is fairly easy to spot someone high on something, so be sure that the interviewers will see it and end the interview promptly. Being sober also means taking control of your emotions. You may want the job desperately, but falling on your knees and sobbing for it will not help.
Would you like to perform better at your next job interview? Work with a professional resume writing service and see your chances improve.