6 Tips to help you Shine Bright on your next job interview!
Congratulations! You’ve landed the interview and now it’s time to prepare. I’ve sat in many interviews on hiring teams and I can guarantee that those that are prepared and have done their research are usually the top picks. The candidates that come prepared always shine bright and interviewers notice immediately. I know what you’re thinking…who goes to an interview unprepared. Trust me, you’d be surprised, I’ve seen it happen so many times, but not this time. I’m sharing interview tips to help you stand out and shine bright so that the hiring team remembers the experience they’ve had meeting you.
Before getting into the tips, let me say that there are way more than 6 tips to help you shine bright at your next interview. This list is some of the must-have information I want you to keep in your personal interview toolbox.
Review the job description: The recruitment life cycles are taking weeks and sometimes months on end before you actually make it to the interview stage of the process. Keep in mind that some employers take down job descriptions once they’ve reached a certain number of applicants. It is always best practice to save the job descriptions you apply to. But not to worry, if it’s been some time and you don’t have the job description… ASK for a copy! If they have invited you to the interview, when you accept you can ask for a copy of the full description. Review the job description and see what skills and experience they are looking for the ideal candidate to have.
Research the employer: When you say yes to an interview, you are saying yes you are interested in learning more and potentially working for this organization. When you do your own research you find out more about what the employer values and you can make the determination if this place aligns with your own values. If it does not, you may want to reconsider the interview. If the company’s mission and vision aligns for the kind of employer you want to be connected to, researching the employer can only help you better prepare for the interview. Oftentimes employers like to start interviews with, “ What do you know about our organization?” or “ What attracted you to this position and our organization?” Researching the organization will help you be better equipped to answer these kinds of questions.
Write down questions for the employer: I can’t tell you how many times I sit in the interview and we conclude with our formal questions and then we turn it over to the candidate and say “Do you have any questions for us?” and the answer is No. YES YOU DO! Ok I’m sorry for raising my voice, lol. But yes you do have questions. If given the opportunity and if you accept this job, this is an employer you will spend lots of your valuable time with. Of course you have questions, questions about the job, the employer, the team, the culture, benefits offered, you name it. You do have questions, so make sure to write at least 3-5 questions down to show just how interested you are. If you need help with this check out this free list of interview questions to help with crafting the best questions for your interview.
Research the Commute: Don’t wake up the day of the interview and pop the location into google maps for the first time. You don’t want to do this to yourself, especially if it’s not nearby. Find out how long the commute is and if you can drive the distance before interview day even better.The last thing you want to do is show up late. It shows an employer that you can’t be taken seriously and that you are not a respecter of others' time. In addition, don’t stress yourself out by running late or almost running late. The only thing you want to worry about on interview day is…going over your responses so that you can shine bright!
Find appropriate interview clothes: I always advise my clients to dress to impress. This is the big day and this is their first impression of you that they will have. Remember, you want to look nice but you also want to be comfortable. If you know those heels are too high don’t do it to yourself find a lower one. If you know your pants are a little on the snug side, let's find a different pair. The last thing you want is for you to be distracted because your pants have cut off your circulation or your feet are screaming in agony. Be practical! If you are a person that wears a lot of jewelry, consider minimizing it for the day. Story time: I once had an interview and the candidate must have liked bracelets because this person had a ton on their wrist. This person also liked to speak with their hands as a form of expression. It was totally fine, however every time the person tried to say something the bracelets would clink together. I had to keep asking the candidate to repeat themselves because it was really difficult to hear.
Practice your responses to the interview questions: The web has tons of potential interview questions you may be asked and it would benefit you to prepare ideal responses back. This will allow for the interview to flow more like a conversation rather than having to pause and think about every single question. Be prepared with examples that you can connect to your responses. Your examples will show that you have the direct experience they are looking for because you are able to give real scenarios connected to the questions asked.
I know interviews can be nerve wrecking but remember the employer is interested in you just as much as you are interested in them. They’ve called you in to learn more about the unique skills and qualifications you have to offer because they see value. Now it’s time for you to hold your head high, be confident, and SHINE BRIGHT!
Your Career Friend,
Shatoya
If you are looking for more interview prep support, Connect with Me!
