You just received a call to interview with the company of your dreams. Do you know how to prepare for the interview to feel confident, have a good experience, and stand out from the rest? Try following the steps below and you will not only be well prepared, but present yourself as a true professional.
1. Research the company.
Do your homework, for example, go to the company’s website and read about the vision, strategy, competitive advantages, products, finances, departments, etc. from employers. If the company doesn’t have a web presence, look them up at the library, call the Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce, find out who they are, what products they sell, and a little about their competitors.
2. Prepare your elevator speech.
This is your two-minute opportunity to tell the interviewer about your major accomplishments. Please note that this is not the same as your responsibilities. Employers want to know what he did, not what he was accused of doing.
3. Prepare your talking points.
Make a list of your 4 greatest strengths and the 4 things you are currently working on for your professional growth. Be prepared to give examples of each.
4. Identify the process innovations/improvements you made at your most recent job.
Employers want to know how their hire will improve their organization and contribute to the execution of their strategy. (Assuming you did your homework in Step 1, you can offer examples of innovations or income-saving ideas that will be of interest to the potential employer.)
5. Dress for success.
The way you dress makes a statement about yourself. No matter what job you’re applying for, it’s a good idea to wear a freshly laundered suit…even in a business casual setting.
6. Arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment.
In addition to making sure you’re not in a hurry, you can learn a lot by using this strategy. Observe company employees as you sit in the lobby. Do they greet each other and greet you? Are they smiling and happy or exhausted and frustrated?
7. Participate in a dialogue.
A conversation is a two-way exchange. Be curious and ask lots of questions to gain a good understanding of how the company, department, and management operates. Ask about job responsibilities and company culture, for example, employee recognition programs, opportunities for personal and professional development, current and future challenges of the position, etc.
8. Tell the truth.
When answering the employer’s questions, tell the truth! If you made a mistake, say so in a positive way, accept responsibility for it, what you learned, and how you have benefited from the experience.
9. Don’t talk about salary or benefits.
The goal is to get as many options as possible, so don’t talk about compensation too early in the game, it can be a deal breaker. Sell the employer everything you can do for him. If they are interested, they will make an offer and then you can start negotiating both topics.
10. 50% of the responsibility for finding the right job is yours.
Remember, you are interviewing the employer just like he is interviewing you.
