2. There’s no other feeling like the one
you get when you land a job interview.
If you’re like most people, the thought
of it fills you with a mix of dread and
excitement - it could be the beginning
of a great new career, but the fact that
there’s so much at stake can make it
nerve wracking. And there are so many
questions: what do you wear? What
questions should you ask? What should
you bring?
Here are a few things that will help make
a job interview a good experience for
both you and your potential employer.
Best Practices for
Job Interviews
2 | Best Practices for Job Interviews
3. Do Research Online
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The moment you learn that you’re going to be interviewing
somewhere, you should do some deep research into who they
are and what they’re about. Surely you did a bit of this when you
first learned about the position, but now is the time to figure out
key details that could help you through your interview process.
Dig deep into their website to get an idea of the key figures at the
company and past projects they’ve worked on. Then do a wider
search. Look for news articles and blog posts that mention your
company.
Many companies have a presence on sites like Glassdoor, where
employees anonymously review their employers. These sites
can provide you with both the positives about working at your
prospective company, especially when it comes to salaries and the
company culture. Keep in mind that every online review should
be taken with a grain of salt, but it’s good to keep any interesting
information in mind.
4. Look Sharp
4 | Best Practices for Job Interviews
People stress out over what to wear on job
interviews- and they should! The job market is
as competitive today as it’s ever been, so how
you present yourself offers a unique opportunity
to set yourself apart. When an employer meets
you, they’re thinking about how you’ll represent
their company. They’re envisioning you talking
to customers, sitting in on client meetings, and
maybe even talking to the media.
Plan on wearing something nice and professional,
but be sure to match it to whatever you think your
industry call for. A job at a law firm may require a
suit, but you’d probably want to look more relaxed
for a creative position at an advertising agency.
One hard and fast rule: skip the cologne - you
never know if the interviewer might be allergic.
5. Practice Healthy Living
There’s nothing wrong with having a cocktail
or two after a long day at work, but consider
abstaining from drinking alcohol or smoking in the
half day or so before your interview. If you really
want to on top of your game and look as clear-
eyed as possible, this is a surefire way to do it.
In fact, you should be sure to feed your body right in
the hours leading up to the interview. For instance,
having a big burger at lunch might put you in a bit of
a food coma for your 3 p.m. interview, but a salad,
or something else similarly healthy, will help you feel
your best.
You may also want hit an a.m. yoga class or go for
a morning run. Everyone feels better after a little
physical activity, and this could help you feel clear
minded for the big interview.
5 | Best Practices for Job Interviews
6. Bring Supporting Materials
Preparing is the name of the game when going in for a job interview, so
be sure to bring along anything that might help your potential employer
get a clear idea of who you are and what your talents consist of.
For starters, always bring hard copies of your resume. Even if you’ve sent
your resume along several times before, the person you are interviewing
with may not have it at his or her immediate disposal. Bringing it along
shows that you’re prepared and detail oriented.
You should also bring any examples of past work that might help you get
your current job. For instance, if you’re a graphic designer, bring along
your portfolio - either a digital version or a hard copy - so they can get an
idea of your talents firsthand. Also, if you created any presentations or big
projects that may help you land the gig, bring them along as well. There’s a
chance these things will never leave your briefcase, but if you get a chance
to show them off, be sure to take it. Anything you can do to set yourself
apart and show your talents will be helpful in terms of landing a new job.
6 | Best Practices for Job Interviews
7. Have Questions
A job interview is a conversation. That
means both the hiring manager and the
potential employee should be asking a lot
of questions. After all, you want to make
sure you know exactly what kind of role
you may be taking on. And the questions
you ask can show the interviewer
how knowledgeable you are about the
business, as well as give them an idea of
how you think.
It can be tough to think up questions on
the spot, so prepare a list of questions
before you go into the interview. You
may even want to write them down so
you don’t forget them. Here are a few
questions that will help you learn more
about the job, and show the interviewer
that you’re a serious candidate.
What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?
What are challenges that someone in the role might face?
Who would I report to?
How do the different departments within the company work together?
Is this a new role in the company?
What are the markers for success for someone in this position?
What do you envision for the company over the next two years?
What about my past experience makes you think I’d be right for the job?
Is there anything that concerns you?
7 | Best Practices for Job Interviews
8. Get the Vibe of the Office
What makes a good workplace? The answer
will no doubt vary from person to person, but
generally it’s a welcoming workspace and friendly
coworkers. And then, of course, there are the
intangibles, like an overall good vibe.
When you go into a company for an interview, try
to get a read on the office. Do the employees look
stressed out? Relaxed? Busy? Is it deathly quiet?
Overly social? Does the office feel like a place
where you’d like to spend eight to ten hours of
your day?
Very few workplaces are going to be absolutely
perfect, but keep an eye out for clues as to what
it’s like to work there. If you end up getting offered
the job, you want to be sure that you’re going to
work for a place that you enjoy.
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9. Get There Early
Punctuality is everything in the working
world, and this is especially true when it
comes to interviewing. Plan on arriving
fifteen minutes before the time of your
interview. You never know what traffic,
parking, or some other obstacle will
add extra time to your arrival.
On the flip side, you don’t want to arrive
too early. Kill a few minutes somewhere
outside the office making sure you have
everything you need. You should make
your presence known about 10 minutes
before the time of your interview.
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10. Stay Calm
For some people, nervousness is their
worst enemy when it comes to applying
for a job. But really, there’s nothing to
be nervous about. One thing that can
help calm nerves is by thinking of it as a
conversation rather than an interview.
Remember, an interview is really just you
and another person getting to know each
other. Yes, a new, potentially amazing
new job, is on the line, but don’t think
about that now. Focus on presenting
your best self - and your best self is
cool, calm, and collected, not a bundle
of nerves. If all else fails, practice deep,
steady breathing to bring your heart
rate down.
10 | Best Practices for Job Interviews
11. Say Thanks!
After you’ve had your interview, be
sure to touch base with the interviewer
and thank them for their time. A polite
email will generally work. If possible,
try to include specifics in the thank you
note, like, “It was great hearing about
the plans you have for the company.”
This will help make the note feel
personal and real.
Depending on the role and your industry,
you can also send a handwritten card.
Since snail mail can be somewhat
unpredictable, have the card on you
during the interview so you can write
the note and drop it into a mailbox
immediately afterward, ensuring that
they’ll get it in the next day or so.
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12. Look for Feedback
After your interview, one of three things will happen: you’ll get an offer,
you’ll learn you didn’t get the job, or you’ll have to play a bit of a waiting
game. If you run into one of these final two scenarios, there is nothing
wrong with contacting the interviewer and asking for feedback.
If they tell you that they will “be in touch” or are “rethinking the position,”
don’t be afraid to ask them if there’s anything else you can do or provide
that might assuage any doubts or concerns. This is also the time where
you can reiterate your interest in the position. Employers want to hire
someone who wants to work for them.
If you don’t get the job, you can ask these same questions, but you can
also be a bit more pointed. You can ask them if there was something
specific that you said or did in the interview that made them think you
weren’t a good fit for the job, or if there is something about your resume
or experience that was working against you. While it may be unpleasant to
hear some of these things, in the end knowing this information might help
you land your next job.
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13. Be Positive!
This is more a general rule that
should govern the entire interview
process. Looking for a job can be so
many things - exhilarating, stressful,
life-changing, and eye-opening.
So go into the whole process with
a positive outlook and be open to
whatever the process might bring.
13 | Best Practices for Job Interviews All images are subject to copyright.
