Loading ...Tips to help you shine during your next job interview
In today’s tight job market, it’s more important than ever to standout from other candidates. The face-to-face interview is your opportunity to shine. Here are some basic tips to follow when invited for an interview and some things to keep in mind to help you make a good first impression. Thinking through the details will reduce your stress level and help you feel more prepared.
- First and foremost, be early! If you are unfamiliar with the area, drive by a day early to prevent the possibility of being late because you were lost.
- Dress to impress! Your personal appearance reflects your professionalism and how seriously you are taking this job opportunity.
- Smile, shake hands, use the interviewer’s name, and make eye contact.
- Be yourself! Your goal should be to represent your true self, in the best possible light of course. Pretending to be someone you are not won’t get you very far.
These things may seem like “no-brainers”. It is normal to be a bit nervous, so be sure not to overlook the small details.
- Be aware of your language and how you articulate your words. Using slang (such as like, ya know, and kinda) can make you sound uneducated and unprofessional. Take care not to use the same word repeatedly – for example; don’t begin every answer with “basically” or “well”.
- Stay away from negatives especially when talking about former employers or co-workers. For example, if you had a boss who was a micromanager, you might turn that around by explaining that you prefer a position with some independence.
- Provide honest and sincere answers with supporting examples that highlight your true life experiences. Be specific! Stay away from generalities; interviewers want to know what you did, not what you would do in a given situation. Don’t force the interviewer to continually prompt you for specific answers – offer them up.
- Show confidence in your abilities. Know your strong points and be prepared to discuss them.
- Have reasonable career goals in mind and be ready to discuss your plans to achieve them.
- Take the time to think before you speak! Interviewers understand a moment of silence is helpful to collect your thoughts on an important topic or to recall details.
- Practice interviewing with someone you respect professionally and are comfortable taking constructive criticism from.
- Research the company – know their business so that you can discuss their products and/or services.
- Prepare a few questions to ask about the company or the position, but don’t drill the interviewer.
Ask about next steps in the employment process and when you might follow up.
- Reiterate your interest in the job, and always follow up by thanking the interviewer for the meeting. A quick phone call or an email is appreciated and will be remembered.
Success factors that employers look for are:
- Positive attitude toward work
- Interpersonal skills and teamwork
- Communication skills (verbal and written)
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Accountability and self-motivation
- Leadership
- Flexibility
- Confidence
Demonstrating your competence in these areas will help you rise above the competition!
Julie Ashurst is the Human Resources Recruiter for Arizona Central Credit Union, where she has worked since 2006. She moved to Arizona in 1983 and resides in Glendale with her family.
Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency.
These are standard tips found on every job related website. The more important question in today’s job market is “What should I do to GET INVITED for the job interview”? You hardly ever receive a response when you apply for a job online. It seems like the application disappears in the world wide web. Recruiters and/or HR people don’t respond to “follow-up” phone calls, hardly ever get back to you when you leave a message. The interview itself shouldn’t be the problem. The problem is: How to GET INVITED for an interview these days. How to stand out in the crow of hundreds of applicants? Any advice?
This is a great question, and a whole new discussion! I understand your frustration. I can only answer from the recruiter point of view. It is not unusual when I post a job online to receive hundreds of resumes. (The last receptionist position I posted garnered 503 from just one job board!) Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to respond to each one personally. Honestly I don’t always have the time to look at them all. I do, however, always return phone calls and emails from candidates.
My first piece of advice is: Keep your resume short – one page- and easy to read! Recruiters look at:
• Previous experience – What was your position and how long were you there (Be specific on dates of employment!)
• Specific skills – what have you learned in past positions, what can you do for us?
• Education and training
• References – have you offered names of previous supervisors?
Cover letters are fine, but no more than one to two paragraphs about what you are looking for and why you are interested in the job. I highly recommend that you email your resume if you are able.
Second: Don’t apply for a position that does not match your qualifications. If you are obviously over- or under-qualified, your resume will be set aside. As employers in this market we have the opportunity and the responsibility to find candidates who are both appropriately qualified and the best match for the position and company culture. It is a disservice to both the candidate and the existing team to place someone in a position that does not use their talents wisely. One thing I am very careful of these days is watching for those who are highly overqualified – desperate to take anything. While they may be capable to perform the job, they may not be a right fit for the job, which is equally important.
Third: Do make the effort to contact a recruiter if you have applied for a position that you feel qualified for. Attempt to get a phone number and an email, and leave a message. Even if they don’t get back to you right away, they are surely still keeping track of messages. Know that when a job is posted, sometimes it can be weeks before actual interviews are conducted, so be patient and keep in touch. Once a week contact is acceptable, until you get an interview or hear the job is filled or you are not being considered.
The competition is incredible in the job market today. Job seekers need to follow the applicant protocol of the company they are interested in, stay positive, and keep trying to connect with recruiters without getting discouraged. Networking is a powerful tool in any job-search strategy, both in person and online. It is not enough to just send your resume anymore; you have to be a promoter these days, of yourself!
Thanks for the advice!