You see your dream job online and immediately you apply with the hopes of hearing something back. Days later you receive a call and are asked to come in for an interview.
Finally!
Immediately you are filled with both excitement and nervousness because this is the opportunity you had been waiting for and now you finally get your moment!
DO Your Research: To be considered as the most qualified candidate, take the time to review the job description and have a clear understanding of the position prior to the interview. During the interview, the interviewer may provide a more in-depth review of the position but do know the basics of the position. Conduct your own research on the company using LinkedIn, Google, the company’s About Me on their website, etc and know key facts.
DON’T Overdue it however: Excited to impress the interviewer with your research of the company? Avoid information overload. General information will usually suffice so be careful not indulge in rambling off irrelevant “fun facts”. Unless you’re a Jeopardy contestant. “
“Alex-What is hire me please for 500?”
DO Dress to Impress: We’ve all heard “You only get one chance to leave a first impression”. So why not make it a great one? Professional attire that is both conservative and in dark neutral colors are usually a good go to.
DON’T Mistake Company Culture as the Green Light to be Too Casual while interviewing:
Maybe the company you are interviewing has a casual dress policy or everyone is in uniform. Don’t take that as your sign to relax in your dress however. Always remain professional. Remember you don’t work there..yet.
DO Review your resume’: Be prepared to communicate and discuss your career/job history in detail. A good practice is to review your resume’ in preparation for the interview and be able to recall dates of employment, job duties, as well as any accomplishments you’d like to mention. Also bring a few extra copies.
DON’T Hide Behind your Resume’: Don’t leave the interviewer guessing times, dates, and events just because you provided your resume’ to them initially. Be able articulate your career history when prompted. Remember a resume’ can only explain so much. You be the narrator to your own story.
DO a Professional Follow Up: After the interview it’s always a nice touch to send a thank you card or email within 24 hours to those that interviewed you. By doing so it is a great way to follow up and further express your continued interest in the position. Don’t have their contact information? Ask for a business card before you leave.
DON’T Harass the interviewer: A little follow up can go a long way. A lot of follow up may come off as desperate. During your interview ask when is the position expected to be filled and base your follow up from there. However if it has been a least 2 weeks or more and you haven’t heard anything back after your initial follow up, it’s perfectly fine to follow up again.
DO Sell Yourself: This is your time to shine! Go into the interview with confidence and your head held high that you are the best person for the job. Come prepared to answer any questions they may have and also come with a few questions of your own to keep the interview engaging. Remember you are interviewing the company as well and this will be a mutual commitment.
DON’T trash your current or previous company/supervisor/manager: It’s obvious that you want to make a change. If not why else would you be interviewing? But the interview is not the time to jump up on your soapbox and air out your grievances on your current company or manager. When asked why you are looking to leave or why you left; avoid the desire to speak negatively on the company or it’s management team. One will assume if you do it for your past or present then this will be a behavior that will continue with your future employer.