1. Arrive Five Minutes Early. This means walk into the lobby 5 minutes prior to your interview time. You don’t want to arrive any earlier because not every company has a large lobby or waiting area. If you arrive too early, the interviewer may feel obligated to start your meeting earlier than planned.
2. Dress for Success. Select clothing that fits the organization and its culture, striving for the most professional appearance you can accomplish. Think about the fit of the clothes and make sure they are wrinkle- and stain-free. Remember that it’s always better to be overdressed when in doubt. Keep accessories and jewelry to a minimum.
3. Be Prepared. Bring a pen, notebook or portfolio with paper, and several copies of your resume. Providing a resume from your notebook is an excellent first step. Next, jot notes throughout the meeting because this shows the interviewer you value their input. While writing notes, keep in mind that active eye contact indicates that you are paying attention. Be sure to make eye contact often.
4. Conduct Research. Success in a job interview starts with a solid foundation of knowledge. You should understand the employer and the requirements of the job. You should know what they do, why they do it (their mission statement), their culture (social media posts), current events (news), and the company history. Information sources include the organization’s website and other published materials, search engines, research tools, and your network of contacts.
5. Have a Conversation. Be sincere, focused, confident, and concise. The best interviews are a give and take. Be prepared to discuss the company, the role, your background, current trends in the industry, the reason for the opening, and any recent business events that may impact the interviewer, role, company or industry. Companies want to hire employees who have taken the time to learn about the roles for which they are applying.
6. Ask Insightful Questions. Studies show that when an applicant asks questions in an interview, it indicates to the employer that the applicant is interested in the job. Thus, even if the hiring manager was thorough in his or her discussions about the job opening and what is expected, you must ask a few questions. Prepare questions to ask before the interview, adding any that might arise from the interview.
7. Say Thank You. Thank the interviewer in person, send a “Thank You” email right after the interview, then, mail a handwritten “Thank You.” This will keep you top of mind a few days later and help you stand out from other applicants.
8. Please call us immediately after your interview to follow up, we may have good news already!
