You make it through the phone interview and now it’s time for your in-person interview. In-person interviews can be intimating, but these 5 tips will help you ace the interview and get the job offer.
Doing your research on a potential employer before an interview is going to make the whole process easier. First, visit the prospective company’s website. You should review their mission statement, “about us” page, and solutions pages. This will help you to understand their business, how they do business and their long term goals as an organization. Second, make sure you research your interview to learn more about his/her background. You may have thing in common in your background that will help you connect during the interview.
Always look your best when going to an in person interview. Every company has a different culture and dress attire. Feel free to ask prior to your interview. Don’t wear a lot of perfume or cologne—this can be distracting to the interviewer. Also, be sure to bring a notepad and pen along with your resume and cheat sheet. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to the interview. Arriving early shows the interviewer your interest level in the job and your professionalism.
Body language and eye contact are very important during an interview. Remember to be confident and relax. The best interviews feel like a normal conversation between two people. Make sure you allow the interviewer to finish their questions before responding or answering. Most importantly, be confident!
When you are answering questions during the interview, relate your experience to the open position. This will help the interviewer understand how your past experiences will translate into the open role. Take some time prior to the interview to identify past accomplishments and experiences that you can relate to the open role during your interview.
It is a good idea to send a “thank you” email or letter within 24 hours of your in person interview. This note is a good opportunity to reiterate why you are a good fit for the role, add any information you may have forgotten during the interview, and to ask for the position. The in-person interview is typically the final step the interview process. It is an opportunity to represent your background beyond your resume and show what you bring to the table!
Congratulations! You have a phone interview schedule for this week with a top company in your field. This is an important step in the interview process and you want to ace it. With so much on the line, how do you impress the hiring manager?
Here are 6 steps to help you succeed during your phone interview:
Doing your research on a potential employer before an interview is going to make the whole process easier. First, visit the prospective company’s website. You should review their mission statement, “about us” page, and solutions pages. This will help you to understand their business, how they do business and their long term goals as an organization. Second, review the job description you received for the position. This is an opportunity to relate your experience to the company’s goals, clients, and solutions.
During your phone interview, you want to have a clear conversation with the hiring manager without interruptions or background noise. Make sure you are calling from a clear phone line. Try and use a land line when possible. If you are using a cell phone, make sure you have a good connection. Finally, remove anything that can be a nuisance—a barking dog, loud television, etc.
Most of us have our job titles and companies memorized, but you may not remember the start date for a position 7 years ago. A copy of your resume allows you to keep the dates straight and immediately answer any questions about names and employers when asked. Keeping your resume handy is also a good safety net. Also, make sure you have a cheat sheet with you. The cheat sheet can include information about you background you want to highlight and questions you’d like to ask.
Sometimes when we’re nervous or feel you need to impress someone, we talk more than we should. This phone interview is a chance for you to show how you listen and interact with your colleagues. Let the hiring manage guide the conversation, and try to ask questions without interrupting the hiring manager. Make note of your questions on your cheat sheet, so you can ask them at the end of the interview.
Make sure you prepare questions for your phone interview. Nothing impresses a hiring manager more than smart questions from an eager job candidate.
Hiring managers like to know you are interested in the positon and want the job. At the end of the interview, save some time to emphasize your interest in the position. Be sure to clearly tell me hiring manger you would like the position.
Delta Computer Consulting, Inc. is certified through the WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) as a woman-owned and woman-operated business.
