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A Crash Course In What To Do Before Going Into A Job Interview

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The more you research, prepare and practice before the interview, the better your chances of succeeding. In fact, the greater your knowledge is of the job at hand, the industry and your prospective employer, the more relaxed and confident you will feel.

Self-confidence will serve you well when interviewing for a new job, as interviewers pick up on this. If you come across confident and adept, you will be viewed favorably.

You can empower yourself by thoroughly reviewing the job description, conducting due diligence on the company, researching the interviewers on LinkedIn, cleaning up your social media footprint, role-playing interview questions and preparing the questions you’ll ask beforehand.

Be Courteous About The Dates And Times Of The Interview

Be reasonable and understanding when scheduling interview times. Politely ask the interviewers what days and times work best for them. Avoid requesting an early Monday meeting or late on Friday, especially during the summer or on the eve of a holiday weekend. By doing this, the company will recognize that you are empathetic and polite. It will immediately make you look good in their eyes.

Closely Read The Job Description

One of the first things you must do is thoroughly read the job description. You want to lead by letting the interviewer know you’re well-informed about the company and the job advertisement requirements. It's appreciated when you can clearly and concisely match your background with what’s required for the role.

The interviewer will ask, “What do you know about our company?” In preparation for the meeting, you must scour the company’s website and the internet to learn as much as possible about the firm, its management team, products and services and reputation. You should also have a basic knowledge of what is happening in the industry and any challenges the company might face.

Showing you did your due diligence signals to the interviewer that you are smart, capable and interested in the job opportunity.

Find Who You Know At The Company

Tap into your network to find out if you have any connections at the organization. If so, reach out to them and politely grill them for all the insider information you can get, which will offer a competitive advantage. If you have a close relationship with a senior-level person at the company, ask them to put in a good word with human resources, the hiring manager or anyone involved in the interview process. The recommendation will go a long way and make you stand out, as this person has personally vouched for you.

Practice Outloud Your Elevator Pitch

Although you know what you do in your job and did in prior positions, it always sounds better in your head than when you say it out loud for the first time. To convey this seamlessly in an interview, outline an elevator pitch—a clear and concise 30-second to a one-minute advertisement about yourself. Keep practicing the pitch until you are on autopilot. Although you will have rehearsed it numerous times, avoid coming across robotically. The key is to let your genuine and authentic self shine through.

Role Play Answering Commonly Asked Interview Questions

There are several frequently asked interview questions, such as, “Tell me about yourself. Where do you see yourself in five years? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why do you want to work for this company? Tell me about a time when you faced a challenge at work." Research these types of questions and role-play answering them with a friend or colleague, who can offer honest and constructive feedback on your responses.

Conduct A LinkedIn Search Of Your Interviewers, As They Are Snooping On You Too

Interviewers and other people involved in the hiring process will peek at your LinkedIn profile and search your social media postings on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other sites. You want to make sure that there is nothing inflammatory that could cause a problem.

In the same right, you should conduct an online search of the interviewers to learn more about them. Seek out what interests and things you have in common. For instance, maybe you live in close proximity, attended the same college or are fans of the same sports teams. Small talk is an underappreciated skill. It's a superpower. By having insights into the interviewers, you can break the ice by bringing up last night’s game or talking about your alma mater. You’ll create a quick bond, lending to a much more excellent collegial conversation.

Get The Inside Scoop From Your Recruiter

Ask your recruiter to share everything they know about the company, the people you’re meeting with, the corporate culture and any nuances you should know about. The headhunter will know about layoffs on the horizon, whether workers are happy or not and if there is a turnstile of employee turnover. If the search agent worked with the hiring manager in the past, ask what you need to know about the person, so you’ll have a vibe about the interviewer before you enter the room or video call.

What To Do Right Before The Interview

Don’t wait until the last minute for Zoom video interviews to check your internet connectivity, lighting, sound quality and background. Similarly, if you are going into an office, map out your commute days before the interview to gauge the timing and ensure you know where you are going. Arrive onsite early, have several copies of your résumé on hand and dress appropriately.

Before the interview commences, give yourself a pep talk. Use self-affirmations or mantras. Get your body moving to get your blood flowing and energy pumped up.

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