Interviews can be daunting, but they are necessary in order to score a job. Whether you are still in school and are looking for a part-time job to pay for gas, or are about to graduate and are in search of a career, there are a few things you should do and say to ace that interview.
Research the Company
By researching the company – and the interviewer – you will be prepared for any question thrown at you. Show interviewers that you know what the company does, how they do it and why. For bonus points, find out if the company supports any charities, what their mission statement is or any current news – like if they merged with another company or if their stocks went up or down.
Ask the Right Questions
Many women ask the wrong questions or don’t ask anything at all during an interview. Questions like, “How much will I get paid?” and “When do I get my first vacation day?” have their time and place, but not initially during the interview. By asking these first, you may sound shallow. Instead, ask about the office culture, what their expectations for an employee are, and what the company’s short and long term goals are. These will impress the interviewer and show interest in things Google won’t tell you.
Remember, though, bad questions are better than no questions. By not asking the interviewer anything, you may appear disinterested or incompetent. No matter what, always ask this one question: “If I am hired, what are the first two or three things you want me to accomplish?” This shows initiative and makes the interviewer feel as though they’ve already hired you.
Dress the Part
Contrary to common belief, a power suit is not always the appropriate interview attire. By all means, if you are interviewing for a law firm or bank, wear the suit. If this is the case, make sure it fits well and is only neutral colors like black, navy, grey and brown. However, if you are interviewing for something a bit more creative – like an art gallery or magazine – wear something clean but truer to your personality. Go ahead and match that men’s blazer with a girly pink skirt. This will allow the interviewer to get a better idea of your personal style (something important in creative fields).
Show, Don’t Tell
Never just list your qualifications; if the interviewer wanted a list, they would simply look at your resume. Instead, show them by giving concrete examples. For example, are you organized? Show them by talking about your tedious planner. Do you have good communication skills? Show the interviewer by telling them about how you were in charge of your sorority’s recruitment and delegated duties to 60 women. Whatever you say, back it up with an example.
Image Source: http://www.ghscareers.org/interview-process.php