With May graduations behind us, the interviewing season is kicking in! These quick tips will help job seekers of any age prepare for interviews and feel confident during the interviewing process.
Preparing for Interviews
Take the time to prepare questions, anticipate an interviewer’s questions, and rehearse your answers. You should even choose your outfit in advance. Getting organized before the interview will reduce any anxiety you’re feeling and help you feel more positive in a potentially stressful situation.- Familiarize yourself with the company—its products, services, size, and potential for growth and expansion.
- Review the company website.
- Take a look at the company’s social media pages.
- Use a search engine to learn more about the company from news articles, press releases, reviews, and other sources.
- Prepare appropriately for the type of interview that you have.
- In-person interviews
- Plan ahead. Be sure to know your route, look for parking options in advance if you need them, and allow extra time for traffic or public transportation.
- Arrive early. Try to be there 15 minutes before your appointment.
- Gather samples of your previous work. If you have a portfolio or examples of past projects, bring them to the interview to use as talking points when you discuss your experience.
- Virtual interviews
- Make sure you have a strong internet connection. Turn your camera on beforehand to see if your background will make a positive first impression.
- Remember to log on at least five minutes early and sit up straight.
- Have your online portfolio or digital work samples open on your computer and share your screen during the interview to highlight your previous experience.
- In-person interviews
Managing the Interview
Start off strong by dressing appropriately, making good eye contact, and having the documents that you need on hand. Display a positive attitude, relax, and use these tips to have a great interview!
- Know the job posting. Be ready to answer questions related to the responsibilities of that role and think about how you meet the company’s needs for that role.
- Be ready to sell yourself as the best candidate for the job.
- What can you tell me about yourself?
- What jobs have you held?
- What interests you most about this position?
- Why do you want to work here?
- Share your experiences and decisions. Behavioral questions are a way to explain how you might conduct yourself on the job—here are a few examples:
- Tell me about a time when you needed to assume a leadership position in a group. What were the challenges, and how did you help the group meet its goals?
- Describe a situation in which you needed to be creative in order to solve a problem. What was the problem and how did you solve it?
- Describe a situation when you made a mistake. Tell me how you corrected the mistake and what measures you put in place to ensure it did not happen again.
Your Turn—You Get to Ask the Questions!
Be sure to demonstrate interest in the position, ask questions that will help you determine if this job is a good fit for you, and inquire about the interviewing process.
- What is the company culture?
- How do you support professional development and career growth?
- What is the next step in this process?
The interview is a two-way street. The company wants to get to know you, and you have the chance to learn more about the company’s culture, products, and potential—so take advantage of that opportunity. After the interview, follow up with a thank you note, and keep an eye out for future communications from the company. Whether you get a job offer, you’re invited to a second interview, or you learn that another candidate was selected, take some time to evaluate your experience, learn from the interview, and move forward with confidence.
If you’re an educator looking for resources to develop the skills your students need to find and retain employment, G-W can help. Connect to Your Career presents proven strategies to find a career, develop a career plan, create a career portfolio, and work on a roadmap for the job-search process. Free Previews are available. Reach out to your G-W Educational Consultant if we can help you along the way.
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We wish you the best of luck with your job hunt!
Source for this blog: Connect to Your Career
