Interviews are necessary when finding a new job, especially if you’re looking for something beyond entry-level. Most people are not excited about interviewing. However, being prepared for the interview can make all the difference.
In the staffing industry, we conduct interviews every day and sit in on many interviews with our clients. Here are a few of our favorite tips for success.
Be Positive
Whatever information you are sharing during an interview, keep it positive. Never complain or speak negatively about employers, supervisors, or coworkers. You are giving your interviewer a negative view of you. They see this as your inability to accept responsibility, get along with others, or overcome challenges. In short, there is no good outcome from sharing your frustrations in an interview session.
Do Your Homework On The Employer
There is no excuse for arriving to an interview unprepared. If an interviewer asks if you have any questions, it is not acceptable to ask “what do you do?”. Research the company, visit their website, read reviews about their products or services. Based on your research come up with a couple of questions that are relevant to the job. It shows that you are interested and eager to learn.
Know Your Stories
Spend time preparing the answers you will give. While there are hundreds of questions an interviewer can ask, most of those can be answered by having a handful of well-thought-out anecdotes about things you have done to make a difference at work. Such stories should include the situation you faced, the obstacles you had to deal with, the action you took, and the results achieved.
Pay Attention To The First Impression
All humans make judgments based on first impressions. Of course, impressions can be changed, but you want to put the best foot forward when interviewing. This means:
- Dress neatly and appropriately for the work environment.
- Smell clean.
- Sit attentively with good posture.
- Smile and look engaged.
- Do not bring friends, family members, or pets to the interview.
- Leave your phone in the car or turned off.
When In Doubt, Ask
If you are scheduled for an interview, ask your recruiter what types of questions to expect, how to dress, where to find information about the company and anything else you might be wondering about. Recruiters have resources at their fingertips to help you do your best to shine when you are interviewing. Use their knowledge to your advantage.
Contact your FastTrack Staffing recruiter today to get scheduled for an interview that will change your career path!