Are you looking for a new job? Or have an interview coming up? Doing some preparation before going to your interview is a must. With these tips, you’ll be able to plan, prepare, and confidently breeze through your interview!
Research the company
The reason why companies interview candidates for a job is to find someone that will benefit them the most. By researching the company, you can identify:
- key issues the company is facing and how you can help to solve them
- important values the company holds and how you relate to these
- how you would fit in at the company
Dress to Impress
By researching the company, you can also find out how formal their dress code is and how to dress in order to fit in and impress your interviewers. Your interview is likely the first time your potential employers will see you in real life. So, it’s crucial to make a good impression with your attire. Plus, Dressing well will give you a big confidence boost, too. And, confidence is key! If you dress in something that makes you feel great while also giving your interviewers a professional impression, you will be able to walk in with confidence, shake hands with confidence, and answer questions with confidence.
Clothing Dos:
- Tops: Button downs, ties, blouses, blazers.
- Bottoms: Dress pants, skirts that go to the knee. If your legs are exposed, remember to wear tights.
- Shoes: Dress shoes, matching socks, short heels or loafers.
- Remember to neaten your hair and iron the wrinkles out of your clothes!
Clothing Don’ts:
Flip flops and sneakers, jeans, shorts, short skirts and dresses, clashing bright colors, revealing tops, heavy makeup or cologne/perfume, distressed clothing, crewneck t-shirts, and of course, yoga pants or leggings.
Bring a few copies of your resume and cover letter
Your interviewer(s) may already have printed your resume for reference, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared just in case they haven’t. If they end up needing a copy, you can show them how prepared, proactive, and organized you are!
Common Questions
Many interviewers use different variations of the same questions. By developing your answers to the most common questions, you can answer more confidently, and let your interviewer know that you are proactive. Here are some common questions that you should think about: (Check out our previous blog on how to best answer some of these questions!)
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why do you want to work here?
- Do you have any questions for me/us?
Send a “Thank you” Email
The night after the interview, send an email to the people you interviewed with to thank them for their time and consideration. This will help you stay top of mind and make them feel appreciated for their work. Remember, this email should be short and sweet. Thank them for their time, reference something you learned during the interview, and re-express your interest in joining their team!
All the best,
First Workings
