Interviewing is an art, therefore in order to be prepared, you must practice. Below are some tips for successful interviewing. Be sure to test them out with friends, family and at least twice a year at businesses of interest or a possible career change, you may want to make in the future.
- Be honest. It is ok to say you are nervous or appropriately excited about the interview.
- Be prepared. Prepared people exude confidence (good eye contact, appropriate tone and hand gestures/movement).
- Research the company and people that will be interviewing you. Know and be able to speak to the company mission, values, audience, organizational structure (CEO and person over your area of interview) and how you relate or have like experience.
- Assess your own skills and career path in the context of the position. Know what value you add – why you believe you will be a great fit. Give examples.
- If less experienced – Weave in with what got you where you are at present including personal traits (hard work, persistence), existing work (internships, mentorships, volunteerism), education, those you know and hold in high esteem (family, friends, network).
- If more experienced – Weave in resolutions to action (what you have been able to accomplish in like companies (retention, budget, enculturation), education and externships, and projects you have been successful in launching and maintaining.
- Create a list of questions to ask about the company and the position. You should always have at least 2 questions to ask.
- Be ready to answer, if an internal position – what your plan will be if you do not receive the position, whether lateral or promotional. If external, whether you have other offers or commitments by a certain time frame.
- Ask about next steps of the process, how long you will have to wait, whether they will contact you or if you will have to communicate back to them. If you do not receive the position, ask if they are willing to tell you why and whether you may be a better fit somewhere else in the organization.