So you’ve scored the job interview. Now it is time to put your best foot forward. TalentReach has some tips for the interview that will set you apart from the crowd.

Nail the Basics. Be on time. Dress professionally. If it’s an in-person interview, leave plenty of time to get there. If it’s a video interview, make sure you’ve got decent lighting, a plain and uncluttered background, and a quiet block of time. This is not the time for the pets and family to come crashing through your space!

Do Your Research. Before any interview, you must learn more about the company. Use the resources that you have such as search engines, their website, news outlets, social media and insider knowledge from anyone you know that might be connected to the company. 

Be Prepared to Sell Yourself. Prepare some solid examples of your work and past experience in clear, concise anecdotes. Re-read the job description and map your experience and achievements to each requirement. Have numbers and facts ready. Practicing with a friend the night before is a big help. 

Be Confident, but not Cocky. This is the time to sell yourself, but beware of coming across as a know-it-all. The interview is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the role. Make sure you come across as interested to learn more about the job and the company. 

Ask questions. Demonstrate your interest in the role and your willingness to learn more about the role and the company. Most interviewers will consider it a red flag if they ask if you have any questions and you have none.

Follow up. After the interview, send an email thanking the interviewer for their time. If there are any relevant details or qualifications that you forgot to mention during the interview, now is the time to bring them up. 

Some great questions to ask:

• How has this position evolved?
  • A good way to see if this position has been a dead end in the past.
• What are the top priorities for this position?
  • Helps you focus on what is most important if you land the job.
• What do you see as the biggest challenge for this position?
  • Know what you’re facing. It’s always suspicious if they say there are none.
• What would success look like for this position?
  • This makes them think about what the KPIs or benchmarks for the role will be.
• Can you give me examples of how I would collaborate with my manager?
  • This will give you an idea of what they value most, and how closely you’ll work with your manager.
• Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications?
  • If you know their hesitations, you can address them. It also shows you’re secure enough to discuss weaknesses.
• What do you like most about working for this company?
  • Your Interviewer will tell you what they value most and you can see if you value the same things.

With a little preparation, you’ll be able to ace the interview and stand out from the crowd. Want to know about what opportunities are waiting for you now? Give us a call at (206) 295-7141.