The following key factors will help you succeed in your job interview. It is crucial to how you prepare for the interview, how you perform during it, and how you follow up afterward. Your next virtual or in-person interview will be a breeze if you follow these tips.
Before the interview
Research
Knowing a potential employer’s culture and what working there is like is essential so that you can make an informed decision. See what employees say about working for the company on the company’s website and sites like Glassdoor. Look for red flags in reviews and see if employees have a positive or negative outlook on the company.
Prepare questions
Asking questions at the end of a job interview is just as important as answering them since it will provide you with an idea of what it would be like to work there. Avoid asking questions that could be answered by visiting their website, and make your questions as specific as possible. To better understand a company’s culture, ask about something you’ve read on the website – I noticed that learning is one of the company’s core values. Follow up by asking them if they could talk to you about the kind of learning and development modules offered by the organization.
During the interview
Make a good first impression
As soon as you turn on Zoom, you make your first impression. Clean, clutter-free backgrounds and professional attire are of utmost importance. Consider using a virtual background instead if you cannot find a good one in your house. Greetings are more appropriate than handshakes, so say thanks for the interview invitation. When speaking to the hiring manager, ensure you look directly at the camera to convey the impression that you’re looking them in the eye. Look at them when they speak, but address the camera rather than their picture when it’s your turn.
Your resume isn’t the only thing you should talk about
Hiring managers have reviewed your resume, so they know about your work history. At the interview, you can elaborate and give more details about your accomplishments and the type of work you have done. Be sure to support your answers with accurate statistics whenever possible, as this can help show them how you might be a valuable resource to the organization.
Don’t answer with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when answering a yes or no question
You should always provide them with detailed, well-thought-out answers. A one-word response tells the hiring manager nothing about you, so don’t waste an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities. Describe how you used a program or software if you have experience working with it. You can explain how you think it’s relevant if you have experience with something comparable.
After the interview
Keep in touch with the hiring manager
It is essential to follow up after the interview, regardless of how well or poorly you think it went. Sending a simple thank you message to the hiring manager will go a long way.
In your follow-up, include a brief interview summary, a quick takeaway, and your reasons for applying for the job. For a more creative approach, you could send a video message or a link to your website if you have a work portfolio.
Keep in touch when there is a second round of interviews or a decision about the next steps. In case you have not heard from the hiring manager within a few days after they said they would contact you, be proactive and send them an email. Just a few sentences should suffice for this email.
Wrap up
These guidelines will help you manage the job interview process effectively. Staying out of your own way and preparing for an interview is the most important thing to do before an interview.
Being professional during an interview means being at your best. Keeping that mindset will most likely help you. The tips on our list don’t need to be memorized for you to have a successful job interview. If you stay calm and prepare well, many tips mentioned above will come naturally.
After an interview, the best thing to do is to follow up when it’s time and to keep yourself calm. Taking your mind off things and doing something productive can be helpful if you do not have any other job interviews lined up.
