This is a topic that I’ve recently had experience with. Let’s just say that after working for the same company for 7 years and then having a very bland resume, I wasn’t really practicing my job interviewing skills either. After re-vamping my resume using the tips mentioned in the previous blog entry, I was able to score an interview a couple interviews, but unfortunately they didn’t work out. There was one in particular where I didn’t get the position because of my own mistakes, which I will be using as an example of what to do/what not to do so that you’re prepared, unlike the guy pictured below
The first job interview I was able to score out of college ended up not working out because of my own mistakes and to help you prevent that disastrous situation, here is what to do:
- When you get the e-mail from the hiring manager or recruiter, MAKE SURE that you read the name correctly. DO NOT read “Eric” when the e-mail is from an “Erica” like I stupidly did. Right off the bat, it makes you look bad since you can’t even get the name right from the ONE PERSON that you’re trying to impress. It basically translates to: not detail oriented and makes small but big mistakes.
- Follow up in a timely manner. These hiring managers/ recruiters have a lot of candidates to speak to so the sooner you can get back to them and schedule your phone interview and charm the pants off them, the better.
- Do your research!! Try to find these people on LinkedIn and find a common connection between you two. Did you go to the same school? Do you have a common interest? Do you share a mutual friend? The more relatable you are, the easier the interview is going to be.
- Prepare yourself with questions. Every single interview I have ever had ended with, “Do you have any questions for me?” and the answer is always going to be “Yes.” Even if you don’t have a question, make one up. Ask why their company is different from other companies. Ask if they hire from within and if there’s room for growth. Ask anything to show that you have a genuine interest in the company that you’re applying for. And lastly…
- FOLLOW UP. This concept was incredibly new to me because for every job that I worked, I was hired on the spot. A follow up e-mail was never necessary because I ended up interview with a start date, but in all seriousness and joking aside, this is THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR INTERVIEW PROCESS.
No matter how awesome your interview went, the hiring manager/recruiter still has other candidates to interview… probably right after they hang up the phone with you! You NEED to make sure that they remember you. IMMEDIATELY after the phone interview, you want to e-mail them and thank them for their time and talk about the conversation and how helpful it was, and then you will mention that you look forward to hearing from them again.
These 5 tips will have you stand out from the rest of your newly graduated friends that don’t know how to interview. Even at the age of 27, the concept of a follow up was foreign to me so don’t feel bad if this is something that you didn’t know. It’s the very reason why I used it as a blog topic today.
If you thought this was helpful or if there are other helpful tips that you know of that can make a huge difference, leave them in the comments below!