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You’ve sent the resume. You’ve got the suit. You’ve got an interview on the calendar. Now what??
Relax, it’s simple. Do your homework, stay positive and say thanks.
Here’s how:
Research the company
This isn’t college, so you can’t wing everything. Make sure you spend at least 30 minutes consulting the web on the company that will pay your bills. During the interview, you can easily impress The Man by throwing in the one fact that you actually managed to retain.
Rehearse your answers
Think you’re good on the fly? Think again. Check out the list of Top 10 Interview Questions. Write down and rehearse your answers. Convince a friend to stand in for The Man, or the mirror will do. Make sure you’re not tongue-tied in front of your potential boss!
Secure your references
If your references will have to say something positive about you (other than your incredible tolerance for draft beer), be courteous and let them know. You don’t want anyone to be caught off guard when their opinion of you is supposed to seal the deal.
Focus on strengths
You can’t be great at everything and that’s okay. If your grades suffered from too much ‘real life experience,’ make sure to focus on the relevancy of your fantastic internship opportunity that ‘taught you so much.’ And if you’ve flipped burgers since freshman year, don’t forget to point out that you have a 4.0.
Ask questions
Whether you want to know or not, ask the man a thing or two. What are the company's plans for the future? What projects would be assigned to my position? What’s a typical day at the office like for someone in this position? Bosses typically like to talk about their business. Show you care. Ask a question. And be bold — ask for the job.
Follow up
Be polite. Write a thank you letter to the interviewer. This is your chance to add anything you forgot and remind The Man why you are perfect for the job…and the company.
COMMON INTERVIEW BLUNDERS
Arriving late. This is NOT a good first impression…no matter what.- Unanswered questions. Be conversational, but direct. Keep tangents to a minimum and make sure you answer the question, rather than just talking around it.
- Forgot your resume. This is not the time for ‘the dog ate my homework’ excuse. Be organized and take everything with you.
- Trash talking. Don’t use your interview as a place to vent about your former boss or old place of employment. And by all means, don’t swear.
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Smoking, drinking and gum chomping. Although there are things that people do to calm down, wait until after the interview. No one needs to know your vice so soon.
- Show me the money. Making your salary and benefit package your interview priority is a complete turnoff.
- No closure. When the interview is over, failing to confirm next steps or asking for the job does not convey your interest or intent. The interviewer might assume you’re really not into the company after all.
