You’re a smart fella. You worked hard in school, participated in some meaningful activities, and dutifully read the Brand-Yourself blog every day. Fortunately for you, all of your efforts have paid off, and you have some interviews scheduled! Now, everything on your resume no longer matters. The only thing standing between you and that dream job is a friendly conversation with a hiring manager. You only have a limited time to impress them, so listen up!
Here’s what to do to stand out from the crowd and really wow your interviewers:
- Arrive 15 minutes early. This allows you extra time to find parking, use the restroom, get some water or just relax. Also, if some unexpected delay comes up, it gives you an extra cushion to make sure you’re not late.
- Dress conservatively. Do not wear the latest suit or dress from the fashion magazine you pick up at the book store or in the grocery line. Be conservative. Until you learn the culture of the company, it is better safe than sorry. There are exceptions to this rule such as small start up companies or a marketing/PR firm in New York. Remember, it never hurts to ask the HR person at the company what is appropriate if you are unsure!
- Research your interviewers. Ask the recruiter or human resources professional for the names of the people with whom you will be interviewing. Take these names look them up on LinkedIn and Google/Bing and learn about their work experience. Maybe their background will provide you with some interesting talking points: do they write a blog, participate in an organization or perform volunteer work similar to what you are interested in? Remember, these are real people who like to engage in real conversations, not necessarily all business all the time.
- Arrive prepared. Have a classy-looking portfolio notebook to take notes. Always have a few extra copies of your resume, maybe even bring a flash drive with you that has your resume to be downloaded easily. You never know who may ask for it. This is simple planning and only takes a few minutes the night before to ensure you have the opportunity for the best first impression. Also be sure to have a list of your own questions prepared. About the job, the company, and the interviewer themselves. This shows that you actually care about this specific opening, and that it’s not just another interview.
- Collect business cards. Ask anyone you interview with for their card before the interview session starts. Take their business card and put it at the top of your notepad. Now you are able to glance down at your paper, casually, and see their name very easily should you happen to forget.
- Ask about the next steps. Before you leave, ask the manager or recruiter for the appropriate way to follow up. Do not leave with “we’ll be in touch”. Ask for a timeline as to when you may follow up for feedback if you have not heard anything. Make sure you let them know that you understand their busy schedule and you are happy to call at their convenience.
- Thank you notes. Always write a thank you note! One tip I learned right out of college was to bring thank you notes with you and write them by hand in the car before you even leave the parking lot. This allows you to have all information fresh in your mind as you write your thank you note. Do not write a generic thank you letter. Instead, make specific points about the conversation. Even just one sentence which references something you talked about, or something personal about the interviewer, is much better than a canned response. Feeling ambitious? Hand-deliver your letters to the receptionist so they arrive later the same day or the next day (alternately, FedEx overnight them. Consider the cost an investment in getting the job).
These may seem obvious, but you’d all be amazed at how many people still show up late, dress inappropriately, know nothing about their target companies, and generally goof up this process. No matter how good your resume is, if you can’t nail these steps, you’re in trouble.
Have some other interview tips for us? Share your best pointers in the comments section.
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