Overcome by excitement at the prospect of receiving an invitation to interview, many candidates fail to prepare properly and wind up not making the best first impression. So to prepare for that all-important face-to-face, here are some tips on what to do before arriving for the interview.
Ask Questions
When an applicant is invited in for an interview, they should make sure they understand
- the nature of the job for which they are interviewing. Get a job title, the department and any details before going for the interview.
- who will be doing the interview. Get a name and job title in order to ask the receptionist politely for the right person upon arriving. Receptionists are a recruiter’s best friend when it comes to spilling the dirt on a candidate’s behavior and attitude (good and bad).
- where and when the appointment is. Be clear as to date, time and location. Ask for directions if necessary. Be sure to find out where to park. And bring cash in case parking isn’t free.
Practice. Practice. Practice
- Good Communication Skills. On a daily basis, candidates should notice how well they listen to others. Practice active listening techniques such as paraphrasing what has been said or probing further by asking additional questions. This way candidates develop the ability to respond intelligently and stay on point during an interview.
- Interviewing Skills. Candidates should fine tune their interviewing skills by practicing with a friend or family member, basing their responses to questions on their past work experience. Remember to use real life examples to demonstrate knowledge and then get feedback on the answers. Even though a recruiter may not ask the exact question a friend does, by practicing candidates can improve their ability to respond easily.
- Drawing on Experience. While every interviewer is different and is likely to have their own favorite interview questions, candidates need to familiarize themselves with their own background and accomplishments well enough to be able to draw on their own experiences with ease. Candidates should review their work history and make a list of accomplishments – if these are not already incorporated into the resume.
Be Prepared
Candidates need to know what they want to know. That is, before the interview they should develop a list of questions they want answered. Think beyond salary and benefits by asking about things such as company culture, why employees enjoy working at the company or the characteristics that have made people successful in the organization.
Research the Company
Job seekers don’t need to be experts; however, they should have a basic understanding of any company where they plan to interview. Otherwise, how will they know they really want to work there?
By understanding what to do before the interview, candidates have a better chance of making that all important first impression.
