You have been searching and searching and submitting your resume for job after job and finally, you get THE call. The company is ready to set up an interview with you. The question is – “Are you ready?” You applied for so many jobs do you even remember the job or anything about the company? Well, one of the first things you need to do is ask the hiring manager (usually human resources is the one who calls) to please send you a copy of the job description. At least this way, if you did not make a copy of it when you applied, you will be able to review the position description and know what you are facing!
Okay, you have the job description. Are you still interested? If you are, then it is worth doing a search on the company but if you read the job description and ask yourself “What was I thinking when I applied?” –well, it is probably best to contact them and tell them thanks but no thanks. Don’t waste their time and yours for a job wherein you probably would not stay for any length of time. But if this job is right up your alley, go for it. Perform an Internet research on the company. What are they all about? Find out everything you can about them. Do you know anyone who works there? Ask them about the company; about the work environment. Is this a company that you really want to work for? For example, if your desire is to work for a small company (50 people or less) and this company is huge concern employing hundreds – are you still interested in working for them?
Now that you have made the decision that the job is a good fit as well as the company you need to prepare for the interview. Read and re-read the job description. Pick it apart and know every qualification the hiring manager is seeking. Remember, the job description is just a general guideline – not written in stone. If there is a skill listed that you may be rusty on, find a way to use it or read up on it if nothing else. In addition to knowing about the job, know about your resume, too. That hiring manager doesn’t know anything about you except for what he read on your resume. Make sure YOU know what your resume contains. Could you recite your resume if you had to? Could you talk about a position you held ten years ago? If you are shaking your head no – take the time to go over and over your resume until you know it forwards and backwards.
Now, you know about the company, the position and your resume. So what is next? Check your wardrobe. Do you have the proper attire for this interview? You know the old saying
that you should dress for the job you want, not for the job you have? The same is true here. You need to dress for the position you want. There are so many rules for this that it is impossible to cover all of them here but common sense should dictate your attire. If you are going for an interview in banking, finance, technology and so on; a good rule of thumb is to wear a suit (male or female). Make sure that it is clean, pressed and in good repair. Check your shoes – do they need polished? Do you need a new pair? Ladies, styles change daily but it is always best to dress like a lady. If you are wearing a skirt, bare legs probably are not the way to go. Guys wear a suit and tie. I know that probably sounds very archaic to you but trust me on this. I have been through enough interviews to know that when push comes to shove, if you were the one who was really dressed for an interview, the hiring manger is going to remember that. You will definitely stand out! In a good way! Don’t wait until the day of the interview to do this! Going for an interview is very stressful so be prepared ahead of time.
On the day of the interview, wake up early. Make yourself presentable. Take time to eat and relax before the interview. Make sure you have directions to the company and give yourself plenty of time to arrive. Arriving early is not a sin – companies love it! Take some deep cleansing breaths! And most of all, smile! Good luck!
Nancy Anderson, Staff Writer
Okay, you have the job description. Are you still interested? If you are, then it is worth doing a search on the company but if you read the job description and ask yourself “What was I thinking when I applied?” –well, it is probably best to contact them and tell them thanks but no thanks. Don’t waste their time and yours for a job wherein you probably would not stay for any length of time. But if this job is right up your alley, go for it. Perform an Internet research on the company. What are they all about? Find out everything you can about them. Do you know anyone who works there? Ask them about the company; about the work environment. Is this a company that you really want to work for? For example, if your desire is to work for a small company (50 people or less) and this company is huge concern employing hundreds – are you still interested in working for them?
Now that you have made the decision that the job is a good fit as well as the company you need to prepare for the interview. Read and re-read the job description. Pick it apart and know every qualification the hiring manager is seeking. Remember, the job description is just a general guideline – not written in stone. If there is a skill listed that you may be rusty on, find a way to use it or read up on it if nothing else. In addition to knowing about the job, know about your resume, too. That hiring manager doesn’t know anything about you except for what he read on your resume. Make sure YOU know what your resume contains. Could you recite your resume if you had to? Could you talk about a position you held ten years ago? If you are shaking your head no – take the time to go over and over your resume until you know it forwards and backwards.
Now, you know about the company, the position and your resume. So what is next? Check your wardrobe. Do you have the proper attire for this interview? You know the old saying
that you should dress for the job you want, not for the job you have? The same is true here. You need to dress for the position you want. There are so many rules for this that it is impossible to cover all of them here but common sense should dictate your attire. If you are going for an interview in banking, finance, technology and so on; a good rule of thumb is to wear a suit (male or female). Make sure that it is clean, pressed and in good repair. Check your shoes – do they need polished? Do you need a new pair? Ladies, styles change daily but it is always best to dress like a lady. If you are wearing a skirt, bare legs probably are not the way to go. Guys wear a suit and tie. I know that probably sounds very archaic to you but trust me on this. I have been through enough interviews to know that when push comes to shove, if you were the one who was really dressed for an interview, the hiring manger is going to remember that. You will definitely stand out! In a good way! Don’t wait until the day of the interview to do this! Going for an interview is very stressful so be prepared ahead of time.On the day of the interview, wake up early. Make yourself presentable. Take time to eat and relax before the interview. Make sure you have directions to the company and give yourself plenty of time to arrive. Arriving early is not a sin – companies love it! Take some deep cleansing breaths! And most of all, smile! Good luck!
Nancy Anderson, Staff Writer
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