September 9, 2020
Tarah Webber, Talent Acquisition Partner
When you hear back from a company asking to interview you for a position, it can be exciting but also stressful. Since the interview can make or break your candidacy, you want to be sure you are presenting your best self and impress the person you speak with. At BLEND360 we work with candidates to help them feel prepared for their interview and advise them how to showcase themselves in the best light for opportunities.
We would like to share some of our tips and tricks on how to help seal the deal and get the role you are interviewing for.
1. Do Your Homework. If you aren’t familiar with the company and their products or services, do your homework online. Check out the company website. Do a quick Google search to pull up recent news and announcements, as well as information about the people you are meeting with such as events and speaking engagements they participated in, published thought leadership articles, social media posts, etc.
2. Accurate Resume. Make sure your resume is up to date. If not, try to provide the Interviewer with an updated version beforehand. Be prepared to respond to all the content on your resume.
3. Sound Quality. If it’s a phone interview, make sure to stand. It helps to project your voice better over the phone and sound more confident. Be certain you have a quiet place without distractions.
4. Be Concise. Plan out some examples of your experience that relate to the role beforehand and memorize them. Don’t read from a script as it can be noticeable, and sound rehearsed. Practice your examples so you come off clear and prepared.
5. LinkedIn. Always review the LinkedIn profile of the Interviewer (Get to know the persons history before the interview). If you have mutual connections, mention that as a great segue into the conversation.
6. Video Interview. If a video interview, check your background beforehand and ensure there is good lighting so the person on the other end of the call can see you clearly.
7. Presentation. Dressing professionally for interviews will make you feel more confident and prepared.
8. “SuperMan” Approach. Before the call, stand in “SuperMan” pose for a few minutes. Studies have shown this stance provides more confidence and can ease the pre-interview butterflies.
9. Ask Questions. Come prepared to ask a few questions regarding the position and company you are interviewing for. This will show you are interested and engaged with the conversation.
10. References. Have 2-3 references ready to share if requested after the call. Be sure to include 2 methods of contact information as well as let the references know they may be contacted shortly.
11. Follow Through. Follow up with the Interviewer after the call to thank them for their time and ask if they need any additional information from you. Be sure to highlight 2-3 competencies that make you the best candidate for the role.
12. Be Yourself. The interview is a chance to learn about the company culture and see if it be a great fit for you. Make sure to incorporate your style throughout the interview to see if aligns.
Whether the interview is for a short-term contract or something long term, being prepared for the interview is always important as it’s an opportunity to build a relationship with the company and showcase the value you can add to that team.
Do you have any helpful interview tips or tricks that have helped you in the past? We’d love to hear them, so feel free to comment below or reach out!
