You have an interview lined up. You’ve rehearsed answers to typical questions and you’re fairly confident you’re prepared for whatever the hiring manager will fire your way. You may know what you should say, but are you certain about what you shouldn't?
As a candidate, it’s essential to pull out all of the stops to enhance your chances in a job interview, especially where a vacancy is hotly contested.
Sending a post-interview thank you note is your final opportunity to remind the employer why you are the ideal candidate for the role by demonstrating where your skills and background are an ideal fit for their vacancy. If you’re guilty of sending a standard ‘thank you’ note – or not sending one at all – try the following after your next interview:
Preparing for a great job interview is a job in itself. You’ve done your homework on the company, perfected your resume, answered every question will clarity and confidence. By the time it’s over, you may be tempted to breathe a sigh of relief and think that the ball is now in their court. Well, it’s not. Not quite. Your interviewers invested their time and energy to meet with you. You not only owe them a thank you; you have one more opportunity to remind them of your qualifications for the job.
At the end of every interview, you will normally be given the opportunity to pose questions to the employer. If it is a fiercely contested vacancy, here’s your chance to edge ahead of the field. The responses you are given will also offer insight into whether or not a move to this company is in the best interests of your long-term career plan.
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You’re the perfect candidate for this job.
Your Thank-You Email Is A Smart Marketing Tool
Whether you’re actively job hunting or “just listening” when recruiters reach out, you know probably know what it takes to be a serious candidate. You need a clear grasp of your own personal “brand:” your career goals, core values, current abilities and professional track record. You need a resume that powerfully, compellingly reflects those things. And you need to ace every interview, not just with the words you choose but with the levels of engagement and enthusiasm you’re able to convey.
You know the three rules of job interviewing: 1. PREPARE, 2. PREPARE, 3. PREPARE. But as you gear up for a great first interview with a potential employer, you may be so focused on what to do — that you may not give enough thought to what not to do. During your first interview, you’ll likely be asked if you have any questions. No matter how well you may have answered their questions, it is equally important that you ask your own questions masterfully. The interview is an audition. And asking questions is your opportunity to showcase your leadership skills, your ability to ask insightful questions and conduct yourself intelligently during high-stakes meetings, your knowledge of the company and the industry, and your career priorities. It is also a moment fraught with risks and potential pitfalls. Before your next interview, do your homework, write down your questions, and be sure you avoid the kinds of deal-killer questions we’ve listed below.
What does your company do?
Never, ever ask your interviewer for information that you’d already know if you had bothered to do a few quick online searches. That said, if your intention is to better understand the specifics of how the company functions, ask your question by prefacing it with what you do know about them.
Preparing for a job interview can be daunting. If you want to impress that prospective employer, you’ve got some homework to do: fully research the company, prepare strong answers to anticipated questions, even choose the right clothes. But in all of your eagerness to impress your interviewer, don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re on another important mission during that interview: assessing how they impress you.
Starting a new job is a reason for celebration which usually energizes and motivates us. We often prioritize the title, compensation, location and responsibilities. If it ticks those boxes, many professionals don’t give much consideration to the three principal reasons a job doesn’t work out.
