September 20, 2017

5 TIPS FOR A KILLER JOB INTERVIEW

PSA: SAVE THE CAFFEINE FOR BEFORE OR AFTER THE INTERVIEW… DON’T SHOW UP WITH YOUR COFFEE IN TOW

Hey ladies & gents! I say gents because guys, if you’ve made it this far, DO NOT TURN BACK! This post will seriously benefit you just as much as it will the ladies.

As much as I love sharing my favourite trends and showcasing my style, what really inspired me to create this blog was the hope of sharing my knowledge and thoughts with readers and inspiring YOU to better yourself, grow, and foster your own creativity. I’m super excited about this post as I think it may actually be influential in your own life in an aspect of life that is pretty darn important to the best of us: YOUR CAREER!

Over the past few years, I’ve been through my fair share of interviews.

Not because I never get hired (phewf!), but from applying for summer internships, to university student associations, and scholarship applications, I’ve gone through the process many times. Probably quite a bit more than many people my age. The truth is, interviews are scary. You want to know what you’re talking about, stand out, be professional, and inspire the interviewer enough to make them believe you’re the best fit for the role. But how can you do this? It takes time and by no means will you be an interview pro on your first go. Like anything else, no pain, no gain! It takes trial and error to become a solid, confident interviewee, but the good news is, the more you interview, the easier it gets! So go ahead and apply for those jobs whose requirements don’t match your qualifications exactly; Sign up for a mock interview on your campus; Or ask a more experienced friend or colleague with hiring expertise to take an hour of their time and help you out! I remember freaking out the first time I went for an interview. And now, of course I still get butterflies, but I’m much more confident with myself and I ensure I’m brushed up on my research to make me more confident in what I know in order to present myself in a way that proves my fit for the role!

In all of my interview experience-turned-expertise (self proclaimed expertise… but I do think I have some valuable tips!), I’ve put together what I’ve found to be the most important things to keep in mind before, during, and after an interview to ensure you wind up with the job of your dreams – for now anyways – let’s keep the dreams rolling.

1. Dress to Impress:

Dress in a way that differentiates you. Chances are you’re not the only one being interviewed that day, so wear something that distinguishes you and the interviewer can go “Oh! I was so impressed when the girl in the coral blazer knew X about us”, and not be just another fish in the sea of black pants and ill-fitting blazers. Of course, know your limits. A professional interview is not the place to try super out-there trends or styles, but it is the place to show a little bit of who you are as a person, and in turn show your confidence. And remember, look good, feel good. Be comfortable in what you’re wearing! There’s nothing worse than fidgeting with your neckline, or pulling up your skirt because it keeps rising. People notice this. As we all know, our choice of clothing and self-presentation is the biggest contributor to the first impression we leave!

2. Do your research:

Have a good understanding of what the company does, their place in the market, and the industry. The interviewer will likely ask you what you know about the company at the very beginning of the interview. Telling Apple they make iPhones is not going to set the bar high for the rest of the interview. Know your stuff! If they don’t ask, even better! Now you can incorporate some of that knowledge into your discussion and responses (in a subtle way, don’t throw it in just to throw it in).

3. Know who your interviewer is:

It’s okay to look them up on LinkedIn! I do that every single time I have an interview or meeting with someone I’ve never met. It makes you feel more at ease as you know who to be on the look out for (if the interview is in a public or busy place). Know what their role is in the company. You can find this out from their email signature, on LinkedIn, or the company website. The more you know, the more it looks like you did your research because you’re genuinely interested in the position. Just don’t bring up how cute their dog is, from that Facebook photo you found while creeping them… Know your boundaries!

4. Be prepared to ask questions:

Not how much the pay is, not what the hours are, but meaningful, genuine questions that show your interest in both the company and the position. Ask about charity or professional development opportunities outside of normal working hours, or about the team you’ll be working with. Showing your interest in the culture of the organization shows you’re looking for more than just a 9-5 job, but more of a meaningful career or experience. Ask what types of projects you might be involved with. Ask how the interviewer got involved with the company, what their roles and experiences looked like. Ask what their favourite thing about working for the company is. It shows you’re interested in being employed there long-term.

5. Follow up with a Thank-you note:

The interview isn’t over when it ends. The interviewer(s) still have a lot of deliberating to do on yourself and all other candidates. Don’t let them forget about you!!! Sending a Thank-you after an interview (later that afternoon if the interview was in the morning, early the next morning if it was in the afternoon) reminds them about you one more time before they start deciding who they want to hire. It’s a simple gesture that can go a long way when it comes to being remembered or not! It also gives you a chance to reiterate your main discussion points earlier that day, or to remind them of why you’re qualified. Just don’t overdo it.

Voila! Follow those 5 tips and you’ll be interviewing like a pro in no time!