You worked hard over the years, leading to a good-looking resume and you nailed the cover letter. Now, just as you’d hoped, the organization you want to work for has contacted you for an interview. Maybe you’re a terrific speaker with a ton of confidence or maybe you’re a bit of a wallflower who fears the interview more than any part of the hiring process.
It doesn’t really matter which category you fall into because ultimately, it’s going to fall to the hiring manager to make the decision (unless they are just the first interview) on your professional future. What are some simple things you can do to stack the deck in your favor and land that position? Here are five things you can do to set yourself up for success at the interview for that dream position:
Show that You Understand The Position and The Company
Your resume is a great barometer of your experience before sitting down for the interview, but do you know who you’re sitting down with? Do you know what they do there? Do you understand the ins and outs of your daily responsibilities? The less that they have to teach you, the more likely your odds of being hired. In today’s day and age, you should be able to answer basic questions about the company and about the position you’re applying for.
Illustrate Why You Want The Job
There’s nothing hiring managers hate more than the answer, “Because I need the money” when asked why you’re interested in a position. What is it about the position that interests you? Will you learn new things? Will you lead a team? Will you travel? Anybody can come and punch a clock at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Don’t just be another one of those people show them why you want the job.
Ask Great Questions
While there are organizations where the top brass surround themselves with sycophantic yes-men, most successful companies want outside opinions and perspectives with their new hires. They’re not just considering you for the position. They’re looking for someone who can see things in a way nobody there currently does. This isn’t to say you can make C-level changes, but the questions you ask in an interview often hold just as much weight as your questions.
Talk to People Who Work at the Company Beforehand
We all need a paycheck and appreciate job security, but on a day-in and day-out level, those of us who thrive are the ones who really enjoy our job and feel valued by the company. There isn’t any FAQ that can tell you if you’re going to thrive. The best thing you can do is talk to people who work at the company and get a sense of if it would be a good fit. Ask the hiring manager if you can have the contact info of a few people, or simply look them up on LinkedIn before interviewing.
Be Yourself
This is probably the most important of all of the other pieces of advice. No matter who you try to portray yourself as during the job interview, your real self will come out during the good and bad of your time with the organization. It’s best that the hiring manager see the real you, and if it’s not a great fit, it’s better they reach the conclusion during the interview instead of three months into the job… for both of your sake’s.