I Have a Job Interview. Now What?
How do I ensure I do well in a job interview? How can I set myself apart from other candidates?
I am frequently asked those questions by career coaching clients. When I serve as a nonprofit search executive, I conduct interviews on a regular basis. Here are recommendations I often share about approaching job interviews based on my experience as a career coach, search executive, and decades of experience as a hiring manager.
Be sure to:
Be responsive in a timely manner when contacted for an interview.
Prepare, prepare, prepare. Do research on the organization or company in advance from the website, as well as news articles or social media posts.
Take notes on what you learn so you can utilize that information during the interview.
Whether in-person or on-line, maintain eye contact, lean forward, be friendly and engaged.
Have a few key questions prepared.
Be in an appropriate location if meeting virtually.
Tell them you are extremely interested in the position and believe you would do a very good job.
Send an electronic thank you later that day for the interview to everyone you met. When you advance in the search, send handwritten thank yous as well. Why? You will stand out as a thoughtful potential employee and co-worker.
It’s important to not:
Be unavailable for interview timeslots offered, unless there is a very good reason that you provide in a prompt message.
Be late for the interview, whether on-line or in-person.
Dress casually. I have heard clients say it doesn’t matter because it’s virtual. First impressions are always important!
Don’t try to “wing it” for the initial interview. If you do not do well, there will not be a second interview.
Allow your answers to go on and on — be concise and allow time for follow-up questions.
With my career coaching clients, we prepare and practice for interviews together. If you could benefit from coaching for a strategic job search, please contact me to learn more about how I can partner with you.