The job market can be a daunting place. It may seem that there are more prospective employees than there are jobs. When you have the opportunity to interview for a job, you will want to make sure that you have a competitive edge over the other applicants. Fortunately, there are some preliminary steps you can take before applying for a job and when preparing for a job interview to make sure that you stand out among the other candidates.
Know the company
You may be applying for various jobs at different companies, so it is important to do some research before your job interview. You should make the effort to know as much as possible about each company you are interviewing at, and prepare questions tailored to the company. Without this knowledge, the interviewer may feel that you are not taking the job seriously. If you do make an effort to know as much as you can about the company, and have good questions ready, your interviewer will be impressed with your thoroughness.
Connect with People in the Office
You start making an impression the moment you walk in the door. Ensure that you are polite to the receptionist, and present a friendly face to any employee you meet. At the beginning or end of the meeting, try to make a connection with the interviewer. Sharing an interest, like a hobby or sports team, is a great way to make yourself memorable. You need to show the interviewer that you will make a great addition to the company and that you are someone they would enjoy working with.
Be Yourself
You may be tempted to make yourself out to be someone who is “perfect” for the job or be someone you are not just to impress your interviewer. While you certainly want to show your best self, you should also make sure to be your true self. If you are pretending to be someone you are not, your interviewer may notice, and If you get the job, it will be very difficult to keep up a charade. Being honest about who you are in your interview is always in your best interest.
Focus on Potential
If you do not have a lot of experience, you can always turn the focus to your potential. You may not have worked in the industry long, but you can discuss any interests that relate to the job and your willingness to learn. You can stand out by making sure the interviewer sees that even though you may not be experienced, you are capable. Employers look for personality and willingness to learn and work hard in addition to previous experience, so not having any doesn’t mean you should avoid applying.
Write a Thank You Note
You want to make sure that you linger in the interviewer’s mind. A hand-written thank you note that references your interview shows that you are willing to put in time and effort. Do not send a basic form letter, if it is original, the interviewer will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
With your excellent qualifications and these great tips, you can ace your job interview and get a job that you will love. Preparation is key, and these are just a few of the ways you can make sure you’re ready for any job interview.
More more tips on all things related to College life, check out the other blogs at College Basics.
