In today’s competitive job market, your experience and resume simply aren’t enough to land your ideal job. If you want to impress the hiring manager and stand out for the right reasons, you should master these five interview strategies.
One: Study Up
Preparation is the key to success in any job interview. Take time to study the company website to learn as much as you can about what they do, and look up news to find details on projects they have in their pipeline, recent funding they may have secured, etc. This will allow you to ask thoughtful questions during your interview.
It is also important to study the job posting so you can understand what the hiring manager is looking for. Make sure to tailor your approach and your anecdotes to the skills and attributes that are the most valuable for the position.
Two: Practice, Practice, Practice
If you’re nervous, you may forget details or important points, and practicing will help you build up your confidence and set you up for success. Work with a colleague, family member, or recruiter on several practice interviews. Practice ensures that you can hit your main points succinctly, without rambling. You want to focus on “showing” your skills and qualifications in your answers rather than just “telling” the interview about them. Make sure to use concrete examples from your history and whenever possible, quantify your achievements.
Three: Be Yourself
Many candidates get so wrapped up in trying to present themselves as an ideal candidate that they end up acting and sounding like someone they are not. Hiring managers can tell when people are not being themselves, and it leads them to wonder what the candidate is hiring. Let your personality show through and be sincere. Remember, job interviews are about determining fit. If they don’t like you for who you are, the job isn’t for you.
Four: Follow Up
Immediately after a job interview, send a thank-you note to everyone you spoke with. Whether you choose to email or snail mail, the key is to follow up immediately with a sincere and personalized note that reinforces your interest in the position. If it comes down to you and another candidate, you don’t want to be the person who waited a week to say thanks or worse, who never wrote a note at all.
Five: Work With A Professional Recruiter
Mastering your interview skills takes a lot of time and a lot of practice. When you partner with a professional recruiter, they will work closely with you to ensure you help you improve your approach, communicate effectively, and make a positive impression on the hiring manager. After each interview, they will also offer constructive feedback so you can make adjustments as necessary the next time around.
Are you looking to land an interview soon?
If you are a talented job seeker looking to jumpstart your search, work with the recruiters at Bonney Staffing in Maine. We go the extra mile to ensure we match you with the right opportunities to achieve your goals. Contact us today to learn more about our commitment to your success.
