Mastering the Job Interview - 5 Tips to Make Yourself
Irresistible to the Interviewer
So you've figured out, more or less what you want to do and
where the opportunities are. Now; you have been called for an
interview. Here are five steps for interview success for
students and graduates:
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare.
Thoroughly research each employer you pursue. It is not enough
just to show up for the interviews and hope for the best.
Take the time to research and understand the company and the
person who is giving the interview. Students should approach
their answers from the perspective of the person who is doing
the hiring. What would that person be looking for if the roles
were reversed? Job seekers need to plan their responses so they
cover key information about what they can bring to the job, and
then rehearse out loud until they feel confident.
2. Attitude makes a difference.
The key element to successful interviewing is not your
experience, your grades, what classes you took, your
extracurricular activities, or any of the other basic
necessities. Those skills are what got you the interview. The
key element to successful interviewing can be summed up in one
word: attitude. If you want to rise above others with better
experience, better grades, or better anything, you will need to
work on developing a highly positive work attitude.
Your attitude determines whether you will "make the cut" or be
discarded. Remember, there are plenty of competitors with the
ability to do almost any given job-- especially at the entry
level. The way most employers differentiate at the entry level
is by candidates' attitudes toward the job.
You can teach a new employee many things, but attitude is not
one of them. Many employers are willing to teach skills to new
employees if they come through the door with a positive,
energetic "can do" attitude.
3. Ask the right questions.
Ask about the position, job responsibilities and company values.
4. Dress for success.
Before the interview, the student job seeker should find out the
company's dress code and dress a level up from that. It's better
to be overdressed than under-dressed.
This is not to say that you need to go out and buy a whole new
wardrobe. Go for quality over quantity. One or two well-chosen
business suits will serve you all the way to the first day on
the job and beyond. Then, when you are making some money (and
have a chance to see what the standard "uniform" is for the
company), you can begin to round out your wardrobe. For now, no
one will fault you for wearing the same sharp outfit each time
you interview. If you desire some variety within a limited
budget, you might consider varying your
shirt/blouse/tie/accessories as a simple way to change your look
without breaking your wallet.
5. Leave a lasting impression.
There are two simple steps you can take to make a lasting
impression after your interview and greatly increase your odds
of success.
The first is to call the interviewer to thank them for their
time. If possible, you may want to add additional information
which was not discussed in the interview. An example would be:
"I understand from speaking with the receptionist that Microsoft
Office is your corporate software standard. I just wanted to
mention that I'm also fully proficient in each of the tools in
the Office suite." This phone call should ideally take place the
same day. If you are unable to reach the interviewer directly,
leave a voicemail message.
The second activity is to immediately write the interviewer a
short note, thanking them for their time and reemphasizing your
interest in the position. Then do your best to get it to them as
quickly as possible. E-mail it, fax it, hand deliver it,
messenger it, use overnight mail, whatever. But be sure they
have it before the end of the following day. Ideally, you want
to get it in their hands by the end of the day of the interview
or first thing the following morning. Why? Because the quicker
your letter arrives, the greater the likelihood of affecting a
positive impact. A thank you note provides an opportunity to
thank the interviewer for his or her time, and one last chance
to express interest in the position and reinforce why you are
the right person for it.