Are you quitting your job, like so many others during the Great Resignation?
We all want to leave that crummy job and land our dream job instead.
And the job interview is the single most imposing part of the process.
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Thats where your new job is ultimately won or lost.
How can you do better in job interviews?
you’re gonna wanna prepare.
Seriously, it’s crucial that you prepare more, and it’s crucial that you prepare better.
Well walk you through exactly what to do before, during and after the interview.
you’ve got the option to post a profile on the site that potential employers can see.
If a company likes your profile, they can invite you to apply for their job.
And if youre interested, you’ve got the option to apply with a click.
7 Ways to Make Money if You Hate People
Do you avoid people too?
Enough small talk.Here are some waysto earn extra cash, without all of the social stuff.
An online jobs marketplace like this is the most efficient way to launch a job search.
Use the time before then wisely.
Unfortunately, you cant just cruise in and claim your job.
Interview preparation is key, and youll have to do some legwork to distinguish yourself from other applicants.
Heres what you gotta do before your big day.
Research the Company
Having a solid understanding of the company is crucial.
You dont want to be caught fumbling basic information during the job interview.
Did you know?
Current and former employees can clue you in, too.
Adequate preparation can help you feel better, too.
Give yourself time in advance to prepare and build your confidence.
Closely study the job description, too.
Clean Up Your Social Media
What you put on your LinkedIn profile is obviously fair game for HR.
But what about your Facebook and Instagram?
Many employers and recruiting agencies use them to screen applicants.
What does your social media say about you?
Most importantly, check that there arent any embarrassing photos of you that are publicly searchable.
Conduct a Dry Run and Mock Interview
Practice interviewing!
to softballs like What are your hobbies?
Mock interviews will make you that much more ready to answer interview questions in the actual interview.
Regardless of industry, you should bring a few extra resumes with you, just in case.
You never know if all the people included in the job interview had time to review your app thoroughly.
Even if they did, having extra resumes on hand helps you look prepared.
Its best to have these documents printed out and ready to go the night before.
Theres always your trusty local library, too.
Plan What to Wear
Whats your interview outfit?
Interview attire is crucial, obviously.
How you look in the job interview is almost as important as your qualifications.
Planning an outfit can be a delicate balancing act and yet another source of stress for some people.
You want to look sharp but not pretentious or underdressed.
Consider industry trends when choosing your outfit.
Interviewing at a business firm?
Put on a suit.
But that might be overkill for other industries.
Computer science or advertising fields might be more casual.
The important part is not to guess.
Once youve decided what to wear, set it out before you go to bed pressed and wrinkle-free.
It will save you the hassle in the morning.
And yes, this even matters for a video interview.
Get a Good Nights Sleep
Research?
Ticking all those boxes the night before will ease your mind and help you sleep.
venture to get at least seven to nine hours of shut-eye to be on your A-game the next day.
And check that that time frame is actual sleep time, not just time you spend lying in bed.
Its likely that youll be a little nervous, so give yourself an extra hour to fall asleep.
have a go at stay mindful and relaxed.
Dont worry about rehearsing your answers.
Youve done that already.
Be in the moment and youll come across more genuine and likable.
And yo, dont bring your parent.
In a somewhat recent phenomenon, helicopter parents have started intervening in their kids job hunt.
For all you know, that could be Jen in accounting.
And guess who shes going to tell after you leave?
Plus, being polite is just the right thing to do.
Nailing an interview isnt about regurgitating your resume.
Its all about the stories and narrative you have.
The key is having an anecdote ready.
Ask the Right Questions
Interviews are two-way conversations.
You also want to learn from the company if it will be a good fit for you.
Many of these cues arent intentional.
Theyre physical responses to how youre feeling.
So internally obsessing about your posture and facial expressions isnt going to help much, either.
The point is, you shouldfeelconfident and relaxed and those things stem from adequate preparation.
Vet Your Potential Manager
When you go into your interview, remember, this is a two-way relationship.
See if you are clicking with your hiring manager.
So dont let the sole deciding factor be the salary or the prestige of the company.
So much of your day-to-day life at a job is about the manager.
It comes across as unprofessional.
Beyond that, it allows you to see whats really happening on the ground floor.
As you walk through different pods or workspaces, take note of the office morale.
Does everyone look stressed or excited?
If its around lunchtime, see if a lot of employees are eating at their desks.
That could be a sign of being overworked.
If they say no to the tour, its not a deal-breaker.
Why havent I heard anything?
Shouldnt they have sent an email?
Im going to call them.
They probably hired someone else!
When in reality, they likely have an internal hiring process that youre unaware of.
Send a Thank-You Note
Thank-you notes are a surefire way to distinguish yourself from other candidates.
Hiring managers love them, and applicants often forget to send them.
We recommend sending them regardless of how the interview goes.
An email should suffice.
Where possible, personalize it as best it’s possible for you to.
Give it a little flair.
And if you really want brownie points, dont send an email.
Send a handwritten thank-you note.
Since you cant yell Cut!
Tell me about yourself.
Introduce strengths that correlate with the top two or three items in a job description.
You want to talk about whats in it for them.
Why should we hire you?
This is where you prove yourself.
Confidently elaborate on your capabilities to show that youre the best candidate for the job.
After all, thatiswhy theyre asking.
The job description is coming into play again here.
I also spotted a number of issues within the organization that saved us money and time.
Describe a professional achievement.
Ever heard of the S-T-A-R method?
It stands for situation, task, action and result.
The key is to describe the actions you took to achieve the result.
Be sure to explain the steps you took.
Tell us about a difficult professional challenge you faced and how you handled it.
This one is simpler than you think.
At one point or another, weve all faced difficult challenges in the workplace.
The S-T-A-R method can help you answer this question, too!
Instead of harping on the negatives, focus on the professionalism you maintained throughout the difficult situation.
And share the results you received once you forged ahead, despite the adversities you faced.
I took the initiative and organized a late-night brainstorm that led to new ideas we hadnt explored yet.
In the end, the client was thrilled with our fresh ideas, and we landed the account.
What are your professional strengths and weaknesses?
The key to nailing this job interview question is striking a balance.
Youre not perfect, and your interviewers arent expecting you to be.
Again, refer back to the job description youve been given.
What do you know about our company?
Always, always, always research the company before the interview.
The company website is your friend here.
What are a few things that stood out to you when you applied?
What interests you about this position?
Yes, this question is pretty straightforward, but what do interviewersreallywant to know about you here?
Hiring managers often include this question to see to it you understand what the job really is.
Your respect for employees and how you create a great environment for rewarding innovation is also very appealing.
Lastly, I believe my proactive style would fit in well with your companys culture.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What not to say: Im still figuring it out!
I think we can all agree that this question is terrifying.
There are times when predicting what next week will look like is a hassle, let alone five years.
However, your interviewer wants to know how ambitious you are.
see to it your answer is related to the job.
What are your salary requirements?
Talking about money is always a bit awkward.
Do some research and find out what the average salary is for your role.
I feel that this is a comfortable and appropriate range for my work.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Sorry, folks, Netflix and chill is not a good answer, no matter how relatable it is.
I noticed your company offers paid gym memberships for employees, and I think thats amazing.
Working out and being active is one of my favorite hobbies, outside of trying new recipes and writing.
Always Ask Questions at the Interview
Do you have any questions for us?
Leave a good impression by asking good questions.
Keep in mind that youre just as valuable to the company as you feel it is to you.
You dont want to get stuck in a dead-end job.
As the old saying goes, communication is key.
Find out as much as possible about the job prior to beginning.
Going in blind can hurt your performance in more ways than one.
Knowing beforehand gives you time to prepare, and it helps you understand more about the companys workflow.
When you start the job, youll know what to focus on.
Dont be afraid to ask this question, and be sure to save it for the end.
You made it to the end!
Thats how to prepare for an interview!
Ready to rock your next job interview?
It sounds appealing right?
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