Although you can’t exactly get inside the head of a hiring manager, you can gain some insight into some of the things they look for during a job interview.
Did you know that within 90 seconds of a job interview, the interviewer has already formed their impression of if you’re a good fit for the position?
When it comes to preparing for a job interview, you need to make sure you’re on top of your game. You have to be proactive and take the initiative to learn as much about the company as you can in order to help you excel during the interview. In addition to learning about the company, you also need to make sure you are confident in explaining how your skills and experience apply to the position, too.
If you don’t want to be one of the 47 percent of job seekers who have little or no knowledge about the company they’re about to interview for, then here are some things to consider before entering the job interview:
Know the company’s history, mission, and goals
These are just common sense when it comes to preparing for an interview. You’ll be kicking yourself when you don’t already have this knowledge ahead of time. Take a moment to read about the company, their team and goals. The more you know about the company, the better prepared you’ll be to sell yourself as the best candidate for the position. When you demonstrate your knowledge about the company, it shows that you are truly interested in working for them.
Any current successes or challenges the company is facing
It’s a really good idea to know the current state of the company when you go into the interview. Find out if the company has had any recent achievements or is facing any challenges. By knowing this information, you’ll be able to explain how your skills and expertise are exactly what the company needs in order to succeed. For example, let’s say you’re a public relations professional and you’re applying for a communications manager position for an organization that has little social media presence. By knowing that tidbit about the company, you’ll be able to offer some solutions.
Know if there’s room for growth
Before you go into an interview, you should have a general idea if there’s room for growth at the company. If receiving promotions doesn’t matter to you, then this isn’t a crucial piece of information. However, if you are hoping to advance your career with this employer, then you should do some research about the different job positions within the company. This way, you’ll be prepared for any questions regarding promotions and you’ll have a better idea of what questions to ask the employer about career advancement opportunities.
It’s OK to ask for the job
The number one most common job mistake by job seekers is failing to ask for the job. Sure, while you feel like you should wait for an offer, you should also be confident enough to ask for a position. Employers want to know you’re interested, so make sure you let them know. But don’t feel like you’re begging. You came to the interview to show how your experience and skills qualify you for the position. All you have to do is conclude your interview with something as simple as “after learning more about your company, I feel like I’d be a great fit. I look forward to hearing from you soon.” This way, you are able to confidently conclude your interview and illustrate your desire to land the position.
After your job interview, don’t be disappointed in yourself if there was information you weren’t prepared for. Use it as a growing point to fix in future interviews. By following some of this advice, you’ll be more likely to impress employers and confidently explain why you are the best fit for their company in your first try!
What are some things job seekers should know before an interview? Share your advice in the comments below!