Part 2 - Interviewing for your Dream Job

Attire - How to Dress for the Interview

Research and information gathering are extremely positive steps for you to take in preparing for your interview. But there are some pitfalls for you to avoid, too. Get a sense of how people dress at the company you will interview with. If you are interviewing for a job in the ware-house, you probably won’t wear a suit to the interview. If you are interviewing for an accounting position, you probably will. In any interview situation, you should be impeccably groomed, whatever you wear. This is not the time to make an edgy fashion statement.

 

You should never be late for an interview. Turn off that cell phone and pager. Bring extra copies of your resume, and bring the list of questions you wish to ask about the company and its direction. Another caution here: remember that the interviewers are looking for a solution to a problem---the right person to fill an open position. They are not primarily interested in solving your problems. A first interview is probably not the time to ask how many vacation days, sick days, and holidays you will be entitled to in your first year. Focus on how you will meet their needs instead.

 

Listen Carefully!

Another common pitfall job candidates stumble over is not listening to the interview questions. Many, many companies use behavioral interviews today. This means that the company has identified the strengths of their perfect candidate. Then they are using questions designed to have the candidate explain how he or she demonstrates mastery of that strength. Your clues are, again, in the job description.

 

If the job posting says they are looking for a well-organized person who works well under pressure, they are likely to ask you a question regarding that skill set. Such a question could be, “Tell me about a time when you had to get an important assignment done under a tight deadline.” Since you’ve studied the job description or posting, you know this is a skill set that is important to them. You are prepared to answer how your past actions demonstrate your command of that skill set. Not too complicated, but very rarely done well.

 

Show your Interest and the Thank-You Note

At the end of the interview, it is a good idea to again express your interest in the position. This may seem obvious since you just went through the interview, but many interviewers want to hear it to be sure you are still interested in the position post-interview. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask when a decision will be made and when you may hope to hear back from the hiring organization. Always thank your interviewers for their time.

 

Follow up -- a post-interview email or note is a much appreciated touch. You probably have a primary contact at the company who set up the interview with you. Drop him or her a short, simple email or note in the next day or so. Express your thanks for the interview. In just a few sentences, reiterate your interest in the job and remind them of what you bring to the table and how you can meet their needs. Keep it short and professional and be sure to update any contact information they may not have.

 

And there you have it. The key is to make sure the hiring organization sees you as the answer to their hiring need. Think about the job from their perspective, show them what a great match you are, and tell them what you bring to the table. You’ll be surprised at how well this approach works. Good luck in your job search!

 

 

 

Back to Part 1:Interviewing for your Dream Job

 

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