Tips for Interviewing for Jobs
Tips For What You Can Do Before, During, and After an Interview to Help Get the Job
If you are searching for a new job while in recovery, you will likely be invited to interview for a position before getting hired. While your skills, experience, and goals may impress an employer, an effective interview is what can convince them to hire you.
If you are unsure about how to best prepare for a job interview, here is a list of steps you can take to prepare, and excel, in your job interview:
Before the Interview:
Research the company and interviewers- Try to find information about the company and the person conducting the interview. The more information you know, the better prepared you may be to answer their questions and relate them to the person, the role, and the company.
Practice your answers to common interview questions- You can research common interview questions for the role you are pursuing and draft your answers to each. Then, practice saying each answer out loud to help you get comfortable with your responses.
Reread the job description- Ensure you know the details of the role. This includes qualifications and responsibilities. Think about how your skills, knowledge, and past experience align with those listed in the job description, and think of ways you can convey your match to them.
Prepare a list of references- While you may not have been required to include references in your application, it can help to streamline the hiring process if you bring them to your interview. Your preparation may also make a good impression on the interviewer.
Interview Day:
Plan your interview attire the night before- To help avoid running late on the day of your interview, find the clothes you plan to wear and ensure they are clean and in good shape. You can also consider shoes, accessories, and anything else about your appearance to appear as professional as possible.
Bring resume copies, a notebook, and a pen- Bringing a copy of your resume is an interview best practice. You are likely to learn information about the role and company that is important during your meeting. It can help to bring a notebook and pen to write down important information to avoid asking about it again in the future.
Arrive 10-15 minutes early- You want to be early for your interview, so plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled meeting. This can give you time to relax before the interview and can allow for traffic or parking issues.
After the Interview:
Ask about next steps- When the interview is complete, you can ask the employer about the next steps in the hiring process. This can help you learn how long it might take to hear back about whether you are hired.
Send a thank you letter after the interview- Once you get home from the interview, take the time to write a thank you letter to the interviewer. This can help make you more memorable, offers an opportunity to ask any final questions or provide additional information, and can help establish you as professional and eager about the role.