Getting a job is anything but easy. I’ve probably been on one hundred interviews in my life and I’m only 24 years old. I was either under-qualified, overqualified or just wasn't right for the position. It can be very discouraging especially when you need a job right away. There was a time, right out of college, when I went without a job for 5 months. I was a nervous wreck. I had bills to pay. Thankfully I had a good savings account to fall back on, but not everyone has a savings. Here are some tips on how to land that job interview.
Dress to Impress
Our generation has no idea what it means to dress professionally. Believe me, I’ve seen how millennials show up for interviews and job fairs. Casual will not land you the job. Every business professional wants to know that you will take your job seriously. That means dressing for the part. It doesn’t matter if you are interviewing for a restaurant or the CEO position of a fortune 500 company. Dress professional and you will be treated like a professional.
Research the Company
Do some homework before you go to an interview. Know the history of the company and know some fun facts about the business. Throw them in during the conversation. Ask the interviewer about their website or the position in general. Make sure, if you have any questions, you get them answered. They will be very impressed that you did some research beforehand. It shows them that you are truly interested in the position.
Come Prepared
The interview is not just about the interviewer asking you questions. Make sure you have questions to ask them as well. Ask them about their retirement plan. Ask them about moving up in the business. Ask them about health benefits. All that is important for you to know when making the decision whether to accept the job or not. Plus, they will be impressed that you understand the importance of all those benefits.
Be on time
This can be a tricky one because I myself get anxious. Don’t show up late to an interview of course, but don’t be too early either. Five minutes early is perfect. No more than 10 minutes early though. Also, if something comes up like a traffic jam or you have the flu, call as soon as possible and let them know the situation. They understand that life happens. Work with them to reschedule your interview.
Follow up
Sometimes professionals get busy running their businesses. They might interview you on Monday and the following week you still haven’t heard back. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. They’re human too. They forget. Give it a week and if you still haven’t heard back, follow up with a friendly call. They’ll see that you are truly interested in the job and they’ll appreciate the reminder. At least if they deny you the position, you won’t be sitting around waiting and wondering.
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