So you’ve made it through the first round of cuts and now it’s time for your in-person interview. This is your first shot at making a good impression and standing out against all of the other resumes. There’s probably going to be some qualified competition out there, so now’s the time to plan out what sets you apart.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
You’ve hopefully already done some decent company research before you applied. It’s time to get back to that and dig a little deeper into the company. The company website is a good place to start, but don’t stop at that. Do a Google News search to see what’s going on, what announcements are being made. Are there earnings reports? Leadership changes? This is a good place to see what others are saying about the company from the business side. After that, check out Glass Door and see what employees have to say about the internal organization. Finally, browse the company Facebook, Twitter and other social media. This will help you find out what’s important to the company and see how they interact with customers/fans.
But your research is only half done. Now it’s time to research your interviewer. Make sure to get the correct spelling of the main interviewer. Check them out on LinkedIn and see if you have any mutual connections. If so, this is a good time to reach out to them, possibly seek a recommendation, but at the very least get a good idea of their working style and what they look for when they’re hiring. Look at their work history and see if there are any experiences or affiliations you have in common. Also do a google search for articles and videos. Pay special attention to anything they’ve published themselves or presentations on YouTube. These all make for great talking points when you’re meeting in person.
GETTING READY
For better or worse, we’re all still judged in those first seconds of meeting someone. So your appearance is going to do the speaking for you. How you present yourself in this interview is your billboard ad. What message do you want to be sending?
My advice is always to dress the part. It’s time to suit up and if you are in doubt, you really can’t go wrong with a suit. Of course there are times when you can tailor your outfit to the job. When I interviewed for a job in fashion, I chose to go more stylish to show a good understanding of trends. And I was sure to wear a piece from the designer.
When planning out your killer interview outfit, consider a few things. Men have the power tie, usually a strong red that demands attention. I like to translate this into a red blouse or graphic top. This is a nice way to show your sense of style. I’ve included some of my favorites below.
Keep your accessories classic. Pearls are always a good idea, just avoid anything that dangles or makes noise. It can be distracting to you and the interviewer. Finish your outfit with a great pair of heels and a classic bag. This is my favorite place to splurge because expensive shoes will instantly elevate the rest of your outfit. All of the ones below are classic shoes that will still look great as trends come and go.
The last key to making a good impression is going to be your demeanor. Our unspoken actions speak volumes for us. If you haven’t seen the TED Talk from Amy Cuddy, now is a good time to check it out. She has done a ton of research on body language and has some great tips on confidence and how to fake it till you make it. She goes into the “power pose” – a sort of Wonder Woman like pose standing confidently hands on hips. I always make time to do this for at least 2 minutes before any interview – even if it’s just on the phone. It seems silly but it works!
PREPARE YOUR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
All interviews are different but there are some questions that you should always be prepared to answer. Tell me about yourself is one of them. Take this as an opportunity to give your pitch. Start with your background and how it’s gotten you to where you are. Then talk about your most recent work experience and tie it to what you know about the job descriptions. Then end with where you want to be. This should definitely pull directly from the job – new experience, more responsibility or a new industry.
There are a lot of great resources out there to help you prepare for the most common interview questions. Here are some of my favorites:
Remember that interviews aren’t just one way. This is also your opportunity to interview them as well. Make sure this is a company that you want to work for and learn more about the company culture. Here are a few questions you should absolutely ask:
- What are the goals and expectations for the role? It’s best to know up front what will be expected of you and how it will be measured.
- What is the work environment like? Will you be in a collaborative environment working with a team, or mainly on your own? Ask about management style and make sure it fits with yours. I absolutely could not work in a closely monitored or micromanaged environment.
- Is this a new role?
- What’s a typical day like?
THE FOLLOW UP
Following up after an interview is so, so important. I’ve seen a lot of younger people skip this step and trust me, people notice. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just a quick email thanking them for their time. Be sure to send it within 24 hours and mention something you talked about during your interview.
This is also a chance to really knock it out of the park if you want. I had an interview where they were looking for someone with more SEO knowledge. So in my follow-up email, I included some links to a few articles about SEO best practices. It’s a last chance to demonstrate your expertise and show that you can go above and beyond.
Interviews can be intimidating, but preparation and practice will help you master these situations. Remember to be confident because any company would be lucky to have you on their team.
Love,
Sara
Great points! Catherine