Most of my blogs revolve around health and fitness, but I have other things that I am passionate about...I swear! So this is a blog of a different type. You've been warned!
Years ago, I was in the corporate world and I had the honor of hiring and training for the company. I loved it! Well, the corporate world was not for me, but I was lucky enough to find a job that combines my love of animals with my love of interviewing people. Combined, I have been interviewing people for about 10 years on and off, and have learned a great deal about what makes a GREAT interview.
The other day I realized that interviewing is becoming a lost art form. Which is really a bummer because it is such a vital tool in life. So I put together a list of things that can help you when you are interviewing. Please spread the word. Let's bring back the Art of the Interview!!
The Art of the Interview
1. Show up early. Your interview time is not approximate. It is not a party where being fashionably late is acceptable. Being on time shows that you are punctual, reliable, and you respect other people's time. It also shows that you are capable of arriving on time to your job. When you arrive(early) be kind to everyone. I will ask the reception team how they viewed the person who came in. It says a lot about someone's character if they are kind to everyone, not just the interviewer. Be present, be kind, and be on time.
2. Always dress professionally, whether you are interviewing for a job on Wall Street or Jack in the Box. Professional wear includes: dress slacks, blouses, button up shirts, blazers, skirts, ties, suits, dress shoes. Women: Makeup and hair should be conservative. An interview is not the place to try your new glitter sparkle cat eye and red lip. Do not show cleavage. Do not show too much leg. Do not wear jeans, flip flops, t-shirts, or anything that you would consider wearing to a club, a gym or a BBQ. This is an impression you are making, so dress to impress. You want the interviewer to see that you are dressed professionally and not be distracted by your attire.
3. Practice shaking hands. You might think this doesn't matter, but it does. You want a firm handshake. Not weak, not aggressive. You want to shake the interviewer's hand, and look them in the eye. This says a lot. So while it might sound funny, try to practice your handshake.
4. Bring a copy of your resume and 3 professional references. Your resume should be well organized, easy to read, and on nice paper. Have someone help you with your resume if you are unsure of how to format it. And always, always, proof-read it before you print it!! I could write a whole blog on resume writing, but honestly if you need help, feel free to reach out to me!
5. Know the company you are interviewing for. This day and age, everyone and everything is online. Look up the company you are interviewing for to get an idea of what they are all about. If they have a mission statement, learn it and try to bring it up in the interview.
6. Watch your posture and realize that once you sit down your body language will speak volumes. Don't close yourself off, open yourself up! Sit tall, lean forward, make eye contact, and smile. Do not cross your arms, lean back in your chair or avert eye contact. Be engaged.
7. Be personable, but professional. I want to get an idea of who you are. Every company wants to see that you are the right "fit" for the job. So, while you need to be professional, it is totally okay to let your personality shine through. On the other hand, do not go too far with this. The person interviewing you doesn't need to know that you get really bad cramps, your boyfriend really failed on Valentine's Day, or that your mom hasn't talk to you in two years. Keep on topic.
8. Shine!! This is your time to tell me all about yourself. I know some people feel uncomfortable talking about themselves, but this is a requirement. You have to sell yourself in an interview. Why should they hire you? Based on what? The person who interviews you needs a reason to hire you, so give them lots of reasons! Before you go in to an interview, spend some time writing out your best qualities. Remember them. What are your strengths? What could you improve on? What do you love about the field you are interviewing for? What do you bring to the position? What sets you apart from others? Why do you want the job? Elaborate on things. A good interview will turn into a conversation, not just a question/answer session. Try not to answer with blunt, short, simple answers. Give them all you've got!
9. Ask questions. Some people think that an interview is just the interviewer asking questions, but an interview is an opportunity to get to know each other. Come prepared with a few questions to ask. Try not to focus too much on the salary though. Obviously, this is important, but tread lightly and try to ask it professionally. You don't want it to come across that money is your only driving factor in the quest for a job. Some questions that I enjoy are: What's a typical day like here? How many years has the company been around? What do you enjoy the most about your position? Is there room for advancement? Try to connect with the interviewer. Ask, ask, ask!
10. Ask for the job!! Asking for the job is so important, yet it rarely happens. It shows that you want the job, and you are assertive enough to just ask. I want to hear that you want THIS job, not just A job. I love when people want the job they are interviewing for. It really makes the person WANT to hire you. If it came down to two candidates that were both equally qualified for the job, but one person asked for the job, the person who WANTED it would probably be the one who got it.
11. At the end of your interview, always thank the interviewer, shake their hand, and smile. This is the last impression you leave with the interviewer, so make it pleasant! It is appropriate to ask, "When can I look forward to hearing from you regarding the position?" It plants a seed that there will be further communication and you are already looking forward to it! Thinking ahead is a great quality.
That's it for now. I hope you got something out of this blog. Please share with others that you know so we can bring back the Art of the Interview. We all know we need a job, but sometimes we don't know exactly how to go about getting the one we want. Interviewing is truly an art, but done correctly can land you with a great job! You'd be surprised that even if you might not be the most qualified, if you can interview well, most places will be willing to train you. So put yourself out there, be YOU, and go get that job!
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