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So, you just got the call letting you know that you have a job interview next week.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Going into an interview cold and relying solely on your personality\u00a0<\/span>isn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0going to do you any\u00a0<\/span>favor<\/span>s<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0Preparation is key to a successful and memorable interview.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I like to look at the interview process in three stages: pre-interview, interview, and post-interview. Having coached several people as well as being an interviewer, I am going to share my tips for each stage, enabling you to be more confident and ready for your big day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Research the company<\/strong><\/p>\n I cannot stress researching the company enough. One of my biggest pet peeves is when an individual shows up for an interview and has no knowledge of the company.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Spend time on the company\u2019s website and social media platforms. See how they interact with customers and how they share their story. Is the brand more comical or more serious? Also, look for news articles about the company. For instance, was the company recently featured for sustainability efforts, or has the CEO been recognized at a major event?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n By doing this research, you can speak more confidently about why you are right for the job. You can also weave their history into your answers. For example,\u00a0<\/span>if you are asked, \u201c<\/span>How would you ensure customer service?<\/span>\u201d You respond could be, \u201cThat is a great question.<\/span>\u00a0I know that customer service is extremely important to your company as you pride yourself on having a five-star rating. At my former company, we had similar expectations. In\u00a0<\/span>former\u00a0<\/span>my<\/span>\u00a0role, I made it a priority to always welcome customers with a smile and make sure they had what they needed. Through survey data, I often exceeded customer expectations.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Rehearse stock questions\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n In almost every interview, you are going to be asked the following:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Be prepared to answer these questions, and don\u2019t seem caught off guard. As an interviewer, I want to see that you know who you are and where you want to go.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For the \u201cWhat are your weaknesses?\u201d question, do not, under any circumstance, say you have no weaknesses. Such a statement comes off as arrogant and lacking self-awareness. Be honest with yourself and do some self-exploration. When you arrive at a weakness, share how you are working to improve that trait or quality. For instance, if you have time management problems, you could say, \u201cI sometimes struggle with time management.\u00a0<\/span>I think I<\/span>\u00a0know how long a project is going to take, but once I\u00a0<\/span>start,<\/span>\u00a0I realize it is going to take a lot longer.\u00a0<\/span>To prevent this from happening,\u00a0<\/span>I\u00a0<\/span>now outline all the necessary tasks and estimate time for each task before starting on the project.\u00a0<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 3. Prepare your own set of questions<\/strong><\/p>\n An interview should be a conversation.<\/span>\u00a0You are interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you. Not asking questions gives the interviewer the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>sense<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>you\u00a0<\/span>don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0want to know\u00a0<\/span>more,<\/span>\u00a0or you\u00a0<\/span>don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0care.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Come prepared with three to five thoughtful questions. Here are a few to consider:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Refrain from asking about salary and benefits unless the interviewer brings them up. These questions can be answered when an offer is made.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 4. <\/strong>Practice, practice, practice\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Interviewing is a skill, and you\u00a0<\/span>have to<\/span>\u00a0continually practice. Get with a friend or family member and have them ask you potential interview questions. You can find lists of interview questions through a simple Google search; however, don\u2019t memorize these questions as there is no guarantee they will be asked.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Get feedback from your mock interviewers, especially about body language and tone of voice. If you are struggling in this area, record yourself to become aware of the problem areas. You might recognize you have a distracting social tic such as tapping your foot or rubbing your nose.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 5. Plan your attire the night before\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Make sure your clothes are cleaned, pressed, and ready to go the night before. Even spend time shining your shoes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you are unsure of what to wear to the interview, do some research. Look at the company\u2019s social media or website to get a feel of the culture. See if you can find an \u201cAbout Us\u201d or \u201cContact Us\u201d section as you\u2019ll often find employee profiles.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve done research and are still unsure, air on the side of being more formal than casual.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 6. <\/strong>Plan what you will bring to the interview\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Bring at least five copies of your resume, a pen, and a notepad. I recommend printing your resume on resume paper if you can. The added touch goes a long way.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Also, write down your question<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0on the notepad\u00a0<\/span>you<\/span>\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0bringing. This shows that you are\u00a0<\/span>prepared,<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>you\u2019ve<\/span>\u00a0done your research.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 7. Be authentic\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t try to be anyone but yourself. Let your personality shine through. If you aren\u2019t genuine, you will be caught eventually.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One of my favorite interviews was when an\u00a0<\/span>interviewee<\/span>\u00a0revealed her love for Buffalo Wild Wings after being asked,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cTell us about a brand that has had a successful marketing strategy.\u201d It caught me by\u00a0<\/span>surprise,<\/span>\u00a0but\u00a0<\/span>the answer<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>humanized her and showed her personality.<\/span>\u00a0She was able to tie this passion into her response\u00a0<\/span>seamlessly<\/span>, and\u00a0<\/span>I\u2019ll<\/span>\u00a0never forget it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 8. <\/strong>Be confident in body language and speech<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0showtime, so be sure to put all that practice to\u00a0<\/span>good use<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>I know that nerves will kick<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>, and you<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>might<\/span>\u00a0have the tendency to look down or\u00a0<\/span>away<\/span>. Instead, try to make eye contact with the interviewer.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nPre-Interview<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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\nDuring Interview<\/span><\/h3>\n