Best Practices forJob Interviews

There’s no other feeling like the one you get when you land a job interview. If you’re like most people, the thought of it fills you with a mix of dread and excitement - it could be the beginning of a great new career, but the fact that there’s so much at stake can make it nerve wracking. And there are so many questions: what do you wear? What questions should you ask? What should you bring?

Here are a few things that will help make a job interview a good experience for both you and your potential employer.

Best Practices for Job Interviews

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Do Research Online

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The moment you learn that you’re going to be interviewing somewhere, you should do some deep research into who they are and what they’re about. Surely you did a bit of this when you first learned about the position, but now is the time to figure out key details that could help you through your interview process.

Dig deep into their website to get an idea of the key figures at the company and past projects they’ve worked on. Then do a wider search. Look for news articles and blog posts that mention your company.

Many companies have a presence on sites like Glassdoor, where employees anonymously review their employers. These sites can provide you with both the positives about working at your prospective company, especially when it comes to salaries and the company culture. Keep in mind that every online review should be taken with a grain of salt, but it’s good to keep any interesting information in mind.

Look Sharp

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People stress out over what to wear on job interviews- and they should! The job market is as competitive today as it’s ever been, so how you present yourself offers a unique opportunity to set yourself apart. When an employer meets you, they’re thinking about how you’ll represent their company. They’re envisioning you talking to customers, sitting in on client meetings, and maybe even talking to the media.

Plan on wearing something nice and professional, but be sure to match it to whatever you think your industry call for. A job at a law firm may require a suit, but you’d probably want to look more relaxed for a creative position at an advertising agency.

One hard and fast rule: skip the cologne - you never know if the interviewer might be allergic.

Practice Healthy LivingThere’s nothing wrong with having a cocktail or two after a long day at work, but consider abstaining from drinking alcohol or smoking in the half day or so before your interview. If you really want to on top of your game and look as clear-eyed as possible, this is a surefire way to do it.

In fact, you should be sure to feed your body right in the hours leading up to the interview. For instance, having a big burger at lunch might put you in a bit of a food coma for your 3 p.m. interview, but a salad, or something else similarly healthy, will help you feel your best.

You may also want hit an a.m. yoga class or go for a morning run. Everyone feels better after a little physical activity, and this could help you feel clear minded for the big interview.

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Bring Supporting MaterialsPreparing is the name of the game when going in for a job interview, so be sure to bring along anything that might help your potential employer get a clear idea of who you are and what your talents consist of.

For starters, always bring hard copies of your resume. Even if you’ve sent your resume along several times before, the person you are interviewing with may not have it at his or her immediate disposal. Bringing it along shows that you’re prepared and detail oriented.

You should also bring any examples of past work that might help you get your current job. For instance, if you’re a graphic designer, bring along your portfolio - either a digital version or a hard copy - so they can get an idea of your talents firsthand. Also, if you created any presentations or big projects that may help you land the gig, bring them along as well. There’s a chance these things will never leave your briefcase, but if you get a chance to show them off, be sure to take it. Anything you can do to set yourself apart and show your talents will be helpful in terms of landing a new job.

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Have QuestionsA job interview is a conversation. That means both the hiring manager and the potential employee should be asking a lot of questions. After all, you want to make sure you know exactly what kind of role you may be taking on. And the questions you ask can show the interviewer how knowledgeable you are about the business, as well as give them an idea of how you think.

It can be tough to think up questions on the spot, so prepare a list of questions before you go into the interview. You may even want to write them down so you don’t forget them. Here are a few questions that will help you learn more about the job, and show the interviewer that you’re a serious candidate.

What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?What are challenges that someone in the role might face?Who would I report to?How do the different departments within the company work together?Is this a new role in the company?What are the markers for success for someone in this position?What do you envision for the company over the next two years?What about my past experience makes you think I’d be right for the job? Is there anything that concerns you?

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Get the Vibe of the OfficeWhat makes a good workplace? The answer will no doubt vary from person to person, but generally it’s a welcoming workspace and friendly coworkers. And then, of course, there are the intangibles, like an overall good vibe.

When you go into a company for an interview, try to get a read on the office. Do the employees look stressed out? Relaxed? Busy? Is it deathly quiet? Overly social? Does the office feel like a place where you’d like to spend eight to ten hours of your day?

Very few workplaces are going to be absolutely perfect, but keep an eye out for clues as to what it’s like to work there. If you end up getting offered the job, you want to be sure that you’re going to work for a place that you enjoy.

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Get There EarlyPunctuality is everything in the working world, and this is especially true when it comes to interviewing. Plan on arriving fifteen minutes before the time of your interview. You never know what traffic, parking, or some other obstacle will add extra time to your arrival.

On the flip side, you don’t want to arrive too early. Kill a few minutes somewhere outside the office making sure you have everything you need. You should make your presence known about 10 minutes before the time of your interview.

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Stay CalmFor some people, nervousness is their worst enemy when it comes to applying for a job. But really, there’s nothing to be nervous about. One thing that can help calm nerves is by thinking of it as a conversation rather than an interview.

Remember, an interview is really just you and another person getting to know each other. Yes, a new, potentially amazing new job, is on the line, but don’t think about that now. Focus on presenting your best self - and your best self is cool, calm, and collected, not a bundle of nerves. If all else fails, practice deep, steady breathing to bring your heart rate down.

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Say Thanks!After you’ve had your interview, be sure to touch base with the interviewer and thank them for their time. A polite email will generally work. If possible, try to include specifics in the thank you note, like, “It was great hearing about the plans you have for the company.” This will help make the note feel personal and real.

Depending on the role and your industry, you can also send a handwritten card. Since snail mail can be somewhat unpredictable, have the card on you during the interview so you can write the note and drop it into a mailbox immediately afterward, ensuring that they’ll get it in the next day or so.

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Look for FeedbackAfter your interview, one of three things will happen: you’ll get an offer, you’ll learn you didn’t get the job, or you’ll have to play a bit of a waiting game. If you run into one of these final two scenarios, there is nothing wrong with contacting the interviewer and asking for feedback.

If they tell you that they will “be in touch” or are “rethinking the position,” don’t be afraid to ask them if there’s anything else you can do or provide that might assuage any doubts or concerns. This is also the time where you can reiterate your interest in the position. Employers want to hire someone who wants to work for them.

If you don’t get the job, you can ask these same questions, but you can also be a bit more pointed. You can ask them if there was something specific that you said or did in the interview that made them think you weren’t a good fit for the job, or if there is something about your resume or experience that was working against you. While it may be unpleasant to hear some of these things, in the end knowing this information might help you land your next job.

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Be Positive!This is more a general rule that should govern the entire interview process. Looking for a job can be so many things - exhilarating, stressful, life-changing, and eye-opening. So go into the whole process with a positive outlook and be open to whatever the process might bring.

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