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Interview Tips to Land That Dream Job

Interview Tips to Land That Dream Job

Congratulations — you finally landed an interview for your dream job! While that’s half the battle, you’re still competing against a number of candidates for one opening. You want to set yourself apart from everyone else, but standing out for standing out’s sake isn’t always a good thing. Here are some tips to ensure you are remembered for all the right reasons!

Ready to land that dream job?

Pre-Interview

Prepping for the interview may be the most crucial piece of the process. Even if you think you’re the LeBron James of interviewing, it can only benefit you to do your homework.

  • First and foremost, know your stuff. Research the company and get familiar with its work and culture. This is your chance to figure out why you’d be the perfect fit for the job.

  • Keep up with current events. Period. Nobody wants to hire someone who spends half their day using a smartphone and still doesn’t have a clue what’s going on in the world around them — especially in the industry they’re trying to work in.

  • Dress to impress! Don’t wait until the last minute to decide what you’ll be wearing. Let’s face it — superficial details matter! Guys, make sure that new suit is tailored to fit. Ladies, select clothing, accessories, makeup, and a hairstyle that complement you but don’t distract. Bottom line, this is not the time to try out that new trendy Kendall + Kylie dress you just got. Stick with the classics.

Interview

You’re prepped and ready to go! It’s game time — don’t get complacent yet. It may not be The Bachelor season premiere, but first impressions are still everything!

  • Arrive early but not too early. While it’s important to be punctual, you also don’t want to inconvenience the people interviewing you. Play it safe and walk into the office five, no more than 10, minutes early.

  • Make a memorable first impression. Give a strong handshake. Offer your interviewer(s) a printed copy of your resume upon sitting. Then don’t be afraid to build rapport, because it will set the stage for a more conversational interview.

  • Give more than a sentence for an answer. See each question as an opportunity to give examples and more developed answers of your experiences and qualifications. But try not to repeat yourself or embellish.

  • “Do you have any questions for us?” The answer is always YES! Ask at least one question, if not more. Even if they’ve answered most of your questions, it’s OK to ask them to elaborate on a topic you’re interested in — just ask something! For example:

    • What is the culture here like? Is it collaborative or more independently driven?
    • How do you envision success in this role and at this company?
    • What’s a good quality to succeed in this role?
    • What is your favorite part about working here?

Post-Interview

Whew. The hard part is over, but you’re not finished! 

  • Be sure to follow up immediately. Whether that’s an email or a letter, be sure to thank the interviewer for taking time out of their busy schedule to interview you. Let them know how appreciative you are. It also wouldn’t hurt to remind them why you’re a great fit for the company! 

If you haven’t already, take a lesson from recently crowned Miss Teen USA and be sure your social media is cleaned up. Check out our blog with guidelines on how to tidy up your social media presence for the job search.

This blog was written by our whip-smart and incredibly talented summer 2016 social media and strategy intern Taylor Austin.