Let’s face it. Finding a job - regardless of your level of experience - can be a challenging task. In this blog series, we plan to equip you with the power to land the job of your dreams with 10 helpful tips for the job-seeking ECP. Let’s get started!
Job Search Tip #3: 4 Basic Steps to a Successful Job Interview
Preparing for an interview is an important part, if not the most important part, of the job search process. With the right amount of preparation, an interview can easily turn into a follow-up interview (or better yet, a job offer). For that reason, we’ve taken the time to put together these 4 basic steps as a guide to help you prepare for your next job interview.
Step 1: Do Your Homework
There’s no feeling quite like that of getting caught off guard in the middle of an important job interview with a rogue question from a top-notch interviewer. Although it’s nearly impossible to anticipate every single question an employer may ask during a job interview, that feeling, as awful as it is, can be easily avoided with a little research and planning prior to sitting in the hot seat. One of the best ways to prepare for a job interview is to take some time to familiarize yourself with the company you’re interviewing with. This can be achieved in many ways, the easiest of which is checking out the company’s website and soaking up as much information as possible from what they’ve provided online. If the company has a blog, take some time to read some of the posts to get a better understanding of what they do and how the communicate with their audience. Whichever way you choose to research before your interview, make sure you gather enough information to help you better anticipate the types of questions that may be asked during your interview.
Step 2: Dress To Impress
Whether you’re new to the interview game or a seasoned veteran, dressing in the appropriate attire is generally a good idea when you’re trying to make a good first impression to a potential employer. Although every office is different, it’s important that you don’t make assumptions based on what you think you know about the corporate culture of a particular organization prior to sitting for an interview. In other words, don’t dress down for an interview because you heard from a friend that XYZ Corporation has a laid back dress code. Likewise, you don’t need to throw on the most formal outfit you have just to impress an interviewer, either. The general rule of thumb is to dress Business Professional (Suits for men, and Pants Suits/Skirts for women) when sitting for a first interview. Even if your outfit doesn’t match the corporate attire, it’s best to over dress for an interview than to assume the other way around.
Step 3: Put On Your Game Face
In school, many people will tell you that showing up to class is half the battle. In real life, however, just showing up to an interview won’t guarantee you anything short of a glass of water and a handshake. If you want to walk away from an interview with a job offer in hand, you must show up ready to make your case for why you would be the perfect fit for that position. One good idea would be to bring a few copies of your Resume or CV with you, as well as a list of professional references. That way, if an interviewer asks you for any of these items, you’ll be prepared and ready to go with the right materials. Another good idea would be to smile, ask questions, and be completely engaged in the conversation. In other words, be yourself! Employers like to see that a prospective employee is excited about potentially working for their office, so don’t lose interview points by being negative or disengaged from the conversation.
Step 4: Show Your Appreciation
Last, but certainly not least, show your appreciation. When someone brings you in for an interview, they’re taking valuable time out of their day to meet with you and give you the opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the available position. Make sure to thank them at the beginning and end of the interview with a smile. Also, be sure to follow up promptly with a handwritten thank you note or an email. Keep in mind, too, that it’s not just their time you’re taking up - it’s yours as well. So, make your time and energy count by going out with a bang. Simple gestures like these can go a long way in an interview setting, so don’t forget to show your appreciation!
Overall, the in-person interview is a very important part of the job search process. Making sure you’re prepared, dressed appropriately, engaged in the conversation, and appreciative of the interviewer’s time are just a few important items to keep in mind when participating in a job interview. By taking these basic steps, you can adequately prepare for a job interview that could potentially result in achieving every job seeker’s ultimate end-goal: a job offer.
Ready to conquer your next interview? Well, you have to apply for the job first! Search eye care jobs on Local Eye Site today, and get one step closer to landing the perfect eye care job for you!
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