Just like professional athletes commit to standard routines before a game or competition, job seekers should have their own pre-interview routine in place. Whether you prefer to quietly reflect on the upcoming event or energize yourself in preparation, knowing and following a routine can help you focus on the goal ahead and in turn, increase your likelihood of ensuring a successful interview. To put your best face forward and land your new job, practice the following steps right before your next interview:
- Consult the Internet one last time. While you should already be well-versed in the company’s mission, values, and current events, it is highly recommended to take one last look at the company’s website and social media pages right in preparation for your interview. If there are any new updates or breaking news that you can reference during the interview, this will give you an excellent opportunity to show you are interested, informed, and help you stand out from other candidates.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Take notice of how the walls, offices, cubicles, and lobby are decorated; this can give you a sneak peek into the company’s culture, something you can’t learn online. This is also a great time to scope out your competition. Many times, the person leaving when you walk in is another candidate, or other interviewees may be waiting in the lobby with you. Taking in the atmosphere and potential competition are both excellent gauges of what you can specifically bring to the company’s table that either the company itself or the other candidates currently do not or cannot.
- Present yourself positively. This may sound simple, but pre-interview nerves can sometimes leave a negative first impression. Take a deep breath and smile purposefully and with confidence with every person you meet. Also, try not to carry too much to your interview so you will always have a free hand for shaking. Remember that interviews are often under time constraints, so be ready to hit the ground running the second the interview begins. Finally, make a point to be friendly to the receptionist or front desk security; he or she may be scoping you out for the employer. Act as if anything you say or do will be relayed to the interviewer.
You only get one chance at making a great and successful first impression, and the relatively brief time allotted during an interview is often your one and only chance to prove you are truly the best candidate for the job. Getting into the routine of taking just a few minutes of preparation before your interview to mentally prepare can make all the difference in letting your confidence and abilities shine through. If you are looking to fine-tune your interview skills to land your next job, do not hesitate to contact the hiring experts at Staffers today!