Interview Tips!

Following up to my Resume writing tips, here are some tips to nail your interview!

Today's employment landscape is highly competitive, to land an interview means you have something that they liked on your resume, now is your chance to show what you're made of!

DO's
-Dress professionally, this is not an old fashioned suggestion this is what you must do to be perceived as serious and professional for the job, whether the culture allows for blue jeans or is business professional, you should dress professionally.
-Bring extra copies of your resume and references in a folder or padfolio, do not assume that they have your resume already
-Come prepared with knowledge of the company, recent news clips, a good understanding of what the company does, their history, key executives, etc. this shows that you did your homework.
-Know the job description inside and out and have examples prepared that focus on how you have demonstrated your abilities in the past relevant to the job.
-Use the STAR format in answering all questions - Situation, Task, Action, Result.
-Practice! Rehearse answers to situational/behavioral based interview questions, odds are they are going to ask you.
-Show up early, allow yourself time to decompress, straighten your outfit, go to restroom, time to park, etc.

DON'T
-Bring a resume that you have folded in half and is in your pocket
-Show up late
-Use casual language, be professional
-Overdo it, be yourself, be honest
-Talk bad about previous employers, even if you feel strongly about a former employer talking poorly about them reflects very negatively on your professionalism.
-Slouch or other lazy type of posture, sit up straight.

The biggest things I can stress are preparing yourself to be successful in the interview, practice answering questions, think of specific situations that reflect on your skills. Be confident and make sure to ask for business cards of who you interview with so you can send a hand written thank you following the interview. Don't be afraid to ask for the job or at least ask what the next steps will be and when you will hear back.

Be confident, you CAN DO IT!