You’re counting down the days 'till your big interview. Hopefully, you’re also considering more than the countdown. Wondering what you should be doing to prepare? Here are a few tips to help you out:
Research! Don’t just skim the “about us” section on the company website. Really dig in! Familiarize yourself with their goals and values, incorporate their lingo into your vocabulary, and if you really want to impress—check out the company’s whereabouts in the news (think press releases or recent awards). But, don’t stop there! Get specifics—think relative stats, percentages, or known objectives that you can insert into the conversation. While you’re at it, think of how your own experience can lend itself to the company’s objectives, goals, and mission. You’re mission, after all, is to impress both on paper and in-person.
Pick out your outfit two nights before. You’re probably wondering why I said two nights versus the night before. The answer is simple: the suit you thought you picked up from the dry cleaners, isn’t in your closet! Or, maybe you didn’t notice that it no longer fits you (uh oh). Regardless, better to be over prepared than under. If you know ahead of time, you have some wiggle room to get to the cleaners, or to a retail location of choice.
Print your resume. You may be surprised by the number of people who forget, or neglect, to print out their resume and bring it to the interview. I mean, come on, this is a no-brainer! You may have already submitted it to HR, heck, you may have already emailed it to your interviewer… it doesn’t matter! Print it again—and on resume paper. This goes back to the point of being over prepared.
MapQuest your route, and account for traffic. That’s right, I said MapQuest. Don’t assume you know the way (unless, of course, you do), MapQuest a directions list. Check out alternate routes in case you encounter unexpected traffic. And for the love of God, leave early! If your directions say 24 minutes, allow 34… catching on to the 'over prepared' pattern? If you arrive early, great! But please, please use those few extra minutes to go over your strategy… ideally in your car or at a nearby cafe—DO NOT roll into the interview earlier than 15 minutes (and even that’s pushing it). Not only does it look overeager, but it suggests a disregard for scheduling, and will likely make the interviewer feel rushed.
Establish a professional presence the second that you walk in the door. Why? Because that’s when your interview starts. If there’s a receptionist, say “hello,” and, if it makes sense to, initiate small talk—keep it simple: a brief introduction, ask his or her name, maybe ask how his week is going. Perhaps an employee greets you, A.K.A. your potential, future colleague, be friendly and polite. Be conscious of your decisions (for example, don’t eat every single mint in the dish next to your seat) from the moment that you arrive until the moment that you exit.
Is that it? No, not by a long shot; but, it’s certainly enough to get you started and thinking. The rest is up to you. Now, prep up, suit up, and step up!
Good luck!
Tara Fox is a Project Support Specialist at entreQuest and works closely with all eQ team members to provide employees and clients with remarkable experiences.
