Preparing For A Job Interview | Great Hire HR Solutions
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Properly preparing for a

job interview

In interviews, your job is to convince a recruiter that you have the skills, knowledge and experience for the job. Show motivation and convince a recruiter that you fit the organization's culture and job description, and you get that much closer to an offer. 

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By doing some minimal preparation work beforehand you will give yourself a leg up on competing candidates and be satisfied that you presented the best version of yourself with the hiring manager. After all, you rarely get a second chance to make a first impression. Be ready to make it count!

Preparing For A Job Interview | Interviewer

Research The Organization

  • Use tools like Vault, CareerSearch, Indeed, or The Riley Guide for an overview of the organization and it's industry profile.
  • Visit the companies website. This is simple and will ensure that you understand what it is that the companies operation is all about.
  • Get perspective. Do a web search for any news articles related to the company and ask your recruiter for any insight they can provide.
  • Develop A 1 or 2 Question List. Employers like initiative, but don't like being made to feel like they are being interviewed. Inquire and ask a couple of simple questions about what it is the company does and what functions the position you are applying for consists of.

Compare Your Skills To The Job Requirements

  • Analyze The Job Description. Outline the skills and ability required for the position.
  • Look Side-By-Side. Compare your skills to the outline of skills you've made. Don't be discouraged if you are lacking in an area. Most jobs are unique to the company operations and hiring managers don't always expect you to tick every single box. They are looking for more than just a checklist and consider personality, work ethic, and how well you would fit into the overall company culture.
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Plan On What To Wear

  • Go Neutral. Conservative business attire is always best such as a neutral colored collared long sleeve dress shirt, non denim pants and professional shoes. You can never go wrong with a suit or approriate length skirt and blouse. Even if the position doesn't call for formal business attire we've never had a hiring manager complain that a candidate was over-dressed.
  • Err Formal. If instructed to dress "business casual", use good judgement.
  • Plug In That Iron. Make sure your clothes are neat and wrinkle-free.
  • Dress To Impress. Be sure that your overall appearance is neat and clean.
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Plan What To Bring To The Interview

  • A Printed Extra Copy Of Your Resume
  • A Notepad Or Professional Binder & Pen
  • A List Of References
  • Information You Might Need To Complete An Application
  • A Portfolio With Samples Of Your Work (If Relevant)
Well written job descriptions | How To Write Your Own Job Description | Orange County

Pay Attention To Non-Verbal Communication

  • Be Mindful. Nonverbal communication speaks volumes.
  • Start Ahead. Remember that waiting room behavoirs may be reported.
  • Project Confidence. Smile, establish eye contact and use a firm handshake. Do not mistake projecting confidence for arrogance. This rarely goes over well.
  • Posture Counts. Sit up straight yet comfortably. Be aware of nervous gestures such as foot-tapping.
  • Respect Their Space. Do not place anything on the hiring manager's desk.
  • Manage Reactions. Facial expressions provide clues to your feelings. Manage how you react, and project a positive image.
Recruitment | writing job descriptions best practices | Qualifications & Skills

Follow Up

  • Send A Thank You E-mail. Not sending an e-mail to the interviewer within 24 hours of the interview is one of the most common mistakes potential candidates make. Sending a short e-mail thanking them for their time and expressing your interest in the position is always a good thing.
  • Keep Your Thank You E-mail Short & Sweet. A couple of sentences is enough. You don't want to come off as overly anxious. Just thankful for their time.
  • Use Spell & Grammar Check. We all have spell check in our e-mail. Make sure you use it! This e-mail can back fire on you if you rush through it.
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Wishing you the best of luck!
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