So, you’ve perfected your resume, spent countless hours scouring LinkedIn, applied to dozens of jobs and finally get word that you secured an interview with your dream company. Even if it’s not your “dream” company, it’s important to ensure that you’re prepped and ready to nail that interview and land the job. Amidst the excitement and pre-interview jitters, it can be tough to know where to even start. Cue: Greenfield Partners. We’re here to help. Let’s talk about three simple tips to make sure you walk into that interview confident and prepared.
Do your research.
Arguably the most obvious and most important tip: do your research – and we mean, really do your research. Before any interview, you want to make sure you know everything you can about the company. What’s the company’s mission statement? What are some of its key values? Take a look at the company’s LinkedIn page – have they shared any important milestones or news updates lately? Knowing this information ahead of time will not only show your interviewer that you’re prepared and passionate about the company but also help guide you when answering key questions.
Perfect your elevator pitch.
This can feel uncomfortable and unnatural at times, but it’s crucial to perfect your elevator pitch. More likely than not, one of the first questions your interviewer will ask is the dreaded and all encompassing, “Tell me a bit about yourself”. It can be tough to know where to even start – how can you sum up your years of experience in just a few sentences? Practicing ahead of time and writing down some key points and highlights you want to share will save you from talking in circles and ensure that your pitch is concise and to the point. Bonus tip? Review the job description and try to highlight any experience that matches with the role requirements.
Come prepared with questions.
Interviews should never be a one-way street. As important as it is for your interviewer to determine if you’re the right fit for the role, it’s just as important for you to determine if the role is the right fit for you. Take some time to reflect on what’s important to you for your next career move and write down a few questions to help you determine if this role is going to be able to fulfill those needs. Not only will questions help you navigate the process, but they help show your interviewer that you’re engaged. If you’re speaking with a hiring manager, ask some questions about their experience and career path (e.g. how they ended up in their current role, what their favorite part about the company is, what are some traits critical to success in this role, etc.).
Although interviews can be a stressful and intimidating process – they don’t have to be. Taking some time to really prepare for your interview will calm your jitters, guide the conversation and hopefully result in you landing that offer.
What are some of your key steps in interview prep?
