Graduates… Learn how to make an interview work for You

The person who gets hired is the person aces the interview. And the person who aces the interview is the person an employer remembers during the interviewing process. 

It all starts with the first impression you create. Whether it is an introduction, a letter, a resumé or your first, “Hello, nice to meet you”…First impressions are critical to a relationship, a meeting, an interview and getting a job. 

There are many first impression opportunities. Some are formal and some are informal, but they are all first impressions.

  1. Ace the interview and you will get the job. You get hired for your potential. Determine how you are going to explain your passion and potential for the job.
  2. Remember that a job interview is not about you, it is about the person who makes the decision who to hire. Know everything you possibly can about the company, their competitors, revenues, clients, community involvement, history, etc.
  3. Before an interview, meet with people who do what you want to do.
  4. An interviewer wants to know three things:
    • Can you do the job?
    • Will you fit in?
    • Do you want the job? That is all!
  5. The interviewer wants four things from a candidate: 
  • Job qualification is 10% (…if you weren’t qualified you wouldn’t be in the interview)
  • Appearance accounts for 25%
  • Communication skills account for 25%
  • Attitude and motivation are 40%
  1. The interview answers need to describe your skills or the qualities you know they are looking for. Prove them with Situation Action Result stories.
  2. Pretend the interviewer is saying, “What’s in it for me?” after each question.
  3. Now it is your turn. The best question at the end of the interview is

 “Is there anything I can say or do that can help you make a decision to choose me before you make a decision?”

  1. The biggest mistake is not closing the interview or telling the interviewer that you want the job. DO NOT BEG!
  2. Be memorable, wrap up with a 60 second sell.
  3. Send, snail mail,  a Thank You letter, the real purpose is to say REMEMBER ME!
  4. When you land, tell everyone you know. It is called advertising. Post it on LI.
  5. Say a special thank you to people who have helped you along the way.
  6. The person who gets hired is the person they remember.

How do you differentiate yourself in an interview? Send a Thank You card and send an email. Both of these scream – REMEMBER ME! What else can you do to be memorable?