Interviewing 101
Part 3 of an on-going series designed to de-mystify the job hunting process. Part 1 on resume techniques here and part 2 on job hunting effectively here
One of the main feelings that comes with preparing for an interview is nervousness, which in of itself is not a bad thing. However, it does become a problem when it either makes you seem unprepared or makes you feel powerless. Remember: they need something from you, too. Interviews aren’t supposed to be adversarial. In fact, it really should be like a first date, a conversation to figure out if the two parties are compatible.
Keep reading for information on how to prepare properly, what to do during, and how to proceed after an interview.
Preparing for interview
Since you’ve already done the research into the industry, role, and company and have your notes to review, you can focus on the details of how best to showcase yourself. Look at the listed qualities that they are looking for and match them all to your experience and proven success, or demonstrate confidence that you can learn it. If they ask if you have this skill, your answer should never just be “no.” Instead, try phrases like “it’s been a while since I’ve had practice” or “not exactly, but I do have this similar skill that will transfer well.” While you can’t prep for every question they might ask, you can prep for the most likely ones.
Prep meaningful questions to ask them. These questions should not be answerable by their website, Wikipedia article, or one-word responses. Remember that interviewing is a two-way street and you need to be confident in your comfort in your future workplace. Some examples of quality questions:
How do you measure success for this role?
How does the company support the growth and development of its employees?
How does the company support diversity, inclusion, and individuality?
What type of people tend to thrive in this company/role?
What does the company do to support the personal well-being of its employees?
What is the feedback structure of the company for short- and long-term growth (annual performance reviews, weekly check-ins, etc.)?
What future do you see for the eventual employee in this role and for the company as a whole?
What are the next steps and timeline for the hiring process?
Confirm the time and date with an email, both for your certainty and to demonstrate your appropriate level of eagerness for the potential job. Calling isn’t the worst idea, but make sure that you are being respectful of their time.
Bring a notepad and pen, and use them! Taking notes not only shows that you came prepared, but it also shows that you care to pay attention. Using your phone elicits a feeling of being uninterested, closed-off, and inattentive, so leave your phone off the table completely and go old fashioned instead.
Wear something that makes you confident. “Dress for the job you want” is great advice until you trip in new heels or can’t figure out how to tie your tie at the last moment. Personally, I find confidence in more professional-style clothes, but someone else could experience feelings of discomfort or inauthenticity in the same outfit. Remember the location and culture of the company you’re trying to join: A three-piece suit won’t help you for an interview in a Florida summer, and a pencil skirt can feel stiff when your interviewers are in jeans. Nothing you wear should be in violation of company dress codes, so better to be safe than sorry by remaining conservative with hemlines, necklines, and patterns.
During the Interview
Posture, friendly facial expressions, and eye contact can be crucial for a successful interview. The first 7 seconds can be a make-or-break period for candidates, so practice that smile and work on your handshake (stand if you’re seated, firm grip, and eye contact).
Stay calm and fall back on your prep work when you need to. It’s better to sound rehearsed than unintelligible and unprepared.
Your focus should be on the person speaking. When answering a question, split your eye contact between all participating interviewers.
It’s okay to ask for clarification if you don’t understand the question! Avoid interrupting the question and ask for the clarification just before you answer. Similarly, you can absolutely take a breath to collect your thoughts before you start speaking. Starting a sentence without knowing the conclusion is a risk you don’t have to take.
Take notes and remain attentive to what you’ve already talked about. Some interviewers will pepper in info about their company policies and cultures throughout the conversation. At the end of their questions, review your notes for any more questions you have that have not been answered yet.
Make sure you know the timeline that the hiring manager is expecting to fill this position. This could include more interviews, in-depth background and reference checks, or on-boarding periods. Most importantly, know when you should expect to hear back about the outcome of your interview.
Following Up
You’re almost done! The hard parts are over, now you just need to set yourself up for the potential offer coming your way.
Immediately after, write down the names, roles, and any details you can remember about the interviewing team. You shouldn’t need reintroduced if/when you meet again. Also note the answers to your questions if you didn’t get a chance to write them down during the conversation.
Three days after your interview, send a thank you email to the hiring team. It’s a good reminder of your conversation as well as expected in many industries as best practice. Some great examples here and template here.
One to three days after the date they said the decision would be made, check in with the hiring team, unless you’ve received another offer. It’s perfectly reasonable to tell a potential employer about another opportunity you’re considering. Honesty can be helpful to both sides, so be prompt and open.
If you’re struggling to feel comfortable in interviews, try a mock interview. projectY members can schedule a mock interview for free!
