Job Interview Tips: Nailing Your First Professional Interview
Congratulations on landing your first professional interview! Nailing your first-round interview is a crucial step in getting your dream job; cue the internal panic, feel it for a few minutes, let it pass through you, now we prepare.
Remember how daunting final exams always felt? The pressure of its weighted score, the anticipation leading up to the exam date, it’s overwhelming and intimidating, but studying leads you from feeling panicked to prepared. Same goes for an interview, your nerves will severely lessen after you’ve done your due diligence in preparation.
Understanding the Company & Role
Interviewers appreciate it when candidates come into the conversation with a solid understanding of the organization. Start on the company website and jot down notes about their:
- Mission, morals, values, and culture
- Products/Services
- Latest industry news and trends
- Important people within the company
- Partnerships and projects
This knowledge not only exhibits your genuine interest and enthusiasm for the role, but it also helps to prepare a list of questions for the interviewer.
Once you’ve determined that the company is one you’d be excited to work for, do a deep dive on the job description. It not only helps to tailor your responses to the questions asked, but also ensures you’re genuinely interested in the job. Identify key responsibilities and required skills for the role and prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to meet those requirements.
Self-Assessment
Take some time to reflect on your own qualifications and experiences. What makes you a suitable candidate for the job? Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses. Prepare to talk about your skills, experiences, and accomplishments:
- Create a list of your key strengths and weaknesses.
- Think about relevant accomplishments, projects, and experiences you can discuss.
- Prepare examples that demonstrate your problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Practice Interview Questions
Prepare answers for common interview questions such as “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want to work here?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Practice your responses to these questions to ensure you’re clear and concise in your answers. Remember that as much as they want to know your skills, they also want to see your personality shine, so drop appropriate anecdotes from your personal life throughout the conversation.
Develop Your Questions
As much as they’re interviewing you, you’re interviewing them; it’s an opportunity for you to evaluate whether the company is the right fit for you. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. These questions should demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and organization. Here are some examples of great questions to ask the interviewer:
- What training will be available to me year 1?
- What does the onboarding process look like?
- How is your company dealing with economic uncertainty?
- How is success measured in this role?
- Who is your biggest competitor and what are you doing to set yourself above the
- Who would I be reporting to?
- Are there any questions or concerns you have about me that I can clarify?
Appropriate Appearances
Your attire is a significant part of making a great first impression. Dress professionally, taking into account the company’s dress code and industry standards. It’s always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. If your interview is virtual you know the drill, dress appropriately at least from the waist up and make sure you have a professional background and good lighting in camera-view.
Prepare Your Interview Materials
Whether your interview is virtual or in-person, you must come prepared with reference sheets, this includes:
- Physical or PDF of your resume and portfolio
- A list of references
- Your notes and questions for the interviewer
- Any additional documents the company may request
Planning Travel
Don’t leave transportation and logistics to the last minute. Plan how you’ll get to the interview location and factor in potential delays. Aim to arrive 10 minutes early to your in-person interview and 5 minutes early to your virtual interview.
The Interview Day
On the day of the interview:
- Eat a balanced meal to ensure you have enough energy.
- Arrive at the interview location early, allowing time for unexpected delays.
- Stay calm, be confident, and greet everyone you meet with respect and enthusiasm.
Follow-Up
After the interview, send a follow-up email to your interviewers. Express your appreciation for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. This is also an opportunity to address any points you may have missed during the interview.
Conclusion
Preparation is the key to a successful job interview. By researching the company, understanding the job description, assessing your qualifications, and practicing your responses, you’ll increase your confidence and make a strong impression. Remember, interviews are not just about the company evaluating you; they’re also a chance for you to assess whether the company aligns with your career goals.