Interview–Job Search Lessons Learned: 12 Key Take-Aways (11)

Your due diligence has paid off, you have an interview. Congratulations! This could be a phone interview, video, or in-person. Remember, this is not only them interviewing you, but you interviewing them. You both have done as much due diligence as you can prior to the interview, but this is when you really get to know each other.

If you get a choice in scheduling, aim for 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. It is the sweet spot because you want to:

• Avoid Mondays and Fridays, employees are either recovering from the weekend or prepping for it. By the same token, avoid the first or last slots of any workday.
• Avoid lunchtime. If it is right before, you and your interviewer may be too hungry to concentrate, If it is immediately after, both of you may be in a food coma.

Before the Interview

You have done all your preparation for the specific role and company. Find a colleague, mentor, friend, or significant other to practice interviewing with. Refer back to the Résumé Information document and go over the ‘Typical Interview Questions Asked’ with this individual.

Do not have alcohol at least one full day prior to the interview, if not more. The night before, you need to ensure you get plenty of good sleep.

Video and In-Person

This is your first face-to-face impression, you must ensure your appearance is on par. Know their dress code, go one step above that and be conservative. Have that outfit pressed, ironed, hung up, and ready to go before the day of. Take some time and pamper yourself, too. You can get a haircut/hairdo and get a manicure. Guys, try getting a professional shave.

Phone

You will want a quiet place with a desk or table for your in order to write or utilize your computer. If you are interviewing from home, clean up your area. If you have to be in the office, find a private area. You can do all the items in the above section as well if it will help with your confidence and demeanor.

Before the Interview, Day Of

Have all of your stuff prepped and ready to go. Typically this would include a plain portfolio with a clean pad of paper and a working black pen. Have some questions picked out and written down from the Résumé Information‘s section ‘Interview Questions To Ask’. Print out the job description and take it with you. If you know who all you will be interviewing with, have one more copy of your résumé then you need. If you don’t know, print out five (5). Just in case, have three (3) to five (5) references handy if you have not already been asked for them.

I have also read, and even tried, a Résumé Folder that you are supposed to hand over at the end of the interview. I am personally not sure if it is a good thing or not, but I will go ahead and mention it.

Résumé Folder Contents

Staples poly letter size pocket folder (21638)

• Cover Letter
• Résumé (if you are doing the folder you do not have to have the additional résumés in your portfolio.)
• Job Description
• Copies of relevant certificates
• Portfolio
• References
• Business Cards

Don’t eat too much or too little and at the same time, be conscious of what you eat, nothing exotic. Fresh breath, but don’t be chewing gum while entering the building. If you are a smoker and can avoid it until afterward, don’t smoke. If you can’t know what you are going to do about the smell.

Build in a time cushion. “To be early is to be on-time and to be on-time is to be late.” If you arrive super early, just chill in the car for a bit and gather your thoughts and breathe.

Then, the obvious ones while being introduced or introducing yourself to anyone within the building: good posture, smile, eye-contact, and a good handshake.

During the Interview

I know you are nervous, and that is ok, but let’s overcome that with confidence, not arrogance because you and I both know that you’ve got this. Be enthusiastic about your answers and questions. You should be respectful and actively listen. You especially want to pay attention to ensure you do not ask questions that have already been answered organically during the process. Be yourself and conscience of your body Language.

Have a few success stories ready, highlighting your achievements and your strengths. Explain it using STAR, which is what my project portfolios are written in.

After the Interview

Typically, I have written and sent a Thank you letter within 24-hours expressing my gratitude and excitement. I at least try to reference at least one point from the interview. A few business days later or depending on what the timeline is, you will want to follow-up. Again, this is a brief note reiterating your excitement and referencing a different point from the interview.

So here is a question to the community:

“What is your interview prep routine?”

Thank you for your time,