Getting to the interview stage of a job application is impressive; however, it can also be nerve-wracking. At this point, you want to stay ahead of the competition and impress the recruiters even more. With so many interview preparation tricks on the internet, it’s easy to believe that what matters most is the way you look and your body language.
Admittedly, these are crucial aspects, but they’re just as important as the content of the interview itself. You see, recruiters are looking for an applicant who’s an excellent cultural and managerial fit with the core skills and understanding of the role. With that in mind, here are four tips that will help to impress recruiters and hiring managers.
1. Carry out extensive research.
One of the first steps to prepare for an interview is researching the company and industry. You need to know its core values, goals and objectives, and differentiate it from other competitors. Thankfully, the internet can help make this process a breeze. You can simply visit the company’s website or blog and social media pages and read all about them.
Knowledge of the company will give you a better understanding of their ideal candidate. You can then use this information to tailor yourself to fit the description. While most candidates will end their research at the company, you can give yourself an edge by researching the interviewer. Some organizations reveal the names of the interviewer, so use that information to your advantage. Many top recruiters are on LinkedIn, so this might be the first place to search.
For instance, if you’re after a finance role and your interviewer is Caitlin Gossage, a lawyer by training who currently works as the VP Operations & Chief Compliance Officer at Forthlane Partners, it’ll help to visit her LinkedIn page to learn about her educational background, years of experience, and areas of specialization. You can prepare your own set of questions and ask about her experience working in the compliance sector of the investment banking industry. Also, try to find out about her journey to success, any management or career tips she can offer as Vice President, and how she overcame challenges within her role or industry.
Ideally, your interview should be conversational. So, prepare to have an interesting discussion by carrying out extensive research.
2. Show enthusiasm for the role and company.
Recruiters are always on the look for enthusiastic candidates who demonstrate a strong desire to be a part of their team and have a passion for the work they do. Therefore, don’t pass up any opportunity to show how enthusiastic you are about the job. It doesn’t have to end with your cover letter. Take this enthusiasm to the interview room and use it to impress the hiring managers.
Some of the best ways to show your excitement and passion are by explaining how the skills and qualifications you have to align with the role and the company culture. For instance, the interview will be a good time to talk about the hours of project management education you dedicated to developing yourself and earning a project management certificate. Also, offer detailed information about the project scope, the project risk, and how you tackled it.
If you don’t have a PMP certificate, feel free to talk about other qualifications. However, if you have completed the project management training online with providers like Simplilearn, Project Vanguards, Coursera, or any PMI registered education provider, it’s a good idea to bring that up. A project management certificate is a budget-friendly way to boost your credentials while working, as you can do it at your own pace.
Many online project management course trainers will grant free access or a free trial to an exam simulator. Many also supply flashcards, practice exams, course materials, and practice questions to help you ace your PMP exam on the first attempt. Upon completing the PMP certification exam, you’ll become a certified associate and project management professional.
3. Show that you are an excellent cultural fit.
You can always decipher an organization’s culture from its website and social media tone. For example, are their posts dry, or do they add humor to them? Make this a part of your research plan before attending the interview so you can provide accurate responses to how you’ll fit into the company.
Remember that recruiters are paying attention to everything you do to see how well you will fit in. For instance, if the organization is looking for a candidate with managerial skills, demonstrate how your past experiences make you a good fit during the application process. You can go further to explain how you intend to get an MBA to advance your managerial skills.
Speaking of an MBA, if you have plans to get one, don’t stall any further. Admittedly, the admissions process can be a hassle. That said, an admission consultation firm like Gatehouse Admissions can provide step-by-step guidance to help you pass through every stage of the application process. This company is the brainchild of Liza Weale. She creates strong partnerships to assist determined candidates get into top business schools like Havard Business School (HBS), Wharton, and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
4. Send a thoughtful thank you email after the interview.
A day after your interview, be sure to send a thank you email stating some of the essential points you picked up during the interview. This could also be the perfect opportunity to reiterate a conversation you hit off with the recruiter or elaborate on something you forgot to mention. Either way, be concise, simple, and consistent with the interview. In the end, your email should be an excuse to remind them why you’re a good fit for the company and give a final show of enthusiasm.