By Patrick Delroony
Knowing how to impress on an interview can allow you to rise to the top of the applicant pool as the best candidate for the job. This requires thoughtful preparation prior to the interview and skillful execution during your brief opportunity with your prospective employer.
Preparation prior to the interview should include extensive research into the company. Learn what the company does in all of its branches or departments, and know the names of the principal leaders. This will help you to answer questions and to ask intelligent and relevant questions as well.
Excellent sources of information include any of the financial websites that offer stock information and analysis of the company. If the company is publicly traded, these sites offer a wealth of information on the company's performance, including their strengths, weaknesses, and forecasts for the future. Knowing this can be quite helpful in understanding how your expertise is suited to the needs of the company.
Once you have a solid understanding of the company and your prospective role, you can turn your attention to preparing for the day of the interview. To prepare for a punctual arrival, you can drive to the company in advance to assure yourself that you will know where you are going and how much travel time you will need. While you are there, you can accomplish another goal that was recommended in a book on how to interview with Fortune 500 companies.
On your test drive to the company, observe the current employees as they enter or leave work. Note the color and styles of clothing that they wear, as well as their hair styles. Being a team player is essential in many corporate environments, and this may give you an insight into the corporate culture and allow you to look the part of someone who is well-suited to joining their team.
Besides learning everything you can about a company and preparing to arrive on time and appropriately dressed, your preparation should also include anticipating questions that you may be asked. The goal should not be to have mechanical, rehearsed answers to every possible question.
You should, however, have an understanding of what employers want to know about you, and what you would like to communicate to them in a way that accentuates your personality. There are many books available that list typical interview questions. Browsing as many of these questions as you can will reduce the chance of being completely shocked by a question.
Sometimes the most unsettling question can be a very easy, open-ended one at the beginning of the interview, such as "tell me a little about yourself". A vague question like this can send your mind racing with uncertainty about what the employer is looking for, and how much you should say. Also, it may be asked in the beginning of the interview when you are the most nervous. Be prepared to give a brief and coherent introductory statement about yourself and your career ambition to avoid beginning the day with a lot of stammering.
Knowing how to impress on an interview can allow you to rise to the top of the applicant pool as the best candidate for the job. This requires thoughtful preparation prior to the interview and skillful execution during your brief opportunity with your prospective employer.
Preparation prior to the interview should include extensive research into the company. Learn what the company does in all of its branches or departments, and know the names of the principal leaders. This will help you to answer questions and to ask intelligent and relevant questions as well.
Excellent sources of information include any of the financial websites that offer stock information and analysis of the company. If the company is publicly traded, these sites offer a wealth of information on the company's performance, including their strengths, weaknesses, and forecasts for the future. Knowing this can be quite helpful in understanding how your expertise is suited to the needs of the company.
Once you have a solid understanding of the company and your prospective role, you can turn your attention to preparing for the day of the interview. To prepare for a punctual arrival, you can drive to the company in advance to assure yourself that you will know where you are going and how much travel time you will need. While you are there, you can accomplish another goal that was recommended in a book on how to interview with Fortune 500 companies.
On your test drive to the company, observe the current employees as they enter or leave work. Note the color and styles of clothing that they wear, as well as their hair styles. Being a team player is essential in many corporate environments, and this may give you an insight into the corporate culture and allow you to look the part of someone who is well-suited to joining their team.
Besides learning everything you can about a company and preparing to arrive on time and appropriately dressed, your preparation should also include anticipating questions that you may be asked. The goal should not be to have mechanical, rehearsed answers to every possible question.
You should, however, have an understanding of what employers want to know about you, and what you would like to communicate to them in a way that accentuates your personality. There are many books available that list typical interview questions. Browsing as many of these questions as you can will reduce the chance of being completely shocked by a question.
Sometimes the most unsettling question can be a very easy, open-ended one at the beginning of the interview, such as "tell me a little about yourself". A vague question like this can send your mind racing with uncertainty about what the employer is looking for, and how much you should say. Also, it may be asked in the beginning of the interview when you are the most nervous. Be prepared to give a brief and coherent introductory statement about yourself and your career ambition to avoid beginning the day with a lot of stammering.
It is likely that you may be surprised by some aspect of the interview. You will have to rely on your professional expertise, your experience, your preparation, and your natural personality to cope with these surprises in the best way you can.
Unfortunately, a poor performance during the interview can result in a lost opportunity even if you are the best candidate on paper. You may have knowledge, experience, talent, a great work ethic, and a wonderful personality. These skills may not be enough to get the job, however, if your nervousness and anxiety at the time of the interview prevents you from performing your best
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