If you have been looking for a job recently you know that competition for the top jobs is fierce. With so much competition you have to separate yourself from the rest of the pack during your job interview. If you want the job you should focus on interview preparation.
There are many obvious things that you should be doing during an interview, be on time, look people in the eye, take extra resumes, you might not be aware of some other ways to really stand out and may make or break your chances of receiving a job offer. Candidates are encouraged to keep some of the following tips in mind when preparing themselves for an interview.
Research the company.
Since it’s just not possible to predict exactly what questions an interviewer will ask, if you extensively research the company, you’ll have a working knowledge of the organization so that you can at least anticipate what might be discussed. Start by reviewing the company’s website. Also search for press releases, newsletters, etc. Then, branch out to their social media pages and any other networking sites. Facebook and LinkedIn can be useful resources to study prior to an interview.
Know who you are meeting with.
It is important to establish rapport with the person interviewing you. The easiest way to accomplish this is to learn more about the leaders of the organization you will be interviewing with. Search for the CEO and the board of directors to gather the backgrounds on those that you might be meeting with. If you are able to share some common interests, then they are likely to remember you more than other candidates.
Have the strong understanding of the role.
Start by reading the description thoroughly. See if you can find the person who previously held the role on LinkedIn to get a better idea of what the role might entail that wasn’t in the description.
Have questions prepared.
Be sure to have more than just a few of them ready to ask. Prepare approximately 10-15 questions. You want to be informed and show your level of engagement. Questions about how your success will be measured and how the firm’s success is measured are all good ground to cover. Also, a variety of questions about the company and culture are important to ask.
Don’t talk about salary.
If it does come up, then it’s best to proceed with caution to avoid selling yourself short, or pricing yourself out of contention. Keep your answer as concise as possible by referencing the current market salary range for your position.
Be yourself in the interview.
It can be very tempting to change your persona in an effort to impress other people, this can be exhausting. It’s hard enough to interview so be as authentic and honest as possible during an interview.
The interview process is a critical phase in the hiring process. Give yourself the best opportunity to open new door in your career by putting your best foot forward. Preparation goes a long way! Building a relationship is the first step. The second step is to sell yourself and the third is to close the deal.
Are You Looking for Top Talent in Architecture, Interior Design or Technology?
Contact us to discuss how we can bring top leadership talent to your firm. David Brown International is s a global leader in executive recruiting and placement of top tier talent in Architecture, Design, and Technology. Our mission is to create a lasting legacy of success, growth, and profitability for our clients, candidates, and employees.
