- Know where you’re going. It sounds painfully obvious, but you might be surprised at how many people don’t think about this until the morning of, creating unnecessary stress and travel delays. Find out where the interview will be, and look it up ahead of time. You might even want to do a trial run, to see how long it will take you. Remember to factor in weather and rush hour traffic, depending on the time of day and year. Leave with plenty of time in case of unexpected delays – arriving on time should be the least of your worries that morning! (And if you arrive early, it gives you time to take some deep breaths, go over what you plan to discuss, and get acclimated to the environment).
- Do your research. Review the organization’s website, become familiar with their mission statement, services, background, products, and client base. If you can, try to find out about their company culture and what it’s like working there.
- Come up with some questions for your interviewer about the company or position, based on the research you’ve done. Thoughtful questions show you’ve done your research and have thought critically about the position and what you’d be doing in the company.
- Be prepared. Bring extra copies of your resume or CV (on high-quality paper), a professional binder/notebook and pen, a list of references, and if necessary, a portfolio of work. Plan your outfit ahead of time: a neutral outfit in business attire is best.
- Be mindful of behavior and non-verbal communication. Conduct yourself professionally, even in the waiting room – you never know what will be observed or reported back to the hiring manager, and if you’re hired, you don’t want to give the wrong impression ahead of time. Be attentive and mannerly, respect personal space, have a firm handshake, make eye contact, and be confident.
- End on a high note. When the interview is over, ask about what you can expect next (will they call you, etc), and then send a personalized thank you note to your interviewer (or each of them, if you spoke with more than one).
Did you know that Thesis Editor can help you prepare? In addition to assistance with constructing or revising your resume or CV, we also offer consultations to help you prepare for interviews. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your job search process!
