For example, the job posting might say you need excellent time management skills and close attention to detail. When you get to the interview, you can talk about how you’ve used those skills in the past.
Referencing past projects or asking questions about future ones is a great way to show that you care about this job and the company.
If the company doesn’t have a blog or a social media page, that’s fine too. Just spend time looking through their website.
You should pay special attention to your “skills” or “qualifications” section since that’s where you get to talk about why you’re a good fit for the job.
If a friend or a loved one isn’t available, look up some common interview questions and practice answering them in a mirror.
If you were caring for a sick loved one, you can talk about how it helped you gain perspective on the world. If you were traveling, you can talk about how you experience diverse cultures and how you’d use those experiences in the workplace.
“At my last job, I was in charge of our weekly team meetings. I used my skills as a leader and as a team player to make sure everyone felt involved and like they had a say in what was going on. ” “My previous role as a customer service rep taught me a lot about communication and the importance of attentive listening. ”
“When I saw the listing for an accountant at your company, I was intrigued. I heard about how well your company treats its employees, and I’m interested in the projects that you do. ” “My background is in biology, and I’ve always been interested in animals. When the position for a zookeeper opened up, I knew I had to jump on it. ”
You might say, “As a general contractor, I learned a lot about the inner workings of the construction field. Since I have so many years of experience, I know that I could run a construction team efficiently. ” Or, “When I was a waiter, I learned how to multitask and use my time wisely. I think that I can transfer those skills into a managerial position easily, especially since I know how to run the front of the house. ”
What does a typical work day look like? What are the most immediate projects that need to be addressed? What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face? Can you show me examples of projects I’d be working on?
It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. You can learn about the dress code / typical attire by checking out pictures on the company’s website or social media pages.
Make your travel arrangements well ahead of the day of the interview. Showing up on time can mean the difference between getting the job and not getting the job.
You can also use one of the copies as a guide as you talk through your job experience and qualifications. If you submitted work samples, you may want to bring a few copies of those as well.
If you have a couple interviewers, you don’t need to shake everyone’s hand. Just introduce yourself to the group.
