Do you want to stand out in today’s competitive market? What should you do before an interview to prepare for difficult questions?
Russell Tuckerton’s book, 15 Minutes to a Better Interview, reveals essential strategies for interview success that go far beyond standard preparation techniques. Prepping for an interview involves various interview formats, from career expos to phone screenings, and knowing how to navigate each one effectively.
Discover how you can become the candidate employers can’t ignore.
Interview Preparation Beyond One-on-One Meetings
When considering what you should do before an interview, it’s important to understand that diversifying your interview strategies beyond typical one-on-one meetings can significantly enhance your chances of securing employment.
1. Career Expo Success
Navigating job fairs effectively demands a tailored approach. When you arrive at a booth, it’s crucial to distinguish yourself from other candidates. Make a lasting first impression by wearing professional business attire, exhibiting genuine enthusiasm, and demonstrating deep interest in the company’s activities. Conduct in-depth research on the company, focusing on its primary products and services, and take note of the vacancies at its local office.
2. Strategic Resume Distribution
Your approach shouldn’t appear as though you’re merely distributing resumes without meaningful engagement. Craft your resume to reflect true eagerness, since any semblance of indifference might be interpreted as a lack of genuine interest. Consider taking a non-traditional route to approach company exhibits at fairs, rather than following the typical sequence from one booth to another. Remember that at corporate functions or large meetings in hotels or convention centers, HR staff and hiring managers evaluate your professional conduct and overall comportment, often using a scoring method to determine who advances to the next stage.
3. Resume Screening Essentials
The resume screening process is a crucial part of your job application journey. Make sure your CV includes relevant industry-specific terminology. Recruiters prioritize identifying experience and terminology that align with the job criteria during their assessment of incoming resumes. Essential skills and experience should correspond to the terms frequently used in the job advertisement. Hiring managers typically select resumes that match their criteria for initial phone interviews.
4. Mastering Phone Interviews
Consider the phone interview as a critical step in the evaluation process. These conversations typically last no longer than thirty minutes and focus on evaluating your specific skills, experience, and knowledge. Employers assess your enthusiasm, energy, and communication style during these discussions. While having the required skills is important, appearing indifferent or demonstrating poor communication abilities may prevent you from advancing in the recruitment process. However, if you display the right combination of eagerness and qualifications, you’re likely to move forward to face-to-face meetings. Companies often aim to schedule interviews with promising candidates quickly, sometimes within days. Think of this interaction as similar to the casual conversation you might have at a job fair—the goal remains the same.
