No Resume? No Interview Experience? No Problem! Part Two
As someone about to embark on paid employment in your chosen profession, it can be a daunting time. This may be your first experience in crafting a professional resume and attending an important interview. In Part One, we tackled how to approach your resume. Now, we will look at the all-important interview process and how to ace it.
Your first interview can be quite a stressful issue if you are not properly prepared. A lot of things need to be kept in mind whilst preparing for it. Many organisations recruit graduates or school-leavers not on the basis of academic qualifications only. Employers focus more on attitude, energy level, interpersonal skills, communication, and so on.
If you have sent out resumes to several firms within your industry, and this has resulted in an interview, it is essential to gain good knowledge about the company. Gaining all possible information about the organisation and the position that is being applied for is the initial step to be taken towards the preparation. Gathering enough knowledge about the firm ensures that you are thoroughly conscious of the workplace and environment. This also makes the employer feel that you spent time on facts about the organisation, which might be quite beneficial for them. In fact, this helps to create a great first impression and also will boost your confidence levels. It has never been easier to research a company and its workplace ethos. Obviously, the organisation is likely to have an extensive website, which you should read in its entirety to perhaps glean some interesting nuggets that you can repeat in the interview. After the company’s own website, your next most valuable resource is people who work there (or who have worked there recently). If you do not know anyone already, look for connections on LinkedIn, and ask if they would mind sharing their thoughts on their work and the organisation. Keep it professional and remember that whatever you talk about might get back to the hiring manager. Consider beginning the dialogue with: “I’m considering an opportunity with XYZ & Co and hoping to learn more about your experience working there.”
Next up, dress appropriately. Your resume will have given a professional impression, so follow that up with your appearance. It is a good idea to find out whether the firm is corporate or business casual so that the clothes can be worn accordingly.
Your job interview will start the second you walk in the door, so be ready. This even means practising walking into a room if you have to. But more than anything, learn how first impressions work and do everything you can to make a good one: be on time, make eye contact, and be aware of your body language. Remember, confidence and poise will go a long way in your first impression — if you do not want to be there, they will know!
The questions you will be given will naturally reflect the fact that you will likely have little to no practical experience and so will focus upon your soft skills and the more esoteric questions such as “Why do you want to work here?” and “What will you bring to XYZ & Co?” Most of your answers will probably follow a specific pattern, so when in doubt, fall back on the STAR technique that will have scaffolded your key achievements on your resume. But most of all: think quickly about why they are asking you each question and tailor your responses to their hidden motives. Do not be afraid to dance around questions you would rather not answer, too.
When the opportunity naturally arises – have some questions of your own that you would like to ask. This is your chance to not only make a good impression but learn a bit more about the company and the job you are applying for. Ask a few questions that will make you look good, as well as some questions that will show you whether this is the right job for you. With the right questions prepared, you will be one step ahead of the competition.
Hopefully, with the right preparation, your interview will go smoothly. But, if you end up answering a question terribly or hit a mental brick wall, learn how to turn the tide quickly so you can get back on good footing. If you leave the interview thinking the whole thing was a disaster, you can always request a second interview explaining the problems you had, too.
Finally, never ask about remuneration unless the employer asks about the expected salary. Also, it is vital to be a patient listener and interactive, and the interview could be a successful one if a good rapport can be built. Try to arrive at least 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled interview time and carry an updated resume with you. Before closing the interview, never forget to thank the employer before leaving. Also, do not let your interview be the last they hear from you. If you follow up afterwards, you will help them remember who you are, and it helps make sure your resume does not get lost in a pile. Send a thank-you note after your interview and a short email later on to check in if you have not heard back.
These tips should help you through your first interview, but not every interview will be a winner, sadly, even if you do everything right. If you do not get hired, the best thing you can do is find out why and apply that knowledge to your next round of interviews. Look back on your interview and think about what you could have done better and what you will do better next time.
