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Acquirent Interview Tips

by | |Career

I find it amazing that in this day and age (Google, LinkedIn, etc.) there are still candidates who struggle and encounter challenges when preparing for an interview. Below are some “outside the box” tips that can help you on your next interview. These 5 tips were designed to help candidates have a better understanding of what can help you stand out in the eyes of most recruiters and hiring managers. Enjoy!

  1. Plan ahead – Make sure you do your research on the company and individuals that you are scheduled to be meeting with. Most recruiters will give you the name and title of the people that you will be meeting with so make sure you look them up on either the company website or LinkedIn. Knowing their role within the company and past experience will immediately show that you have done your homework and are prepared.

 

  1. Come prepared to ask questions – This is a no brainer and one of the biggest pet peeves for any recruiter or hiring manager. It is always a good idea to have at least 3 to 5 questions to ask toward the end of your interview. Questions like “Why is this position available?” “Is there an opportunity for career pathing / growth?” “What is the company culture like?” “What are the expectations and / or metrics with this role?” are usually a good start. I would stay away from asking questions about compensation unless the recruiter brings it up first.
  1. Avoid arriving too early for your interview – Another pet peeve for most recruiters and hiring managers. Interviews are scheduled at a specific time for a reason. Most recruiters have a set process in place and schedule their interviews accordingly. By arriving 30 minutes early for your interview, you are essentially making an assumption that the recruiter / hiring manager doesn’t have a busy schedule and can meet with you at whatever time. It also puts pressure on them to stop what they are doing to come out and greet you. The rule of thumb here is to arrive anywhere between 5 to 10 minutes is acceptable. If you find that you have arrived at your location early, use the extra time to prep for your interview in the lobby downstairs.
  1. Practice Practice Practice – Everyone gets a little nervous just before an interview or presentation. It’s normal and natural. The best way to combat the “pregame jitters” is to role play or rehearse for the interview. Ask a friend or your spouse to play the role of the recruiter / hiring manger. Make sure that you play a few different scenarios (tough interviewer and casual interviewer) this will help you feel more at ease when it’s time to shine.
  1. The Close / Thank you note / Follow up – Three categories in one tip? Yeah. At the conclusion of your interview, if you are interested in the position let the recruiter / hiring know. Thank them for their time and let them know that you are excited about the role and look forward to the next steps. Next should be sending a thank you note. Email is the norm these days but if you really want to stand out from the other candidates, a hand written note goes a long way. Finally, you should plan on following up with the recruiter a day or two after your interview. Most recruiters are good about connecting with you to offer some feedback, but it should be a two-way street. Don’t be afraid to call the recruiter to express your interest in the role. This will let the recruiter know that you seriously interested in the opportunity.

In the end, it is all about preparation and follow up. Happy interviewing!!!