Often looking for a new career can be a challenge in itself. In today’s climate, there are so many variables that can determine the outcome in multiple stages throughout the traditional “interview process”. One thing is for sure, it can be lengthy, unpredictable and full of surprises.
With all this said, lets focus on what you can control.
Woohooo… Congratulations… You’ve been selected to interview!
I say this with some satire, but let’s focus on a few assumptions here.
- You have a “interview worthy” resume
- Made it past the gatekeeper (HR/Talent Acquisition/Technical Leadership)
- Client “X” is generally interested in your candidacy
So now moving forward with this momentum, let’s home in on the objective.
Objective: Best understand the client, position and opportunity that could await you. Prepare yourself in the best way to get this information ahead of a potential offer so you can make the best decision for your career moving forward.
Please find below my personal recommendations on how to best position yourself once you find yourself at this stage.
Take the time to understand what the company you’re about to interview at is all about.
Do a quick scan on Google, go through their social medias, company website, Glassdoor, Indeed etc..
Here are some great questions you can ask yourself, before asking your interviewers.
- What is their brand online? Glassdoor recommendations?
- Are they hiring lots of roles or just yours?
- Why?
- What is driving the hiring at the moment?
- Why is the role open?
- Growth? (Great, what’s happening to trigger growth)
- Someone left the team (Great, why did they leave. Not all attrition is bad)
- What challenge are they hiring you to address?
Often your most powerful resource is yourself, and your network. Don’t be shy, reach out and get some insights before walking in blind!
Lastly, and maybe the most Important thing you can do is check your LinkedIn connections.
- Are you connected with anyone who is currently working there?
- If yes, reach out to them.
- What do they say about the company?
- What is the best thing about working there?
- The worst?
- Describe to me the working environment?
- If yes, reach out to them.
- Anyone that used to work there?
- If yes, reach out to them
- Why did they leave?
- What do they miss about working there?
- If yes, reach out to them
Assuming your connected with someone who worked or works at the company, this is a great place to get insight into what could be on the horizons. Often, they can provide you insights into the interview process, who’s interviewing you, what that person looks for etc…
Lastly, let’s get’ the bare basics out of the way
- Show up on time
- If you’re not 10minutes early, you’re late
- Show up presentable
- Notepad and pen with questions
- Write down your interviewer’s name. Refer to them by their names, which shows that at a bare minimum you’re interested in them, which could result in a better interview experience.
Alright, simple enough right? Believe it or not, some of these things can be deal breakers. Take control of the things you can and know for certain if you do or don’t get the job, it’s not because you were late or you weren’t prepared in the morning of.
First impression means a lot. Now there is always a balance, like anything in life. If you’re “technically a genius” and you’re interviewing for a role where there’s you, one other person in North America and four other people scattered across the world who can do this job, do as you want. Wear a garbage bag as a poncho and move around the office on a hoverboard and might even get an offer (maybe), who cares. But this article is based on controlling what you can, so do your best to be traditional, and show your quirkiness in other ways throughout the interview
Don’t ever forget, an interview is meant to be on both sides.
Co-Founder @ Avansai
