Nail the basics: Dos and Don’ts of the Interview Process
At Frankly Hired we end up working with individuals focused on applying for all different types of roles and industries. Unfortunately, in this market many of the people that end up coming to us are tired of the grind, they’ve already applied to hundreds of companies, and continue to strike out. It’s frustrating, it gets you down, and has you questioning your skills and worth. Whether it's a sales, client success, marketing, engineering, or product-focused role, the interview process demands certain dos and don'ts. Let's explore what those are and make sure that we are nailing the basics to start.
The Dos
Research the company: Thoroughly research the company you are interviewing with. Understand their mission, values, products, and recent achievements. Tailor your interview responses to showcase how your skills and experience align with the company's goals and values.
Prepare stories and examples: Prepare compelling stories and examples that demonstrate your relevant skills and accomplishments. These can be past sales achievements, successful marketing campaigns, or specific engineering projects you have worked on. Use these stories to showcase your abilities and how you can add value to the company.
Highlight transferable skills: Emphasize your transferable skills that are relevant to the role you are applying for. For example, sales roles require excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills. Marketing roles demand creativity, analytical thinking, and an understanding of target audiences. Tailor your responses to highlight how your skills can be applied to the specific role.
Ask meaningful questions: Show curiosity and interest in the role and the company by asking thoughtful questions. Inquire about the company culture, growth opportunities, or specific challenges the team is facing. Asking such questions not only demonstrates your engagement but also helps you determine if the role and company are the right fit for you.
Practice for behavioral and situational questions: Practice answering behavioral and situational questions commonly asked during interviews. Behavioral questions aim to assess your past experiences and how you handle specific situations. Situational questions gauge your problem-solving abilities. Practice your responses to sharpen your interview skills and boost your confidence.
The Don'ts
Don't arrive late: Punctuality is vital. Arriving late for an interview creates a negative first impression and indicates a lack of professionalism. Plan your travel timeline, login to the Zoom link a couple days ahead of time to ensure your mic, video, etc are all working as expected.
Avoid speaking negatively about past experiences: Refrain from talking negatively about your previous employers or colleagues. Maintain a positive attitude and focus on the lessons learned and the skills you developed in those experiences. Interviewers value candidates who can remain professional and positive even in challenging situations.
Don't oversell yourself: While it's essential to highlight your skills and accomplishments, avoid exaggerating or misrepresenting your abilities. Be authentic and emphasize the value you can bring to the role. Interviewers appreciate honesty and transparency.
Highlight non-technical skills: Regardless of the role, soft skills play a crucial role in success. Effective communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork are all highly regarded by employers. Use examples from your past experiences to showcase these skills and how they can positively impact the role you're applying for.
Don't forget to follow up: After the interview, send a thank-you email or note to your interviewer, expressing your gratitude for the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the role. Personalize the message by referring to specific discussions or insights from the interview. This simple gesture demonstrates your professionalism and leaves a lasting impression.
By keeping these dos and don'ts in mind, you will be well-prepared to excel in the interview process, regardless of the role they are applying for. Remember to emphasize research, preparation, and authenticity as key components to interview success.
If you’ve been having trouble landing your dream job, reach out to Frankly Hired to schedule time to meet the team. We’re always happy to help professionals like yourself craft their resume or refine their interview skills to ensure they stand out.
