Have you recently sent your resume to several companies for review? Are you preparing for a potential job interview? Whether you’ll be going for your 10th job interview or your first, it’s essential to prepare for every interview as if it’s the only job you want. This way you’ll be sure to give yourself the best possible chance of success.
You may be going for an interview at the Queensland police union or you could be heading into a career in the corporate world. Either way, the thought of going for a job interview can be nerve-wracking.
Market Yourself in the Best Way Possible
No one knows your job record better than you do. You may also have already gone for several interviews, leading you to believe that you don’t need to prepare for the next one. However, sitting down to prepare for your interview is a crucial part of marketing yourself correctly. We’ve got a few tips to help you with this.
1. Research the Company
Many people opt for this step before they send out their resumes. Others prefer to do this when they have been invited for an interview. While there’s no right or wrong here, you must do it at some point.
Take time to do as much research about the prospective company as possible. Here you want to focus on recent news articles, customer reviews, and social media pages. This will tell you more about the type of company and the general way they’re regarded. Checking this will make it easier for you to answer questions such as “Why do you want to work in our company” and “Do you know what our company is all about?”
It’s also an excellent idea to incorporate certain things that you’ve read, into the interview. For instance, you can mention that you have seen on the news that the company has shown significant growth over the last financial quarter. Or, if it’s a government organisation, you can mention that you’ve noticed the success of their recent volunteer project. Showing an interest in the organisation shows the interviewer that you’re serious about the position.
2. Review Your Personal “Why”
Once you’ve done the necessary research, it’s essential to sit down and review your own “why”. Simply put, “Why do you want to work for that particular organisation?” Just about every interviewer will ask this question, so you may as well prepare a professional, attention-grabbing answer!
Here you want to focus on career goals, company culture, and how this company aligns with your personal goals. For instance, if you have always had a passion for community service, this is worth mentioning if you’re having an interview at the local police station.
3. Think of Quality Personal Stories
Many interviewers will focus on what you’ve done at previous companies. Others will focus more extensively on what you have to offer their organisation. Either way, the result is the same. They want to establish if you can do the job and whether or not you have the necessary experience to fall back on.
This means it’s a good idea to think about personal stories that resonate with what you’ve done. For instance, if you have a customer service background, and you’re applying for a job in the same industry, you may be called on to relay a time you dealt with a particularly difficult customer.
Be sure to practice your stories with a friend, so that you’re sure you’re conveying your skill and talent in that field. It’s important to be honest and only use authentic experiences. An interviewer will be able to tell if you’re faking it!
4. Assess Your Future Career Goals
Your interviewer may also ask you one of those, “Where do you see yourself in five years” questions. These questions are asked because the interviewer wants to assess whether or not you’re looking for a career or simply a job.
Usually, people who want a job will only be there for a paycheck. Someone who wants a career will work harder to achieve company goals. The company is also more likely to appoint someone who sees themselves growing within the organisation.
5. Always Be Yourself
It’s essential to be the best version of yourself with every interview you attend. Many people refer to this as being your authentic self. This is the version of you that will shine through the most and will help you connect with your interviewer. This could be the secret to landing a second interview or even the job.
Final Thoughts
The way you carry yourself during a job interview will in most cases, be the deciding factor between whether you get the job or you get passed over. Since it’s highly unlikely that you’re going to random interviews for the fun of it, it’s essential to set some time aside to market yourself. That means, knowing and being able to effectively share the reasons why you’ll be the best candidate for the job. Use our tips to help you achieve this. Good luck!
