In the last couple of articles, we talked about getting organized for a job search and creating effective resumes and cover letters. Now all you need to do is send out your resume and accept an offer, right? Not even close.

A well-crafted resume will get you an interview but that’s all it can do, in fact, that’s all that it’s intended to do. From this point forward, the resume will only serve as a talking point for the interviewer. It’s up to you to show them you’re the best person for the job. So how do you do that?

Know every detail on your resume

It may sound odd, but I’ve often interviewed people that seemed confused when I brought up a role or task from their resume. To me, this was a clear indication that the interviewee was not prepared. They had most likely made the effort to have someone help write their resume but had made little effort to connect the resume details with relatable job accomplishments.

Know where you’re going

Not in life, although that’s important too and may be connected to one of the interview questions. I mean where are you going for the interview? Spend 10 minutes the day before your interview to look up the address and plan the route you’re going to take. Stress is going to be your worst enemy at an interview. There’s no reason to create your own.

Be on time

Arrive at the interview 5-10 minutes early. This will make sure you can prepare yourself both mentally and physically. If you follow the previous step and plan your route to the interview properly, you won’t have to worry about being on time.

Research the company where you’re interviewing

One of the fastest ways for an interview to go downhill is to have to answer “no” to the question. “Do you know what we do around here?” Spend time to find out:

• What the company does.
• What role you applied for.
• How many people work for the company.
• What the dress code is.
• Who their clients are. 
• What their values are.

This information should be available through their website, LinkedIn, and other social media.

Dress accordingly

While you’re doing your research, have a look at any pictures on company social media and specifically what is being worn by people while in the office. This should help you to gauge what the company dress code might be. If you have any doubts, dress professionally or speak to a career coach.

Pay attention to your personal hygiene

Shower, brush your teeth and if you must wear perfume or cologne, use it sparingly. Do not skip this step. They won’t tell you if you were rejected due to poor hygiene, it will just be one of many reasons that fall into the “it just wasn’t the right fit” category.

Practice your interview skills

I can’t stress this one enough. The best way to be prepared for the widest range of possible questions is to practice answering as many questions as you can. Ask for help from a mentor, career coach, trusted friend, or colleague, or stand in front of a mirror and record your answers. Not sure what questions they will ask? A Google or Bing search can help to give you a good idea. Or you could use ChatGPT or Bing. If you’re not sure what prompts to use, try; “I’m applying for a job as [role] at [company]. Provide me with 10 possible interview questions I may be asked.” That should get you started.

Ask questions

It’s very rare that an interviewer will answer all the questions you may have about a job. This is your opportunity to learn more about the company, the role or the culture. If you struggle with what to ask in an interview, write down questions ahead of time and refer to your notes when asked if you have any questions. If you don’t have any questions, you may appear indifferent or uninterested in the job.

Respect the interview space

Throw out any scrap paper, push in your chair and if you accepted the offer of something to drink during the interview, ask where you can put your used cup, glass, empty water bottle, etc. More than likely the interviewer will take care of it but by offering, you send a positive message.

Thank them and ask for the job

The interviewer has taken the time to meet with you, be polite and thank them for their time and if you want the job, tell them you want it. Be genuine and express that you would really like to work there or that you really feel it’s a good fit and ask about the timeline they will make their decision.

Follow up

This involves a few steps:

• Within 24 hours of the interview, Email the interviewer and thank them again for meeting with you. Take the opportunity to tell them again that you want the job.
• Based on the timeline you got when you asked when they will make their final decision, follow up at the end of the process. Wait 2-3 business days after the decision date and send an Email asking for an update.
• If you didn’t get the job, ask why. The feedback can help you improve your interview skills and process in the future or might allow you to clarify a misunderstanding in your experience or abilities and put you back in the running.

Try to stay positive

The job search process can feel long and drawn out. Sometimes it can take weeks from start to finish and there will be times when you’re frustrated by the length of time it takes or just not knowing when or if you will hear from the interviewer. When this happens, try to be patient, and don’t send multiple follow-up emails.

The interview is arguably the most important step in your job search, but a surprising number of people don’t prepare for it the way that they should. By following the steps outlined above and spending time preparing, you can reduce your stress levels and make the interview process a rewarding experience.

A good mentor or career coach can not only help you build an effective resume but can also help make sure that you’re prepared for your interview. For more advice on crushing your interview, purchase Practical Advice for Job Seekers, join my discord community or reach out to me for a free 15-minute consultation.