Finding a job today can be extremely stressful. Scouring postings, creating a resume, and crafting the perfect cover letter are all just steps to what is the final and most difficult part of all: interviewing. Although each interview and interviewer is different, there are a few general tips you can keep in mind to help set you up for success before you even step foot in the building.
Give Yourself Time
Although your interviewer may not have a wealth of times available in which you can interview, try to plan it as strategically as possible to work with your schedule and your personality. Some people are early risers and present their best self while they’re fresh in the morning. Grab an early time slot if that’s how you tend to operate. However, if it takes you a few hours and several cups of coffee to get going in the morning, it would probably be best to snag an afternoon interview if possible. Consider your current work schedule as well, and how you could best plan around it without creating too much of a disturbance.
Scope the Place Out
Arriving late to an interview can hurt your chances before you even have the chance to answer a single question. You want to make sure to allow plenty of time to arrive at your destination. Leaving early will ensure that you’re not rushing or getting angry when other drivers slow you down. Not only is road rage dangerous, it raises your stress level which might make your interview go poorly. Scope out the route in advance, and make allowances for peak traffic levels that might occur at the time of your interview.
Do Some Research
In order to stand out in the candidate pool, make sure you take the time ahead of the interview to research not only the company, but your interviewer as well, if possible. When given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the meeting, commenting about important company news or initiatives is a great way to show you’ve done your homework. And by researching the interviewer as well, you may find a surprising link that will help them remember you amongst a sea of other candidates. Perhaps you attended the same college or you’ve both worked at the same company in the past. It’s a small world and you might be surprised by what you can find by examining their professional profile or their bio on the company’s website.
Even though interviewing can create a lot of anxiety for most people, you’ll be setting yourself up for success if you follow these few simple tips beforehand.
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