How to Turn Interviews Into Job Offers

Everyone knows that preparing for and going to an interview can be a nerve-wrecking process. From resume preparation and finding the best outfit to doing prior research on your potential employer, there are many things you can do to make sure you put your best foot forward and have the best interview you can have. Forbes.Com writer, Ochuko Dasimaka, recently posted an article on steps you can take to increase the chances of turning your interview into a job offer! Ochuko suggests that by following these steps will ensure great success in your interview.

1. Print extra copies of your resume and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. Most importantly, be respectful to everyone you encounter at the location of your interview — you never know the relationship between who you encounter and the hiring manager.

2. Make sure that you are dressed appropriately for the interview. Ask the recruiter what the dress code is, and whatever you do, don’t go overboard with your outfit, accessories or makeup.

3. Take a deep breath and remember to be confident when articulating your skills and work experience. Make sure that you are able to convince your interviewer that you are the perfect fit for the job. Compare the job description to your resume and identify specific job responsibilities and achievements that match the job description. During the interview, focus on articulating the value you have created for your previous and current employers in relation to the job you are applying for.

4. Demonstrate to your interviewer that you are interested enough to find out more information about the company. Before your interview, browse the company’s website and look for additional information about it on Google.

5. Work on establishing rapport with the recruiter and hiring manager. You can check out their LinkedIn profile to learn more about their professional history and read recommendations that they received and/or recommendations that they gave to others to learn more about their work ethic and values. This exercise helps you identify areas of your professional history and values that might be similar to that of your interviewer. Your research may also help you craft an interesting question for your interviewer about their background which you can ask during the interview.

6. Be prepared to answer common interview questions about yourself, like the following:

• Tell me about yourself.

• How long have you worked in your current and previous positions?

• Why are you looking for in a new job? 

• What do you know about our company?

• Why do you want to work for this company?

• What are your strengths?

• What are your weaknesses?

• What are some of your most significant work achievements?

• When was the last time you encountered a difficult customer or colleague? How did you handle it?

Practice answering these questions by asking a friend to help you conduct a mock interview. You can also hire a career coach or job interview coach to help refine your answers and build your confidence.

7. Your interviewer may also give you an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview, so think about what you would like to ask and make a list. Some questions include:

• Is this a new role or an existing role?

• Who would this position report to?

• What are the main challenges of this role?

• What makes a person succeed at this job?

• How does this company measure performance?

• What am I expected to accomplish in the first three to six months?

• How would you describe the culture of this company?

• What do you like about working for this company?

8. Show the interviewer that you are polite and that you appreciate his or her time. Send a thank you note to your interviewer reiterating your interest in the job.

9. Send a follow-up note if you don’t receive feedback on their decision by the expected date. Following up enables you to know if you need to keep waiting or if you need to keep applying for other jobs.

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