Job interviews aren’t generally associated with a simple stroll in the park, leisurely day activity. Contrarily, old familiar foes like stress, anxiety, and self-doubt suddenly sneak back into your psyche like the slippery adversaries they are. Here’s hoping a couple of tips from the Beyond Limits recruitment team can help you navigate the interview process with more confidence and finesse.
Research the Prospective Company
Dive into their website, look at Crunchbase, search relevant news, scan social media, and anything else you can think of to get the info needed to paint a picture of what the company is all about. This will accomplish two things:
+ You’ll feel better equipped when it comes to preparing for specific subject matters that may be inquired about during the interview process.
+ You’ll find key information that presents opportunities to ask more relevant questions, helping you better assess whether the position is an ideal fit.
Sharpen Up Those Interview Skills
You know the types of skills we are talking about here, but the most important soft skill for an interview comes down to communication. Concentrated practice around the way you express yourself can help boost your comfort level when it comes time to talk.
An important consideration includes the way you communicate your day-to-day working style and problem-solving skills. For example, here at Beyond Limits, we are a very team-based organization that finds value in a candidate who can clearly communicate solutions to their coworkers. The other side of that coin also finds value in an individual who can ask for help when necessary. Don’t be surprised to find that an interviewer may probe into your responses to determine how you communicate your thoughts.
Brush up on the position’s key fundamentals. It can be easy to fall back on those really impressive specialized capabilities, but each candidate’s expertise has multiple levels/layers that are worthy of a refresh. For example, a Software Engineering candidate may want to take another look at some of those Computer Science fundamentals from “back in the day,” no matter how inconsequential they may seem at this stage in their career.
Ask Your Recruiter Basic (Yet Relevant) Pre-Interview Questions
Make sure you get in all those pre-questions to set you up for the moment that official interview finally arrives. Don’t worry if the questions seem too obvious. Not sure? Just ask! Your confidence for the next stage will only grow with every extra ounce of clarity. Examples of some simple questions/considerations you may not have thought of, but will make a huge difference when the time comes, include:
+ If you have a phone interview planned, ask whether you’ll need to be online as well (i.e. Zoom, Skype, etc.), and for how long; it’s important to allow for enough time in your schedule so you don’t feel rushed.
+ If the next interview is onsite, ask about dress code and parking/building entry instructions. One of the main reasons candidates are late is because they get caught up trying to figure out exactly where to go or what to wear at the last minute.
An Interview Goes Both Ways
Ask all the questions. Great questions with intention will be remembered! Here are examples of some fantastic questions that stuck with us:
+ What does success in this role look like for the first 30, 60, 90, etc. days?
+ What do some of the company goals look like for this calendar year?
+ What attracted you (the interviewer) to Beyond Limits & what do you enjoy about working for the company?
Questions such as these show you are not simply “looking for your next job,” but that you are seeking to discover a long-term “fit” with a company that truly aligns with your values and personal/professional goals.
It May Seem “Old-School,” but Don’t Forget that Resume
True, a lot of companies (Beyond Limits included) have gone digital – but you might be surprised by how many companies still maintain that paper resume expectation. Think of the resume-prep project more as your opportunity to thoroughly research the company and ensure the skills you’re putting forward align with the position’s requirements.
Follow Up!
Every interview should follow up with a “thank you.” The subsequent correspondence is an effective way of driving home your interest level. It’s also the perfect opportunity to ask any questions that might have slipped your mind during the actual interview. There have even been instances for our recruiters where candidates further expanded on questions they weren’t able to answer as comprehensively as they wanted during the interview. Interviewers always appreciate (and remember) those kinds of gestures.
Best of luck job hunters!
Be sure to check out Beyond Limits’ current open positions.
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