The interview itself is imperative, but what one does before and after the interview also plays into the likelihood of receiving the job offer. Amanda Divine, a recruiter at Cornerstone RPO, shares a few of her before, during, and after interview tips.
Before
Every resume should have at least two sets of eyes look at it. This maximizes your chance of discovering flaws and helps to organize the information on the resume in an effective manner. Always make sure a resume is legible and fluid. A fluid resume is one that is not choppy and reads across smoothly. Additionally, a resume should be standardized. Do not use any wild fonts or a font size larger than 12. The most significant items should be at the top of your resume. Your last jobs should be included on the top and ensure that your education is present on the resume as well.
Always research the company before the interview. Know when they were founded, the company mission, what the company does, etc. Your knowledge here will considerably help your ability to answer questions during the interview and to ask valuable and impressive questions at the end of the interview. Additionally, make sure to know what position you are interviewing for and what its exact title is.
During
During the interview make sure to communicate and dress professionally. Despite the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, an interviewer’s first impression of the interviewee is how the interviewee presents himself. This includes how he dresses, his eye contact, his handshake, how he speaks, everything. No matter where or for what the interview is for, never wear jeans to an interview.
When asked to share experiences with the interviewer, be specific. Use names (first names only), and talk about how you, and anyone else that worked on the project, got over obstacles and ultimately completed the project. The most important thing when speaking of your obstacles is to be honest, but never complain about them. Ultimately, you want to show the interviewer that you can solve problems and finish projects.
After
After the interview is over, be sure to thank the interviewer for his time. The next step is to send a thank you card to the interviewer. This could be an e-mail or a hand-written card depending on the circumstance. If you hear back from the company and are not offered the position, still send a thank you card. A smart idea is to request consideration for other positions available within the company.
Although everyone wants feedback from the interview immediately after they finish, wait a week to call back and ask. One does not want to seem desperate or needy.
If the job offer comes and you decide to turn it down, respond within 24 hours. The company and its recruiters are working hard to ensure they put the right person into that open spot. The Golden Rule is important here. “Treat others as you would have them do unto you.”
