Everywhere you look you can find tips for a successful interview performance, and the tips are well documented – be on time, dress appropriately, convey interest and enthusiasm, etc. While these tips are so well known, many don’t understand that the interview process is really a forum that is managed primarily by you, the job seeker. Doing this will showcase your knowledge and interest in the company, your passion and leadership abilities in enhancing the group, along with your value in being able to immediately contribute to your new organization.
JobReferences.com, powered by Allison & Taylor, Inc, The Reference Checking Company, suggests 3 steps that will make you the master of your future interviews:
- Research your potential employer beforehand and be prepared to offer recommendations for organizational improvement. Surprisingly few applicants invest the time in becoming knowledgeable about an employer’s business. Even fewer understand it well enough to offer potential recommendations for enhancement. While this is easier to do with an employer with which you’re already familiar – say, a former competitor – being able to offer ideas for organizational improvement will demonstrate your level of understanding of their processes and needs. Do some research and talk with employees in the industry before your interview.
- Be prepared to ask insightful – and if need be, tough – questions. Remember that not only should you be a “good fit” for a potential employer; they should be a good fit for you as well. Asking intelligent questions will demonstrate your own level of interest and intelligence and may reveal some responses that give you guidance as to whether you truly wish to work with this organization.
- Know ahead of time what your key references will say about you to prospective employers. You had better assume that they will contact both your former supervisor and Human Resources contacts at your recent places of employment (and perhaps some of your co-workers as well). If any of your references offer unfavorable commentary about you, it is unlikely you will be re-contacted by potential employers.
Determine beforehand what they will say about you by utilizing a third party reference checking firm such as JobReferences.com, powered by Allison & Taylor, Inc, The Reference Checking Company– if any negative commentary is revealed, you will have recourse to discourage a former employer from continuing to offer such remarks.
Invest the time to know your potential future employers – you will stand out from other candidates and better ensure that you will be their newest employee. Looking for work? Here’s a great place to find a new job.