I've Landed An Interview - Now What?

3 minute read

Whether you're interviewing for your first job ever or just a new job in general; there are basic fundamentals of interviewing that everyone must know and *spoiler alert* they're mostly common sense! 

1. The Interview is Longer Than Just the Interview. Remember that you are being interviewed from the moment you drive into the parking lot until you are at least a mile away! While at your interview, you might encounter the receptionist, other staff, the recruiter etc. Just because they are not the person conducting your formal interview, does not mean that they will not be asked about their impressions. It’s also important to assume you are being interviewed within a mile to and from the interview site as you never know who you might be driving next to! 
   
   For remote interviews, assume every email and phone call with anyone at the company is relevant to your interview! 

2. Bring a Pen and Paper. Preferably in a padfolio but if you don't have one of those, at least bring a pad of paper, a notebook, a binder - bring something! Write down questions ahead of time that you want to make sure you ask. Write down the answers to those questions as you get them. Write down things you noticed about the culture or the environment, or about the job specifically. Write everything down! You will absolutely forget later, especially if you are interviewing with more than one company. 
   
   For remote interviews, either have a pad and paper with you, or have a document up on your screen where you can take notes! 
   

3. Ask Questions! It is so disappointing to sit in an interview with someone who has no questions. When you don’t ask questions, the message you might be sending is that you are not interested enough in this company or this job to be curious about anything. Additionally, you are likely not their only interview and these questions are an excellent way to stand out. Remember the questions you wrote down ahead of time? Use them! Even if you’ve asked other people before you those questions - ask again. It is always a good idea to compare answers amongst interviewers.
   

4. Do Your Research. Make sure your questions are well thought out and relevant to the position and the business. Even if all you have is 5 minutes before the interview, go to that business's website and poke around. You are much more impressive if you come into an interview with an idea of who a business is and how they operate. You will also formulate questions for yourself while you look around the website.
   
   Example: Thought to self: "Oh look, they support local charities. I wonder if they ever do any charity related activities outside of the office?"
   
   Used in an interview: "I noticed on your website that you support local charities. Do you ever do any charitable activities as a group outside of the office?"
   

5. Let's Talk About Your Attire. Do your research to understand the environment you're about to step into and dress to impress at least one level above it. Remember, you are interviewing to work for a company. You're asking them to let you represent them and everything they stand for. If they work with clients, you're asking them to let you be an advocate for that company in front of their clients and their community. If you show up looking like you didn't think about how you represented yourself, they might wonder if they can trust you to put thought into how you will represent the business.
   
   For remote interviews, follow this same guidance, except you might be able to keep your leggings on!