Did you know that 33% of interviewers know whether they will hire someone within ninety seconds of an interview? That may seem like a short amount of time, but in fact, a lot is said in a minute and a half. We completely understand that our interview may be some candidates’ first interaction with the working world, so we decided to help! Today, we will share a few of our favorite interview tips and tricks. Ready to take charge of your career? Excellent – keep reading!
Have a dynamic resume
The first interaction that we have with candidates is their resumes. Now, the average job opening receives roughly 250 applications. So, the goal is to make sure that yours stands out. Keep it one page in length and have your text in a professional font like Arial or Times New Roman. Most importantly, you should know your resume inside and out. Your interviewer will ask you questions about the content you included and will worry about accuracy if you have to pull out your own copy to reference. It is of the utmost importance that you are factual and knowledgeable about every qualification that you include. If not, you will give off an air of inaccuracy and unprofessionalism.
What you say matters
Now, you’ve written and presented a fantastic resume and have moved on to questions about the position and why you are the best person for the job. You need to let the interviewer know that they can stop looking because their best candidate is sitting right before them. Speak clearly, use professional jargon, and avoid slang words. Now, our next bit of advice may seem obvious, but it is one of the most asked questions that typically receive a response of “none at this time.” The question is – do you have any questions for me? Prepare questions to ask your interviewer ahead of time. This will allow you to have plenty of knowledge about the position and also show that you are engaged in the conversation.
Thank you
Not only is saying thank you great interview etiquette, but it also shows your interest in the position and that you have excellent follow-up skills! We recommend that you go old-school and pull out a pen and paper. Send in a hand-written thank you note that details your appreciation for their time and the opportunity. This very well could be the icing on the cake that pushes your resume to the top of the applicant pile.
Our team here at Atlas Hartmann is rooting for every one of you to succeed. Hopefully, these tips have given you the knowledge and confidence to feel prepared to walk into your next interview. All you have to do is have a resume that catches the interviewer’s eye, keep your facts straight, speak with confidence, and thank your interviewer for their time. These simple tips will help you not only have a killer first 90 seconds but a great start to your career!
