Your appearance is a reflection of your level of professionalism, how seriously you're taking the opportunity and your level of respect for the interviewer. So when it comes down to you and one other candidate, do you think the hiring manager will pick the candidate who showed up in jeans and a t-shirt, or the one who took the time to shave, iron his shirt and polish his shoes?
Here's the deal: Don't give your complete employment (or personal) history. Instead give a pitch—one that’s concise and compelling and that shows exactly why you’re the right fit for the job. Start off with the 2-3 specific accomplishments or experiences that you most want the interviewer to know about, then wrap up talking about how that prior experience has positioned you for this specific role.
Companies want to hire people who are passionate about the job, so you should have a great answer about why you want the position.First, identify a couple of key factors that make the role a great fit for you (e.g., “I love customer support because I love the constant human interaction and the satisfaction that comes from helping someone solve a problem"), then share why you love the company (e.g., “I’ve always been passionate about education, and I think you guys are doing great things, so I want to be a part of it”).
When answering this question, interview coach Pamela Skillings recommends being accurate (share your true strengths, not those you think the interviewer wants to hear); relevant (choose your strengths that are most targeted to this particular position); and specific (for example, instead of “people skills,” choose “persuasive communication” or “relationship building”). Then, follow up with an example of how you've demonstrated these traits in a professional setting.
What your interviewer is really trying to do with this question—beyond identifying any major red flags—is to gauge your self-awareness and honesty. So, “I can't meet a deadline to save my life” is not an option—but neither is “Nothing! I'm perfect!” Strike a balance by thinking of something that you struggle with but that you’re working to improve. For example, maybe you’ve never been strong at public speaking, but you've recently volunteered to run meetings to help you be more comfortable when addressing a crowd.
Your interview begins when you enter the doors of your potential employer. You need to research the company and prepare questions to ask. Be early to your interview and enter with a smile. Always follow up with the people involved in your interview and see below on what to include in that email.
When you walk out the door after a job interview, you still have one more chance to make a great impression. Too many job candidates miss the opportunity to gain an advantage by not effectively following up after interviews. Don’t be one of them.
The first step in writing an effective follow-up letter is to let the employer know you want the job. Use your email message to establish that the meeting has confirmed your interest in the position. Be specific and reference some of the information that the interviewer shared about the role which enhanced the appeal of working with the organization.
Was there something that you wished you had said at the interview but didn’t have the chance to mention? Use this opportunity to furnish any information that you didn’t share during the interview. This statement might include reference to an asset that wasn't probed by the interviewer, or you could provide more information on a question that stumped you
Of course, it’s important to say thank you for the time and consideration. You should express your gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the interviewer, for any accommodations that were made to facilitate the interview, along with a final reiteration of your interest.