Interviews can be nerve-wracking affairs, as people naturally want to avoid rejection. Often, the hiring decision can come down to subjective feelings and perceptions about a person over their objective qualities. An interviewer’s first impression of you can set the stage for success or failure for the rest of the interview, so you want to make sure you get it right. Read on to learn our top five tips for how you can put your best foot forward in interviews.
Arrive Early, but not too Early
If your interview takes place in an unfamiliar part of town, feel free to show up early so you can make sure you can find adequate parking and avoid feeling rushed. Being early can help ease some anxiety you may feel before an interview, and it can give you more time to get in the right mindset.
Be Polite and Courteous to Everyone
Interviews are not solely about appeasing a hiring manager. Often, hiring managers will ask other employees who may have crossed paths with you for their thoughts and opinions of you. This point is mostly directed at the receptionists and custodial staff you may come across while waiting for your interview, but simply saying hello and asking passersby how their day is going can get back to the hiring manager, making you a more memorable candidate.
Err on the Side of Overdressing
Upon offering an interview, some companies will specify the dress code as business formal or business casual. Most businesses do not give clear instructions on interview attire, so do your research to determine the company’s culture and dress code ahead of time. If you can’t find out any information, it’s better to err on the side of being overdressed rather than underdressed for your interview.
Forge a Connection
Although hiring managers can seem intimidating, it’s important to remember that they are human, and humans, for the most part, want to make connections with other humans. Be observant about the hiring manager, their office, or the location of the interview to see if you can bond over something that you see. Do you notice knick-knacks representing your alma mater’s sports team in their office? Does the office have a beautiful view outside window? Use observations like these to forge a connection with those interviewing you when possible.
Some hiring managers don’t make room for small talk and appear very down-to-business. They won’t want to reveal anything about themselves, and they may come off as cool and uninterested. If this is the case, don’t give up on trying to connect with them, but read the room and avoid appearing nosy and intrusive.
Ask Thoughtful Questions
Make a list of insightful questions that you could ask during the interview and at the end when most interviewers ask, “do you have any questions for me?” Some questions that can make you appear thoughtful and interesting include:
- What do you think is the most important quality a person needs to be successful in this organization?
- How would you describe the company’s culture?
- What do the day-to-day operations for this job look like?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this job?
Asking insightful questions gives off the impression that you have given this position plenty of thought and that you are genuinely curious and interested in this position. Remember, hiring managers just want to find a great candidate to fill their position, and displaying enthusiasm through questions can make them more excited about offering you the job.
If you’re ready for a challenging career in the telecommunications industry, check out our open positions.
