Tips to Ace Your Next Interview

Job Interview Tips
What are you concerned about when you go on an interview? Most people tell me they’re worried they’re going to blow it and not get the job offer.

During my career as an executive recruiter and job search coach, I’ve helped hundreds of clients polish the interview skills needed to get their dream job. There are, however, basic steps you can take on your own to improve your own interview performance!

I’ve developed five tips to get you started. We’ll cover the first tip now. Ready? Here we go!

Tip Number 1: Do your homework!

Is this a job you really want? If so, get serious, roll up your sleeves and prepare! The “we’re hiring” signs you see all over the place may make you to think that every company will be eager to hire you. Uh-uh!  Make no mistake about it; competition is stiff for the good, well-paying jobs. Employers EXPECT job candidates to be prepared. Here are three areas to investigate:

Know the person (or people) who will interview you.

Find out about their career histories, schools, interests, publications–anything that seems to excite them in life. How?

  • First, use your LinkedIn skills; read their profiles and posts. See if you have any mutual connections that you might contact.  Look for some insights into the people and their company.
  • Next, go to Glassdoor.com. (Don’t know Glassdoor? Good time to check it out.) Search for company information and employee reviews.          
  • Finally, crank up the ol’ search engine! Do some googling and you may find things that can help you build a connection. (Note: It’s perfectly acceptable to ask who will be on your hiring committee so that you can do this research.)

Research the company.

  • First, read their website! Not just a glance, devour it. (Side-tip: Also check it the day before the interview; be up-to-date.) What’s the latest? What foundations or charities do they support? Any recent mergers or acquisitions?  What’s in their vocabulary (terms germane to their product and history)?  Be able to use it.
  • Next, it’s search engine time again! Use similar tools to those above. Find the company’s history, financial position, competitors, and challenges. Not to mention NEWS!

Find out about other key people in the company.

Obviously, this could be quite useful if you happen to be introduced to them. And knowing about these key people demonstrates you’ve done thorough research, as well as giving you insights into how the company works. This is ALWAYS a good thing in an interview.

Well, that’s the first tip. If you’d like to hear about the remaining four tips (such as “How to help guide the interview” and “The Follow-up”), please let us know at start@aportlandcareer.com.

Now, get out there and go for it!

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Janet Brumbaugh, MA is an executive recruiter and job search coach. Video taped interview preparation is just one component of her comprehensive job search package for executive and senior level professionals. janet@aportlandcareer.com

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Janet Brumbaugh

For over 25 years as a top recruiter, I helped companies find the best people for their mid-to-senior level positions from sales directors to CEOs. I watched great candidates lose offers because they did not know how to effectively present what they had to bring to the company. When I opened my own recruiting business in 2003, people asked me if I did job search coaching. At first, I said, “No, that is not what I do.” Then I thought, “Why not?” I liked the idea of helping people secure leadership positions. My years of finding and placing candidates has given me a 360° insider’s view that I can share with you, the job seeker. I received a B.A. degree from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Education from the University of Connecticut.

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