Successful Interview Steps
1. Research the company and position you are interviewing for
When preparing for an interview in Charlotte NC or another city it is important to research the company and the type of business or services they provide.
A company’s website can reveal a treasure trove of information that can help you be more successful in the interview. You can also find reviews on companies on certain job search websites.
Learn about the history of the company and the size of the company. How long have they been in business?
Checkout their reviews on Glassdoor and see what current and former employees say about them.
If you know someone that works there you can ask them about the management structure/style of the company as well as what types of industry traits the company likes to hire such as problem-solving, communication skills, analytical skills, and business knowledge.
If you are working with IT staffing agencies ask them questions as they should be able to provide some insight into the company.
This research should help you figure out how to sell yourself best to future employers. You can then find various interview presentation templates and see which one fits the best for you. This way, you can feature your unique qualifications and experiences to the interviewer.
2. Practice your delivery by doing a mock interview
As they say, practice makes perfect. There are simple steps to practice during a mock interview.
You can rehearse with a friend some common interview questions using flashcards, additionally dressing in your interview attire and recording yourself interviewing then playing it back to see how you did is a good idea.
Also prepare a list of questions to ask the hiring manager during an interview. Taking these steps will help you get more comfortable with the interview process and hopefully help you land your next great job.
3. Dress to impress
Appropriate dress for an interview can often vary by industry. What one person wears to an interview at an MEP engineering company in Raleigh NC is different from what one wears at a web development company in Charlotte NC.
Dressing appropriately shows you have respect for the interviewer. The way you dress will make a statement about yourself before you even open your mouth.
It does not matter if it is true or not but what matters is your perception of hiring managers. Generally, the rule is to dress one level above the daily office attire required at the company.
If you do not know what that is called. Ask one of the engineering staffing agencies you are working with or if you applied to the company directly call the receptionist at the company and she should be able to inform you of the company dress code.
4. Be ready to have good responses to interview questions
There is an infinite number of questions you may be asked during an interview. Study this list and plan your answers to these questions ahead of time. Some of the more common interview questions are the following:
- Tell me a little bit about yourself?
- What is most important to you in a new position?
- What questions or concerns do you have about the job?
- What type of work environment do you thrive in?
- Why did you leave your last position?
- What makes you think you would excel at this job?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Tell me about some of your strengths and weaknesses?
- What is it about this company that makes you want to work here?
- What are your long term career goals?
5. Always follow up after the interview and get feedback.
Make sure and get a business card from the hiring manager so you can send them an email after the interview because it is a great idea to write a thank-you note expressing your interest in the position.
If you have interviewed with multiple people it is recommended to write each of them a note and be sure to mention something you talked about with them during the interview.
Also if there are any questions you forgot to ask during the interview this is a good time to address them
Need one of the best IT staffing agencies in charlotte? Reach out to the industry insiders at Apollo Technical