6 Things You Should Know BEFORE Your Next Job Interview
Want to ace your next job interview ? There are a few things you should know first.
We asked a group of successful entrepreneurs and business owners for their thoughts on the what every job seeker should know before they walk into the interview room. The answers below are provided by members of BusinessCollective, a virtual mentor-ship program powered by America’s most ambitious young thought leaders, entrepreneurs, executives and small business owners, including the members of FounderSociety.
1. Information About the Company
I am always impressed by job candidates who show that they have done their research on my company. We often post about our team and company on social media. When a candidate references something that we posted, it shows that they have taken the time to get to know the company and are serious about the position.
When a company is hiring, it’s because they’re trying to fulfill a specific need. With that said, they actually need you just as much as you need them. The sooner job candidates see this, the sooner they’ll spend less time trying to impress the company and spend more time trying to see if they’re a good fit for the company’s culture and values.
While good research is vital and showing detailed knowledge of the business and your interviewer is impressive, I don’t always want to hear what you think I want to hear. Taking this approach means that as an interviewer, I don’t get an accurate sense of the person and what they can offer — which is essential to have a chance of getting the job.
The most impressive candidates are those who come to a job interview with a deep understanding of the business and can identify a few pain points and how they might address them. If they come in with a good understanding of how they will contribute to the business and can communicate their value clearly, it makes it an easier decision to hire them.
Candidates should be ready with questions to ask. They should have at least two or three about the company and the position. This keeps the conversation rolling, and it shows that you’ve done your research beforehand.
Along with the proper skills and experience, confidence is one of the most important interviewee qualities I look for. I want to work with someone who believes that they can accomplish what they set their mind to and believes they are what I’ve been missing. I want people on my team who are confident enough to know who they are and what they want, and who can take ownership and be leaders.