Starting a job search means preparing yourself for the best case scenario: an interview! Job Interviews can be very difficult to navigate and it’s essential that you are prepared for anything the interview could throw at you.
We’ve put together an ultimate interview guide based on 10 of the best articles from some of the top career sources. These articles are meant to guide you through any type of interview format or question you may encounter. From beginning to end, we have you covered. Keep this guide close during your job search and your interview process will be a breeze!
Preparing Before the Interview
No matter what the interview format, there are steps you will always need to take to make sure you’re ready to represent your best self to your potential employer. These steps include researching the company, knowing what to bring to the interview, and practicing your interview responses. Undercover Recruiter put together a wonderful article on preparing for your next interview.
6 Steps to Follow When Preparing for a Job Interview
The Phone Interview
A phone interview is usually done in the early stages of the interview process. Talking to the candidates on the phone allows the interviewer to gather basic information, assess a candidate skills, and get an overall impression of the applicant without having to bring them into the office for a face-to-face meeting. The best result of a phone interview for a job seeker would be acquiring an in-person meeting as a next step. Job-hunt.org has an excellent article about preparing for and acing your next phone interview.
9 Keys to Telephone Interview Success
The Video Interview
The video interview has become an increasingly popular method of conducting interviews in recent years. With video chat programs such as Skype so readily available, the interview landscape has changed. Employers can now interview candidates over video without the added pressure and constraint of bringing applicants into their physical office. This is especially useful in instances where the employee may be relocating if they get the job. The video interview is very similar to a physical interview in a sense that you will still be speaking with the interviewer face to face. There are a few technical aspects to this type of interview that can be tricky to navigate, about.com has put together a list of tips to successfully navigate the video interview.
Tips for Successful Video Interviewing
The Group Interview
Depending on the position and amount of applicants, the employer may decide to hold a group interview. This type of interview presents its own challenges, the toughest being how to make yourself stand out and get the job in a room full of equally qualified people fighting for the same position. You may or may not be notified before hand that you will be participating in a group interview but you should be prepared for any situation. Talent Egg has essential tips to conquer the group interview, large or small.
How to Ace a Group Interview, Big or Small
The Traditional Interview
Life Hack put together a step by step guide to nailing your next interview. Follow these 15 simple steps and you will be well on your way to interview success and a new job!
15 Steps to Stand Out in Every Interview
Questions You Should Ask
In most interviews you will be given a chance to ask any questions you may have about the job or the company you are interviewing for. It is always a good idea to have multiple questions in mind and you can even write them down so you won’t forget to ask them. Have multiple questions on hand to ask since some questions (especially regarding daily tasks and company culture) may be answered over the course of the interview and you don’t want it to seem as though you were not paying attention. Asking questions allow you to get a good idea of the company and their expectations for the position as well as shows the interviewer you have an interest in learning more about making the job your own. Lifehack.org put together a list of 8 questions you can ask if you are having trouble thinking of some. These questions span a wide scope of topics and can provide you with a greater understanding of the position and the company should you choose to ask them.
8 Important Questions You Should Ask in Every Job Interview
How to Answer Interview Questions
During the interview you will be asked a variety of questions by your interviewer. There are a collection of questions that are commonly asked in many job interviews. Undercover Recruiter put together a list of how to answer the 10 most common interview questions.
How to Answer the Top 10 Interview Questions
Follow Up
Following up after a job interview is very important. Not only should you thank your interviewer for taking the time to speak with you but you should also follow up on the status of the job and their decision. Here are 4 simple ways to follow up after your interview, courtesy of Forbes.
4 Non-Annoying Ways to Follow Up After an Interview
You Don’t Get the Job
What do you do if you go for the interview, you think everything went well, and you don’t hear from the company again? Don’t worry, one no is that much closer to your next yes! Careercast.com has a nice article to help remind us all of how to push through those rejections and use them to help us move forward.
Nine Tips to Deal with Job Rejection
If You’re Coming to Breakaway Staffing
As a final guide, if you have an interview with us at Breakaway Staffing (yay!) here are the 4 items you must bring with you.