If you don’t do this, you’re not getting the job
You have an upcoming interview that you have been preparing for. You researched the company, reviewed common interview questions, prepared…
You have an upcoming interview that you have been preparing for. You researched the company, reviewed common interview questions, prepared questions to ask your interviewer, and now all you have to do is the interview! You’re all set, right? Well, kind of.
The most important part of any interview is to be well-liked by the company you are applying for. No matter how much you prep, if the company you are applying for doesn’t like you, you’re not getting hired! This may sound simple, but it’s super important. You can make sure you are well-liked by the company you are applying for in two ways:
Building good relationships with the people who are interviewing you. — This goes without saying. You need to leave a good impression on your interviewers. They need to like you. Your answers mean nothing if you are not well-liked by your interviewer. No one wants to work with someone they don’t like. Your number one goal is to build a good relationship with your interviewer. Check out 12 Tips for Connecting With your Interviewer.
Being nice to anyone else you interact with within the company. — This could be a receptionist, a janitor, anyone! You are interviewing from the moment you walk into the office, to the moment you leave. Don’t be fooled. Your interview is much more than the 30 minutes you spend alone being questioned by one person within the company. When you go to an office for an interview, you are being judged from the moment you walk in. Did you say hi to the receptionist? Did you smile? Did you hold the door for the person leaving the office? It’s the small things. Be nice, and it will pay dividends.
Here’s a list of things you can do on interview day and post-interview to make sure you are well-liked by the company you are applying for.
Interview day
Get there early — Make sure you arrive at where you are interviewing early. Shoot for 30 minutes. If you’re not early, you’re late! Getting there early shows you are prepared. It shows you are enthusiastic about the position. And it shows you pay attention to details. Even if you have a phone interview, be ready 30 minutes in advance.
Be polite to the receptionist — This is super important. Your interview begins at the moment you step into the office. Every interaction you have from the second you step into the office to the moment you leave is very important. Introduce yourself to the receptionist. Make sure to smile. Ask them how their day is going. Maybe make a joke if you’re funny. The bottom line is to make sure you are likable. Don’t be the person who comes in and says absolutely nothing and just sits there in the waiting room until they are called for the interview.
Shake the interviewer’s hand — Introduce yourself and shake the interviewer’s hand. Make sure you have a good handshake. None of that dead fish shit.
Make eye contact — Make sure to make eye contact throughout your interview. Don’t be creepy about it!
Post-interview
Thank the interviewer for there time — After the interview, thank the interviewer for their time
Get the interviewer’s contact information — Make sure you get the interviewer’s contact information. Email or phone number. You need this for your follow-up
Say good-bye to the receptionist or other people you met while on-site for your interview — Remember. Your interview ends the moment you walk out of the office, not when you walk out of the interview room. Be polite.
Follow-up/thank you email — After you get home, write your follow-up email. It’s best to do this right after your interview so everything is fresh in your head. If you wait, it gives you a chance to forget about the details. Write your follow-up and schedule-send it for the following morning. Check out The Best Follow Up Email for how to write the BEST follow-up.
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