$ecuring the Bag: Interview Strategies to Get the Job
Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I have never went to a job interview that I did not flat out KILL, always resulting in a job offer. Over the years, I have developed a sort of system that I believe is effective in securing the bag, and I’m giving all my go-to strategies to impressing your recruiter and ensuring that you get the job.
1. Do your homework
Prior to an interview, I always make sure I research the facility. Employers love to ask questions regarding what you already know about their establishment, so this is an area to score some major points. Mission statements and the company’s vision are great things to get familiar with and when presented the opportunity, correlate the mission and vision of the company to your own. It’s also a good reference for yourself to see if your personal goals aligns with that of the company, overall allowing you to see if you can picture yourself at this job.
2. Your resume is VITAL!
Resumes introduce you, before you ever meet the employer. It can be the difference between you getting the interview and them passing on you for someone else, so making sure that yours stands out is important.
I always try to keep my resume content relevant. For example, if I am applying for a nursing job, I will not put down my McDonald’s cashier experience from 10 years ago. I will, however, put down all of the jobs I have held related to healthcare. The only exception for this is if you have a relatively short work history. If this is the case, include all jobs you’ve held and volunteer experience if you’ve never been employed.
Make sure your resume is neat and organized. It should just naturally flow. Make sure that the structure of it is clear and makes it easy to read and identify your content areas. Do not use big fancy words just to sound eloquent. Be direct and straight to the point. You only have about 15 minutes to really impress the recruiter. Your objective should be 1-2 sentences MAX and be sure to clearly state what you are looking for as well as what you can do for the company.
And because I’m extra, I only print my resume on a thin card stock with a gloss. You’d be surprised how many employers take notice to this. I get compliments at every single interview, I’m telling you, it works!
3. Dress the part
First impressions are everything. You want to dress in a way that allows the employer to envision you at their establishment. Ladies, no cleavage, revealing/tight clothing or super-high heels. Fellas, if you don’t own a tie, get one. Research shows that hiring managers and HR representatives recommend blue to wear to interviews and often associate this color to being a team player, trustworthy, and credible. You can never go wrong with black, grey, or white. Makeup should be minimal and natural. No red lips or facial jewelry such as nose and lip rings. Go for a nice studded earring as opposed to hoops and I always pull my hair back to really show my face. It makes you seem more open.
4. Be mindful of your body language
This one took me a while to master. I use to get so stiff in job interviews, would literally sit on my hands, until I did a mock interview on campus my sophomore year and a recruiter pointed it out to me. It’s okay to move, to talk with your hands, to not be so serious! Remember that the most common form of communication is nonverbal. Make good eye contact, keep good posture, and watch that resting B- face. Smile, sis!
5. Ask questions
At the end of every job interview I’ve ever been to, the employer always asks “do you have any questions for me?” and I would always respond with a no. DO NOT DO THIS! It is important for you to come off as engaged and interested in knowing more about the facility. I always ask a few questions, even if I already know the answers. It allows the employer to see that you aren’t afraid to ask and that’s a good quality to have for any job.
6. Follow-up
Last but not least, follow up after your interview. I usually give it a day before I send an email to my recruiter, thanking them for inviting me for the interview, describing my excitement for the opportunity, and ensuring that I look forward to hearing from them soon. It shows initiative.
Follow these tips and I guarantee you that call back and job offer. We’re elevating all 2019 and beyond. New jobs, multiple streams of income, increased credit scores, and careers we can retire from. Let’s go!