You got an interview! Pat yourself on the back. This means your resume was strong enough and stood out enough to a recruiter to have them set up an interview with you. Now comes the hard part though… the interview. Your one shot to make a lasting impression and convince the team YOU are the right candidate for the role. Often times, this is where candidates drop the ball.
This is probably the most important thing you need to do before a job interview. Often, the first question the hiring manager may ask you is, “So, tell me what you know about the job.” Be sure you know the job you’re interviewing for and how you fit what they’re looking for. Look at the company’s website, social media accounts and understand their core values, key players, competitors and where this job lies within the organization. In the broadcast/ news business in particular it’s important to check social media sites the day of your interview as in this industry things are constantly changing.
Even if you left your previous employer for some horrific reason, they don’t need to know. The media/ AV world is a lot smaller then you may think, you never know who knows who. Also, you would not want to give the impression you would bad mouth their company as well. Think about your approach and the story you want to tell about yourself before the interview. Crafting this before hand will help you navigate through tough questions on the spot.
Your non-verbal communication could make or break an interview before you even start talking. I have seen this totally make or break an interview. Make sure you shake hands, make eye contact, be confident and engage the person you are interviewing with. By doing this, the hiring manager will already know you’re a strong candidate for this position - before you even answer any questions.
By not asking questions, or asking questions you should already know the answers to you come across as not interested. I encourage candidates to ask about the working environment, the type of equipment they’ll have, culture, etc. I would come prepared with at least 3-5 questions.
Unsure if you made a good impression? Do you feel like you knocked the interview out of the park? Regardless, ALWAYS follow up. Even if it’s just a short “thank you for your time” and also reaffirming your interest in the position and the company. Take your time writing this and make it specific to the person you were interviewing with. Whatever you do, before you hit “send” proof that baby. The LAST thing you want to do is send a follow up email with a typo in it.
Getting the interview is a great accomplishment and opportunity. I always say, the more you interview, the better you will get at it. I hope after reading this article you will have a “what not to-do list” to help you navigate through your next opportunity! Thanks for reading! Follow the team on Twitter for more interview tips!