When a job calls you for an interview it is crucial that you are well prepared for what’s to come. There are things that you should know to prepare yourself before, during, and after the interview to better increase the chance of you landing the job. Here are some tips:

Do Your Research

Usually when applying for jobs, we send our resumes to a bunch of different companies that we really don’t know much about. If one of those companies offer’s you an interview, they expect you to know about their company and may ask you what you know about them. This is why it’s important to do your research because the hiring manager will appreciate that you took the time to get to know about their company and what they do, and this will give you an advantage over the people who did not do their research. Doing research also benefits you because you know beforehand of the company and if what they do, is right for you.

Practice Interviewing

Before going to an interview it’s very helpful to practice what you will say. A great idea would be to find or think of possible questions that will be asked at the interview and print them off to practice with a friend or family member. Even if you have no one to practice with, a good way to prepare yourself would be to read the questions off and answer them how you would in a real interview.

What You Should Bring With You To The Interview

When going to your interview, you should not come empty handed. You always want to print off a few copies of your resume and put them in a folder, a day before the interview to bring with you. The reason for this is that you don’t know how many people you will be interviewing with and if they haven’t seen a copy of your resume yet, it is more convenient for you to just hand everyone in the interview their own copy. It is better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them. Also if you have any business cards, you should bring some with you to give to the interviewer(s).

What To Wear/Grooming

Another thing to keep in mind is how you are going to dress, and making sure you are properly groomed before the interview. It’s crucial to practice good hygiene before going to an interview. You also want make sure not to put on too much cologne or perfume as this can irritate the interviewer. Also make sure to keep the amount of jewelry you wear to a minimum because it can be very distracting. Another thing to keep in mind is if you have any tattoos or piercings hide them. When dressing for an interview the proper attire is business casual. This means for men, A 3 piece suit, tie, and dress shoes. And for women, a nice blouse, a blazer, and either dress pants or a dress skirt. If you are wearing a skirt always make sure to wear nylons too. For men make sure to unbutton your jacket before sitting down for your interview because sitting down with a button up blazer makes you look very uncomfortable even if you are not.

Body Language

Body language is the first thing people pay attention to when they first meet you. Good posture and behavior are key things to keep in mind at all times during your interview. Make sure to go to your interview confident and try to ease your nerves as much as you possibly can. Always try not to look nervous or fidget in your chair during your interview. Sometimes after the interview, the interviewer will even ask the receptionist what they thought of you when they seen you in the lobby so make sure to always keep that in mind and to stay off of your cell phone when waiting for them.

What To Say And What Not To Say

The most important thing is to be yourself during the interview. Most hiring managers are smart enough to know whether or not you’re lying or acting because they interview lots of people every day. Also, never say that you’re bad at something or that you’re lacking in a specific skill. Be your best self. Show them that you are confident, passionate, and let them know all of the things that they will benefit from if they decide to hire you.

Questions To Ask The Interviewer

You will always want to have 2-3 questions prepared for the interviewer. Usually at the end of the interview they will ask if you have any questions for them. First and foremost ask for a business card, this has all the information that you will need to follow up with them after the interview. Another thing you want to ask is when they will be deciding to fill the position. This will give you enough time to determine when to follow up with them.

Post Interview

Even though the interview is finished there are some things you can do to better increase your chances of landing the job. The first thing you can do is send a thank you note. This can help an interviewer remember you and makes you stand out. It's important to make the extra effort to send a thank you letter. Also, if you don’t hear back from them after some time you should follow up to see if they filled the position.

At the Specs Howard School of Media Arts, we incororate a course designed to help our students prepare for job interviews in the world of media. To learn more about our programs, click the button below!