Landing the interview requires preparation!

Landing the interview requires preparation!

Before I begin, you might wonder why I am giving you tips on how to land the interview and not the job. Well, many of us will receive many rejections before we land the desired job. So the initial goal must be to land the interview(s) and to show up professionally to each one. Here are some tips to help you in your preparation.

1. Understand the role of interest, and while reviewing the job description

a- Compare your experience to the job requirements (write your responses to each)

b- Read out loud your responses to each qualification

· This will help you get clear on your responses

· Practice your pitch

· Prepare experiences that will showcase your understanding and skillset

c- After reviewing the role and identifying if this role is a match, copy or print the JD as you will need it to prepare for the interview.

2. Before you apply, compare your resume to the job description.

a. Keywords: Are there keywords on the job description that are not mentioned in your resume? If yes, review the keywords and find how to incorporate them into your resume. For example, a keyword might be “shark”, if you’re applying to a fishing role and the resume is referencing sharks, not having that keyword on your resume might exclude your resume from the list of qualified candidates.

b. ATS: Not having the right keywords listed in your resume does not mean you are not qualified. However, an applicant tracking system (ATS) will look to match the keyword “shark” and if not found on your resume, it might remove your application from consideration. Therefore, it is imperative to make sure to capture those keywords and incorporate them into your resume before submitting.

3. Once your resume is a match, complete and submit your application.

4. Be Organized: Keep a folder for each role you’ve applied to.

a- Do your homework, research each company, take notes, and be prepared to show you took the time to learn about each company and brand

b- Do an inventory of all the responsibilities you’ve held in the past, skills you’ve acquired, and challenges you overcome that are relevant to the role of interest c- Lastly, having the job description readily available will help you when you are

contacted by the Recruiter. Rather than asking to be reminded about the role, you will come across as prepared and will be ready to have a conversation regarding the role, company, and brand.

5. Interview: So, you landed the interview, this is not the time to relax.

a- Prepare for the interview

b- First impressions matter and every person you meet from the receptionist to the

final interviewer is part of the interview.

6. Thank You Notes: Send: Its good practice to send thank you notes to all the interviewers. If their contact information is not available, send the thank you notes to the Recruiter and ask them to forward your note to the interview panel.

7. Be Gracious: In the event, you are not selected for the role, be gracious! How we choose to respond to undesired outcomes can open or close the door to future opportunities. Not every role we apply to is the right fit for us, so don’t be discouraged. In our search for the right role, we will not be selected for some roles, and we might reject others.

Finding a job is a job, therefore prepare yourself to Master the Interview!

Eileen Gonzalez, CPCC

#interviewready #mastertheinterview #prepareforinterview #jobseaker #careercoach