So you’ve sent out a ton of resumes and applied for more jobs that you can count.  If you’re lucky enough to land an interview, you want to be prepared for it.  Here are some helpful tips to remember for your interview.

Dressing for the Interview

No matter what the attire is for the job you’re applying for, dressing professionally and conservatively for the interview is the safest way to go.

For Men
For Women
Research

• Two-piece dark colored suit
  • Appropriate colors: black, blue, gray
  • Solid or very light conservative stripes
  • Suit jackets are offered in single- or double-breasted
• Crisp white or blue tailored shirt
• Conservative tie that reaches mid belt
• Dark blue, black, gray or brown socks
  • Match your suit – never wear white socks
  • Polished shoes that match the color of your belt

• Two-piece dark colored pants or knee-length skirt suit
  • Wear neutral colored panty hose or dark tights if wearing a skirt
• Crisp white or blue blouse, tailored shirt, or shell with conservative neckline
• Polished closed-toe shoes with a low to moderate heel
  • Try to avoid shoes with very high heels

Make sure you’ve reviewed the job description along with researching the organization, product lines, and competitors.  Review the company website, LinkedIn, and industry publications.  Keep up to date with new products or services as well as current events and news on the company’s blog.  For example, HubSpot’s blog provides marketing information that many of their customers would find valuable and utilize within their industry.

Practice

Practice with your friends, using common interview questions..  Think of examples and scenarios from previous jobs or internships that can illustrate your experience, skills, and strengths to the person interviewing you.

Ask Questions

You will be asked a lot of questions about your resume, experience, and goals during the interview.  You will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

The interview is an opportunity for you and the employer to find out more about each other, and if this will be a good fit.  Here are some examples of questions you should ask and some you should not ask:

Ask
Don’t Ask
Follow Up

• Can you describe an average workday here?
• What kind of opportunities do you have for growth?
• What are the most important characteristics or qualities that you are looking for in the person who fills this position?
• How would you describe the company culture?

• What’s the salary for this position?
• What does your company do?
• How quickly can I be promoted?
• Who did you vote for?

Always, always, always follow up on the interview and send a thank you note.  This is one of the most crucial elements to an interview and sometimes the most forgotten.  Hiring managers interview many applicants and you want to thank them for their time and the opportunity to interview.

The best way to send a thank you note is via email and within 24 hours of the interview while you’re still fresh in the interviewer’s mind.  Something brief that thanks them for their time, recapping a particular subject or topic during the interview, and reconfirming next steps or the interview timeline if it was discussed.

 

Questions?  Comments?  Do you have any tips for job interviews?