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6 Interview Tips and Tricks at A Hundred Answers

By Karen Mousseau

As a seasoned recruiter, I am often asked to provide tips for a successful job interview at A Hundred Answers. Below are some key tips that will help you to maximize your potential employment opportunities, and get the job you deserve.

1. Speak clearly and enthusiastically about your experiences and your skills. Be yourself, and don't be afraid to let your personality shine through. Be professional, it's okay to take short pauses to formulate your response or say 'let me think about that for a minute' before you respond. Be positive, focus on the facts and emphasize what you learned from previous experiences as well as any noted contributions or successes.
2. Be prepared. I can't stress enough how important this is. Taking the time to research the company before the interview is a must. You are your brand, so be prepared to market your skills and experiences as they relate to the job you are interviewing for. Work at describing your qualifications appropriately. Know how you can contribute to the company and be prepared to ask the interviewer questions about the company.
3. Dress appropriately for the job interview. Ensure you're wearing clothes that are clean and fit you well and be well groomed. Ask the recruiter what the dress code is in the office. When researching the company, look at their social media pages as that can be quite telling of their everyday dress. Never go to an interview in jeans, even if the dress code in the office is casual - ensure your first impression is a great one.
4. Arrive early for the interview. Plan to arrive for your interview 10 minutes before the appointed time. Arriving late creates a bad first impression. If you have arrived too early, avoid the awkward situation by stopping for a coffee, or waiting in the main lobby. It is best practice to ask for directions when making arrangements for the interview, and inquire about the best place to park.
5. Bring extra resumes. Interviewers should already be familiar with your resume and should have a copy of it with them. However, if a last minute change in interviewers has occurred, then you will look well prepared. Also, have your list of questions you would like answered. You may refer to your list of questions to be sure you've gathered the information you need to make an informed decision. Bring a notebook and take notes during the interview. You can reflect on what you may want to ask at the next interview when you review your notes later on.
6. Turn off your phone or place it on silent to ensure there are no interruptions or distractions!

My final thoughts are: always smile, make eye contact, and giving a firm handshake will always make a good impression with your interviewer. Lastly, don't forget to thank them for taking the time to meet with you.

 

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Karen Mousseau is a seasoned Technical Corporate Recruiter and Sourcing Specialist with A Hundred Answers. She's mentored and managed recruitment strategies and worked with many organizations in helping attract and retain Top Talent in their varied business units. Karen writes about advice that she gives job seekers on a daily basis, as well as tips and tricks that will help you to be successful in reaching your career goals. She'll share tips on interviewing, career search techniques, and how to navigate your career using the online social networks used by the Talent Acquisition teams of today.