And the timing couldn\u2019t be more right\u2014as many employers are gearing up for their end-of-year rush and looking to expand their ranks with some new talent. If you hope to count yourself among one of those new additions, you\u2019re likely dusting off and polishing up your resume\u2014but just as important as your background experience is the here and now: the all-important job interview!<\/p>\n
We\u2019re all likely familiar with the age-old interview tips: firm handshake, good eye contact, pre-plan a few questions. And while those are all certainly important, today\u2019s job candidates should also prep with the current context in mind: The events of the last few years have turned traditional hiring on its head\u2014recruiters are accustomed to conducting interviews via Zoom, employers are looking to move quick to compete for talent, candidates have a lot more choice than in the past. And all of that means it\u2019s time to step up your interview game!<\/p>\n
Here are a few bits of inspiration to get you started:<\/p>\n
Traditionally, job candidates went into interviews with the person on the other side of the table holding most of the power: The applicant was there to impress, and that was that! Things are a lot different today. The job market has swung in favor of candidates in recent years, which should give applicants a bit more confidence\u2014and a sense of empowerment. When thinking of questions, you want to ask the interviewer, do so with the knowledge that you\u2019re interviewing them as much as they\u2019re interviewing you. You want to find out if they\u2019re the right fit for you\u2014so find out if they offer the benefits you need, the schedule you want, the culture you\u2019re looking for. Reframing that power dynamic in your mind can alleviate a lot of the stress and anxiety common before job interviews.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n If the pandemic taught both employers and employees one thing, it\u2019s the value of empathy: Kids and animals joined workers on virtual calls, schedules became more flexible, and people began talking more openly about mental health challenges. That underlying theme also applies to interviewing\u2014be open and be yourself! Professionalism is still important, but talking about how you can translate lessons learned from your personal life to your professional world, for example, is now considered the norm. Show off your experiences, your personality, and your strengths to impress\u2014and being yourself can put you, and the interviewer, much more at ease.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes, today\u2019s job interviewing process is likely a bit lower-pressure, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can forget the basics. If you\u2019re interviewing in person, bring along copies of your resume and any supporting materials to help make yourself stand out. Stay engaged throughout the conversation and don\u2019t let it end when you walk out the door\u2014follow up with the interviewer with a phone call, email or even a handwritten note to reinforce your interest and leave a lasting impression.<\/p>\n Keep these tips in mind and head into your next interview confident, prepared and ready to score that role. Good luck!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Now that summer is in the rearview mirror, many job seekers are getting ready to buckle down and focus on finding their next opportunity. And the timing couldn\u2019t be more right\u2014as many employers are gearing up for their end-of-year rush and looking to expand their ranks with some new talent. If you hope to count…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":15760,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,19],"tags":[66,33,23,22],"class_list":["post-11547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-work-life","tag-candidate-experience","tag-career-advice","tag-personal-development","tag-professional-development"],"yoast_head":"\nBe Real<\/h2>\n
Don\u2019t Forget The Etiquette<\/h2>\n