Congrats, you landed an interview! Interviews can be a great time for you to learn more about the company, the company to learn more about you, and for you to learn more about the work you could be doing. It's also a chance for you to make a good impression on the interviewers. Some jobs have a lot of applicants, and standing out from the rest is something that can either make or break your chances of getting hired. There are plenty of temp agencies in Washington NC that can help you perfect your application, but at Roebuck Staffing, we want to help you nail the interview as well. Here are some tips for prepping for your big interview.
For the big interview, you want to make sure that you look your best. Pick out multiple professional outfits that could work, and ask around. Ask people which they like best, which outfit they would want to hire the most, and what matches/doesn't match. Set out your clothes, iron them, and pick out your accessories. Watchbands should match with the other metal/leather you are wearing (brown belt, brown shoes, brown watchband), and jewelry should match as best as possible.
If you decide to wear makeup to the interview, it should be mostly neutral. A pop of color here and there is okay, but try to bring the most attention to your resume and experience as much as possible.
Your hair should also look professional and well. Make sure it's combed, brushed, or done in some way. It shouldn't be messy and flyaways should be at a minimum.
Before you go into your interview, you should do research on your position, the organization, and the other people who work there (if you know). You should also research the service or product you will be working with. You won't need to be an expert in everything, but show them that you've done your research. They will see that you take initiative and are prepared.
Re-read the job description multiple times, and have questions prepared. You should have a chance at the end to ask questions. Don't be afraid to! It shows them that you are willing to accept the fact that you don't know everything and willing to learn. If you use one of the temp agencies in Washington NC, they should help you research and tell you more about the company you're going to interview with.
You can practice your speaking voice, making eye contact, and shaking hands before the interview (and you should), but you can also prepare for some of the questions they will ask. In most interviews, they ask a few similar questions. For example:
Sometimes, there will be oddball questions and you'll have to think of something to say, but preparing for the questions you know are coming can help relieve some of the pressure of the interview.
While they already have a copy of your resume, it's best to bring extras. They might bring in someone who hasn't seen it yet, want hard copies, or just want to make sure you're prepared. About five copies of your resume and cover letter should do the trick.
Prepare yourself, it's almost here! Before the interview, make sure you eat and drink plenty of water. Avoid bubbly drinks such as soda, alcohol, and don't smoke before you go in. Be cautious of what you eat as well; avoid dairy, raw fish, and anything else that could upset your gut. When you do eat, try to eat before you get dressed (in case you drop or spill something), brush your teeth or chew gum, but make sure to dispose of it before the interview.
Make sure you arrive at the interview location around 10 minutes early and ready.
You are the only person in the room who knows everything about your work experience. Even your resume is usually too short to cover everything. Be your own advocate! Tell them what you've done, how much time it took, and bring examples if applicable (photos, newspaper articles, websites, etc.). If you don't tell them, they might not ever know. It's important to sound humble, though. While you should advocate for yourself, do so when they ask. You can also include your other experience when they ask if you have anything else to add.
Don't forget the basics! Always make sure to:
and avoid:
A few hours after your interview, follow up with everyone involved in your interview via email. It reminds the interviewers of your conversation and that you are genuinely interested in the position. It can also give you one last opportunity to bring up things you may have forgotten to mention in the interview. In your letter, you should:
You can also attach any photos of your work, stories, or articles that you were mentioned in.
At Roebuck Staffing, we take care of our applicants. As one of the best temp agencies in Washington NC, we will make sure that you are ready for your big interview.