A successful interview is one where the conversation flows smoothly and both the interviewer and interviewee are engaged, honest, and prepared. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your first-round interview. 

Due Diligence 

Some people apply for a job without ever looking at the company website. Hard to believe, right? If your resume is selected from a pool of applicants—with or without time spent getting to know company—it is in your best interest to take the time prior to your interview. Spend an hour or two looking at the website and social media. Learn about the company history, purpose, and values. In short, have a solid idea of who, what, where, and why when it comes to the company or organization you are interviewing with. 

Take Away: Research the company or organization. Take notes about your key findings. Create a list of related questions like, “How do departments typically collaborate?” or “How has the organization transformed over the last decade?” 

Outline Your Experiences 

If you wrote your resume for the job posting, you likely developed a second document with a list of your experiences and skills in relation to it. Our blog, Write Your Best Resume, breaks down this tip. 

Know that during the interview you will be asked to share specific examples and scenarios of your work experience and skills. It can be difficult to come up with answers on the fly, and really, you shouldn’t have to do that. Think through the job description in relation to your experience—and make note of how you handled that type of work in the past. If there are aspects of the job that would be new to you, be open and upfront about your lack of experience while showcasing your excitement, willingness, and ability to learn. 

Take Away: Write your resume for the job posting and create a resume support document for easy reference during your first-round interview. 

Be Authentic

An interview is nerve wracking, but it is always best practice to be yourself, rather than trying to present a false façade. Honesty and integrity win over obsessive boasting and elaboration every time. Know that your first impression matters, as well as your closing statement of thanks. Throughout the interview it is important to keep your responses concise and focused—and to respond truthfully to all questions. 

Take Away: Say this with us, “I am prepared, willing, capable, skilled, confident, and excited for this interview.” Now go get ‘em! 

In the end, when you are well prepared, able to share relevant work examples, and you treat the interview with respect—the interviewer(s) and yourself—the first-round interview will be a success. Whether or not a second-round interview comes your way will depend on your first-round interview responses and how the interviewee felt you met the overall fit for the position and organizational culture. 

Remember, if anytime during the interview process you feel less than excited about what you are learning or how the interview is going, listen to your gut. If the interview doesn’t feel quite right, then the job or company may not be for you. It is certainly acceptable to thank the interviewer for their time and explain that with a better understanding of the job and organization, it does not feel like the right fit for you. 

Lastly, the interview process should always end with a note of thanks from the interviewee to the interviewer. Use the note—an email or a mailed letter—to remind the interviewer about your conversation. Consider asking a follow up question or highlighting a key moment from the interview. 

Get the skinny on preparing for or writing interview questions, virtual versus in-person interview tips, and more on our Referral Staffing Solutions blog.