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Interviewing 101

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You landed the interview, now what?

It’s graduation time and many of you are hitting the streets (well, the Internet) to find your dream job.  Interviews don’t need to be as intimidating as you might think they are; it’s time to go back to the basics here.

Interviewing 101. Below are a few helpful tips to keep in mind after you secure that dream PR job interview.

Before the interview:

  • Hit up the company website and social media pages.  Google a little.  Do a LinkedIn search. Don’t be afraid to ask exactly with whom you’ll be meeting and find out about them.   A little research goes a long way and you’ll feel really confident going into the interview.
  • Read the job description for the position you’re applying for. Make mental notes on certain areas you can touch on and relay back to your experience.
  • Ask approximately how long the interview will take. If you’re trying to squeeze an interview in during your lunch break, think twice. If an interview is going really well, additional team members may be pulled in to meet you.  Some agencies will ask you to complete a writing test.  Give yourself plenty of time so you’re not rushing through the interview.

The day of:

  • Arrive early. It’s recommended to arrive 10-15 minutes before an interview (no earlier, and definitely not late). If you know parking may be an issue, ask where to park in advance or give yourself extra time to navigate the area.
  • Dress the part. As you know, you only have one chance to make a first impression. A good rule of thumb is to dress one step above for the position you’re applying for. Trust me, appearance can play a major role in how well the interview goes.

In the interview:

  • Ask questions. The interview should be a conversation. Try not to just sell yourself, but find out if the position/company you’re applying for is the right fit for you. Ask about the culture, what qualities are needed in an ideal candidate, what a “typical” day in this position would look like, expectations, etc.
  • Bring your resume. You may have emailed it, but it’s probably sitting in my inbox instead of printed out in front of me, which is certainly where it will benefit you the most during the interview.  For good measure, bring more than one copy in case others join the interview.
  • If you have a portfolio (writing samples, press hits, etc.) – bring it and practice presenting it in advance to your friends or family.  A little practice will help ensure a confident presentation.
  • Show your personality! We get it, you’re nervous. But, we need a glimpse into your personality. Your qualifications are listed in your resume and you can tell us all about your experience, but it’s just as important to us to figure out whether or not you’re the right fit for our company culture.
  • Take notes.  We love to see a pen and notepad in hand during an interview.  That tells us you’re taking this seriously and listening to what we say about the company and role.  This will help jog your memory for your follow up note and next interview.  And on that note…

After:

  • Send a thank you.  Don’t ruin a knockout interview with the fact that you didn’t thank the interviewer for their time. Shoot an email; send a hand-written note (never goes out of style) or something more creative if it’s really a role you’re dying to land.
  • Allow time to follow up. While the ‘thank you’ note should be immediate, the follow up may take a while as interviews often take weeks to complete and move to the next stage.  Patience is a virtue, they say.

If you make it to the interview stage, your resume is solid and you are a viable candidate for the role.  Make the most of the interview and you just may land the PR job of your dreams!

Think PINK! 

Heidi

 

The post Interviewing 101 appeared first on J Public Relations.


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