Hi! I’m Joy M. Hutton, Grow with Google Digital Coach.
Today we’re going to talk about why preparing for a job interview is so critical,
how to research for a job interview,
and how to prepare answers as well as questions for your interviewers.
Ok, so you applied for your dream role, your resume stood out amongst the dozens or maybe even hundreds of applicants,
and you’ve been called for an interview.
Yes!
Now the preparation work starts… and I’m excited to help guide you through it.
Start by doing some research about your prospective employer.
Research will show a prospective employer that you’re truly interested in the company,
and in performing well in the role.
It will let you have a deeper conversation with the person or people interviewing you,
so you can learn more about each other and determine if the job would be a great fit.
It will also help you make an informed and compelling case for how you can contribute to the company,
and why they should hire you.
A quick Google search should lead you to the company’s website, social media and professional networking accounts,
and any relevant news stories – all great places to start your research.
Take notes on what you learn so you can refer to them before your interview.
Begin by visiting the company’s official website.
Read over as much of the site as possible, focusing especially on the company’s mission and values.
What is it seeking to accomplish in the world, and how can you contribute to that mission?
Learn about the department where you’re hoping to work, and check for recent news or announcements.
This is also where you might find the hiring manager.
Or you might find them on social media or through professional networking sites.
This research will help feel more confident speaking about the company, team and role.
Next, you’ll want to check out the company’s social media accounts and look for it on professional networking sites, such as LinkedIn.
On social media, you can learn a lot from how the company manages their public image online.
Also, on review websites such as GlassDoor.com,
you can find anonymous employee reviews that offer an inside perspective on what it’s like to work there.
Finally, see whether anyone in your social network can introduce you to someone who works at the company or in a related field.
If possible, reach out to this person to request an “informational interview,”
in which you will ask them questions about their experience working for the company.
While an informational interview doesn’t guarantee you’ll be considered for the job,
it will help you figure out if you and the company are a good fit,
and you’ll be more informed as you prepare answers and questions for the interview.
During an interview, you’ll be asked questions to determine if your skills and experience make you right for the role.
For some clues as to what those questions might be, look closely over the job description.
Does it require you to manage people? Does it mention a “self-starter?” Does it say experience in sales is preferred?
Once you have a list of the qualities you think the company and hiring manager are looking for,
go carefully through your resume to remind yourself of times you demonstrated these skills or qualities in your career.
Be prepared to discuss situations where you demonstrated those skills,
the tasks you were responsible for, the actions you took,
and the results that you achieved.
If you don’t have a lot of work experience yet, it's OK.
You can talk about your academic or training experience, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities,
as long as they relate closely to the job description.
Be prepared to use specific, quantifiable examples when talking about your skills and accomplishments.
For example, instead of saying “I’m great at sales” or “In the end we increased sales,” say, “I increased sales 25% in the previous year”.
Make sure you’re thinking about and preparing these proof points in advance so you can easily draw from them during the interview.
Now, your interviewers aren’t the only ones asking questions.
Asking your own questions shows you’re invested in the company and the role.
Plus, the questions you ask can say a lot about how you think.
You should be ready with at least two or three questions to ask.
Some common questions include:
What does growth look like within this company?
What qualities does your ideal candidate have?
What does success look like within the first 3 months on the job?
While these questions are a great place to start,
make sure you think back to your research and see how you can make your questions specific to the employer.
This again demonstrates that you’ve put in effort to learn about the company.
Let's take a moment to review the key takeaways from today's video.
By preparing for an interview, you’ll have the best chance for success and keep from being distracted or stressed.
Doing research shows a prospective employer that you’re truly interested in the company, and in performing well in the role.
Begin by visiting a company’s official website and focusing on their mission and values,
and check out any relevant news stories or announcements.
Look up a company’s social media for insights on how they manage their public image.
An informational interview can help you be more informed as you prepare for an interview.
Prepare answers for questions during the interview that will help show why your skills and experience make you right for the role.
And then prepare your own questions to show you’re invested in the company and the role.
Alright, that’s it! Thanks so much for tuning in!
To continue growing your skills and career, be sure to tune in to our other videos and subscribe to our channel!
You can also access free resources, virtual workshops, Google Career Certificates, and more at our Grow with Google website.
See you next time!