Expert Tips: How to Get Ready for a Job Interview

If you’re struggling to find a new job, you’re not alone. Nearly 70% of job seekers say their current job hunt is more difficult than their last one¹, based on survey information from Aerotek, a staffing firm. As you search for your next role, it’s important that you have up-to-date advice for your job search. Here are 21 expert tips to make finding your next job easier.

Best tips for writing a professional resume

Many people think your first impression with a potential employer is during your interview. But your first impression is actually your resume. Your resume is your first shot to stand out in a sea of applicants. Without a stellar resume, you may not even get a chance to make a second impression. So, all good interview preparations start with a good resume.

Creating your resume

• Read the job description: Seriously, read the entire job description. Not only will the description help you see if the job’s a fit for you, but it will also help you tailor your resume and prepare you for a possible interview in the future.
• Explain your impact: In your resume, illustrate how you brought value to your previous roles. Did you help simplify a tedious process? Did you train any new employees?
• Quantify your experience: Employers want to see your impact explained in numbers. For example, how many customers did you serve during a shift? What quota did you make? How many parts did you assemble or generate? Add any impressive metrics to your resume.
• Show how you’re qualified: Your resume should be tailored to the job description, meaning you should explain how your previous experience lines up with what that employer wants. But, even if your experience doesn’t align 100% with the job needs, you should still apply if you feel you can do the job. Your soft skills (like being able to research or being a self-starter) can help the employer know that you can quickly and eagerly take on tasks. 
• Explain gaps: Explain any gaps in your employment history. If you had to take care of a sick family member or did volunteer work, don’t be afraid to share. Gaps don’t have to be a negative thing, see them as an asset that adds color to your unique story.
• Optimize for ATS: An ATS, or Applicant Tracking System, is a tool many employers use to sort resumes. Imagine it as a robot scanning resumes to pick out the best candidates. To help your resume get noticed by an ATS, make sure to use important words from the job description.

Formatting your resume

According to Harvard Business Review, recruiters spend an average of seven seconds scanning a resume². While what you write is important, how your resume looks makes a bigger impact. The more presentable your resume is, the more likely you’ll get a callback.

• Choose an attractive format: When it comes to showcasing your talents, a good format will go a long way into creating a professional resume. You can download resume guides and templates online. Whatever format you choose, make sure your resume has a consistent look.
• Make it scannable: List six to eight bullets detailing your most recent job. Describe the next job with three to four bullets. After that, use one to two bullets. Experience older than five years is not necessary, unless it specifically speaks to the role.
• Be professional: Check and double check your resume for grammar and spelling mistakes.  Make sure your resume is cohesive, and the words flow nicely. You can check out Grammarly for grammar and sentence structure help. 
• Get a second opinion: Have a trusted friend look over your resume. They may be able to spot mistakes you missed or give you tips on how to make your resume better.

How to prepare for an interview

If you made it to this step in your job hunt, congratulations! Getting a job interview is a big indication that the employer believes you may be a good fit for the job. But you don’t want to slack off now. Prepare for the big day with these interview tips.

• Research the company: Look into the organization’s mission, what they do, their recent projects, and even look up your interviewers. Show up to the interview with knowledge about the company.
• Connect on social media: If possible, follow the business on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
• Prepare good interview questions: Interviews are not interrogations; they’re two-way conversations between you and a business about working together. Remember, you’re also seeing if the company is a fit for you, so be ready to ask 2-3 questions in the interview.  Prepare at least one question related to the discussion and two that are job or industry oriented. This shows interest and investment in the role.
• Be confident: Come into the interview ready to show how you’ll bring value to the company. If you read the job description and researched the business thoroughly, you should be able to explain how you can both fulfill job duties and fit the company’s culture.
• Dress the part: Show up to the interview in appropriate clothing for the job.
• Be positive: As you interview for the job, avoid the temptation to bad mouth your previous employer. Not only is it in poor taste, but it could also make the interviewer think that you’ll speak badly about their company in the future. 
• Bring a notepad: Take notes during the interview so you remember what the conversation was about. These notes will also help you write a thank-you note to your interviewer.

Post interview tips

Remember those notes you took during the interview? Go over them to create a customized and highly relevant thank-you note to your interviewer (you don’t want to use a stock thank-you note you found on the internet).

Not only is it thoughtful to let the interviewer know that you appreciate their time and effort, but you can also reiterate your interest in the role. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  points out that the thank-you note is an important sign of appreciation that could be a benefit for the job seeker.³ Here are some tips on what to include in your letter:

• Say thank you: This simple gesture may keep you in the company’s pool of hopefuls.
• Be brief: Keep the note short and to the point.
• Double check: Again, make sure to proofread!
• Be timely: Send the note within two days after the interview.

Keep searching

Don’t put all your eggs in a basket with one job. You should keep applying even when you’re actively interviewing. The job hunt can be exhausting. But by being more informed about what employers look for in possible employees, you can make landing your next role easier. Remember to write a great resume, present yourself well in interviews, and always follow-up with the company. You’ll go a long way in finding your next job and building great connections along the way.