Are your interview skills up to the task?
Introduce Yourself with an Elevator Pitch
In the world of interviewing, your “elevator pitch” is a quick way to describe who you are and why you’re right for the job. Think of it as a more concise version of your cover letter.
You should have one of these speeches handy for networking events and interviews. Or even when you run into someone who is in a position to hire you in a bid to leave them knowing more about you. An elevator pitch isn’t just for business professionals—it can also be helpful for any person as a quick and concise summary of who they are.
Prepare to Speak on Your Skills and Experience
Practice makes perfect, right? This mantra doesn’t just apply to sports, it applies to interviews, too! If you’ve never had an interview before, your first one probably isn’t going to go very well if you don’t prepare in advance. To avoid that, practice interviewing with professional groups, friends, and family members.
Do all of your research on the company ahead of time. Have some idea of not only the position itself, but also the company’s culture and mission statement. Be sure to brush up on projects the company has done recently to sprinkle into the conversation.
Ask Relevant Questions After the Interview
After an interview ends, you’re almost always asked if you have any questions. And your answer should always be yes. Asking questions shows you’re interested in the company. You can ask for more information about the job, something specific about the company culture, a question aimed at your interviewer, or something about the recent history of the company. Remember to always ask about next steps! That way you won’t have to worry about whether or not they’ll email you back.