10 Interviewing Tips to Stand Out from the Crowd
It’s hard to believe, but it’s now back to school season. For many folks, that means it’s also back to job hunting season! This a great time to dust off your resume, re-engage with your networks, and start planning your next career move.
It’s also a great time to hone your interview skills – and practice, practice, practice. The good news is that interviewing is something under your control; it’s a skill you can learn. Here are my top ten tips for nailing the interview process:
Do your homework. Take some time to research both the organization and the person who is interviewing you. Of course read the job description and the organization’s website, but also do a little more digging. See if they’ve been in the news lately, produced any publications, or had recent success stories that you can reference in the interview. It shows you’re serious about the job, and on their end, it’s flattering to know that you put in the time to get to know them.
Be specific. Give concrete examples of your work that help paint a picture for your interviewer. Rather than just saying “I was on a team that did X,” follow that up with “...and my role, specifically, was Y.” Stats and other outcomes from your work that show your impact are always a plus.
A sincere thank-you note goes a long way. I’ve said this before, but send a follow-up note after every stage in the process. You’d be surprised how many candidates don’t do this! It helps you stand out from other job seekers, and also gives you another opportunity to talk more about why you’re a great fit for the job. You should also feel free to share thoughts you had following the interview that were sparked by your conversation.
Use LinkedIn to your full advantage. Make sure your LinkedIn profile looks good and reads like a resume. Employers and recruiters use LinkedIn all the time to search for candidates with the required skills and experience set.
Make sure you have a bunch of LinkedIn connections. Ideally, you should have 500+ connections. This shows employers that you have strong networks and truly know people in your field. Start by looking at your current connections and see if you know their connections, or if their connections work in a similar industry.
Only send materials that the application asks for. Employers will ask for exactly what they need from you throughout the process. Don't send extra stuff that they likely won’t look at anyway.
Practice your personal story. Most interviews include some version of the question, “So, tell me more about yourself.” Be prepared with a strong, authentic narrative so you’re not fumbling when this inevitable question comes up.
Be able to explain the job description in your own words. Imagine if a friend were to ask you, “So, what is this job that you’re applying for?” Could you clearly articulate the organization and the required skills and experiences? This will help you internalize the role and feel confident in your qualifications.
Have a good answer to how you think about inclusion. Many mission-driven organizations are having a long-overdue conversation about diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. They want to know that you take these issues seriously and have walked the talk in your personal and professional life.
Don’t ask too many questions. For sure, come prepared with a thoughtful question or two that shows you’ve thought about the job and the organization. But don’t feel the need to pepper your interviewer with questions. It could frustrate them, and also take time away from you being able to talk about your experiences and skill set.
Here are the top three jobs we’re featuring this week:
Director of Chapters at Active Minds; $80,000; flexible, Washington, D.C. preferred.
National Director of Constituent Management Systems at Common Cause; $110k-$120k; Washington, D.C. preferred.
Communications and Advocacy Manager at Clean Yield; $100k-$115k; Remote.
Now, onto housekeeping!
NRG Consulting is offering coaching programs to folks on the job hunt, whether you’re an entry- or senior-level candidate. Check out the programs we’re offering on our website, and get in touch with us.
If you find this newsletter helpful, forward it to your friends and help us build our network! Also, if you have feedback or an idea for a future newsletter topic, shoot me a note.
