Tips after 1000+ interviews

Interview tips
Written By Jaclyn Jones

I started NRG in 2018 and since then I’ve completed thousands of interviews. I know it can be hard to figure out how to prepare for interviews. In this edition of Get Hired, I offer a few tips from all of my interviews that I hope will help you prep for your next conversation.

 

My tips after completing 1000+ interviews

1) Pay attention to the job description.


Many organizations spend a lot of time thinking about the job description and the role this new team member will play. When you use the language they use, people will notice.

If an organization refers to itself as an organization, don’t use the word company. If the org talks about institutional giving, make sure you are using that language too.  

When someone has read the JD line by line and read the organization’s website, I know. The reason I know is that their questions are unique and they are able to talk about their experiences in a way that relates directly to the organization. They have absorbed information about the organization and then filtered it through their experience. This helps me to see them in the role.

 
 

2) Research the organization.


When you get to the end of an interview, there is always the question: what questions do you have for me?

You don’t have to be an expert but do spend some time getting to know the organization from their website and social media. Try not to ask questions that are clearly on the organization’s website. 

Also, it can be tempting to follow the first advice you find on one of the many online resources offering interview help. However, listen to the interviewer. If they describe why this role and why now at the beginning of the call, don’t ask that question at the end. Make sure you are asking questions that are relevant and essential for you to know. 

 
 
 

3) Send a thank you note via email. 


I had a client once who had two finalists for a role. Both finalists were qualified and passionate. Both had great interviews. One sent a thoughtful thank you note and one didn't send a thank you note at all. I think you know where this is going.

I know it might seem old fashioned to some, but it never hurts to remind someone of what you can bring to the role and emphasize your passion for the impact the org is making. Think of it as an opportunity to make another connection with a potential future colleague. 

 
 
 

4) Watch the time. 


A lot of roles are looking for clear and concise communicators. If you go over the allotted time for the interview, then it can cause a ripple effect in someone’s schedule. That extra time isn’t always helpful to the case you are making–that you are the right person for this role. Don’t stress about it if you go a little over but when you are preparing your answers for an interview, be as detailed, specific, and concise as possible. 

 
 
 
 

This is not a complete list. Recruiters who work with me have their own observations so in the future I’ll ask a few of them to offer their reflections as well. Stay tuned to future issues for more on this topic.

P.S.: In the last Get Hired, I talked about creating a free tool to help with your networking. We are still taking feedback and plan to launch that tool this fall. We’ll use your comments to create a free tool to help you with networking. 

 

On to the jobs! Check out all of NRG’s searches. Thirteen of those positions are remote. 

Opportunities NRG is hiring for in education:

 Follow NRG on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on all of the roles we are hiring for.

If you aren’t currently a member of the NRG Talent Network, consider joining. The questions take 3 minutes to complete and then we’ll send you job announcements when your criteria (salary, location, etc.) matches the position.

Let’s move,
Naomi


P.S.  If you’d like a thought partner to think through the best interviewing strategy for your search, sign up right now for 15 minutes with Kristin to learn how NRG’s coaching programs can help you. 

If you find this newsletter helpful, forward it to your friends and help us build our network! If you received this from a friend, sign up here to receive future “Get Hired'' newsletters. 

Jaclyn Jones
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