You’ve done it. You managed to finish preschool, grade school, high school, and college. You now have a bachelor’s degree and are ready to face the world. However, you’re suddenly met with a host of new problems that were never taught in school. How do you land a job? How do you find the best company for you? Have you ever encountered examples of resume? Where do you apply, and how do you network? How do you build up your reputation and socials, and who do you ask for recommendation letters? This might seem overwhelming (and it is!), but there are ways to handle the problem. Let’s take you on a step-by-step process from looking for a job down to acing your job interview.
Before the interview…
Always do your due diligence. From the very beginning, you should research the company that you’re applying for. A job is not a one-way relationship; not only is it fitting that the company knows about you. You should also know about the company. Things like company policies, core values, and the overall work environment are things you could research and see if they align with your principles as well. Given that your resume was already accepted and now you’re going for an interview, another thing you could always prepare for is rereading and understanding the job description you’re applying for. This might seem tedious and redundant, but that’s how you ensure that you’ve covered your tracks.
Prepare yourself for the interview. Keep in mind that the recruiters and company owners would be asking about you, your background, and many others. You should therefore be prepared for such questions. For example, try to research the typical interview questions that pop up in a job interview.
Get your backstory straight and consistent because this might cause trouble if you spew off a narrative that is not reliable. For example, keeping your track record and dates right is a good way of achieving consistency. Should your job interview be a remote interview, whether via call or a video conferencing app, you should be prepared? Check your equipment: your computer, microphone, speakers, and internet connection. Prepare for sudden power outages or internet problems and form a backup plan should they happen. Lastly, make sure that your environment is quiet and free from distractions such as loud noises or people.
During the interview…
Firstly, being on time is always the golden rule. Showing up earlier is also preferred, as this gives off a sense of control over your schedule and diligence to the agreed time of the interview. Dress well, keep calm, and prepare the necessary documents that the recruiters might be asking from you during the interview (resume and cover letter). Of course, depending on the job you’ve applied for, job interviews could have their own structures and nuances. Therefore, the following advice is general and could be applied to any type of job interview.
Be honest. Keeping up with the consistency and backstory advice, being honest is the best way for you to be consistent. As long as you tell the truth, then you won’t have to fabricate lies that are needed to be remembered should the interviewers ask a relevant question again. Give a sense of passion and interest to the interviewers. Show that you want the job and that you’re prepared to devote time and energy to the tasks at hand. Being earnest is also a good trait to have. Of course, it is a given that you should behave with good manners and the right conduct, such as smiling and being polite to the interviewers.
Nonverbal gestures and behaviors that exude honesty and kindness go a long way. You should also be prepared to show off your skills or expertise in the craft, whatever that may be. In the event that you have no experience with the task, show earnestness and willingness to work and find solutions. Having the ability to be open to new skills is a very good trait to show in an interview. Finish the interview by thanking everybody for the opportunity. Build your habit with good manners so that you wouldn’t have to keep thinking about them in order to act them out.
