NAILING AN INTERVIEW IN 3 SIMPLE STEPS

With Kingsgate officially opening our Dayton office last week and announcing our new space at the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub, we’re hiring even more than ever. Thinking of all the interviewing we’ve done in the past couple years and the many interviews we will do as we continue to grow, I wanted to share three simple but key steps to nailing an interview with Kingsgate or any company, for that matter.

PREPARE

This element of an interview cannot be stressed enough, and I personally think is the most important step to nailing an interview! Take time to prepare before any interview. Whether a phone interview for your first internship or an in-person interview for your dream job, you should always take at least five to ten minutes to prep yourself. To prepare you should:

• Print out your resume and the job description. Then familiarize yourself with it.
  • You should know your qualifications and how they apply to the specific job you applied for.
• Research the company you’re interviewing with and take notes on things that interest you or you have questions about.
  • Throughout the conversation, you can refer to specific things about the company and show to the interviewer you took the time to prepare and have a genuine interest in the organization.
• Write a list of questions to ask about the position and the company.
  • Typically, interviews will end with the interviewer asking you if you have any questions for them. TIP: you should always have questions for them. There are numerous things to inquire about, from company culture, to functions of the job, and more – all of these questions showcase your interest in the position. Click here for question ideas.

PRACTICE

Once you’ve done your due diligence and preparation for the interview, it’s time to practice your interview skills. While you may not be able to anticipate the questions the interviewer will have for you, you can practice with general interview questions. Google a list of possible interview questions. Then practice answering them with a friend, family member or even out loud in front of a mirror. Also, make sure you can provide specific examples for each question.

BE YOURSELF

Now, this last step while extremely cliché is certainly crucial to nailing an interview. Not every job will be the perfect fit for you, nor will every company and it’s important to be authentic. When you allow yourself to be honest, you will feel more comfortable and your preparation and practice will really shine. If you’re not yourself, the interviewer may be able to tell you’re being disingenuous. The company, the job and the candidate should all be a match in order for the position to be filled.

Each interview brings a different set of challenges, but with these three simple steps, you’ll be able to show up and nail each interview!

All the Best,

Jeff Beckham