WRITTEN BY JEFF SHIFFMAN, CO-OWNER OF BOOM BOX POST
Job interviews are a challenge. As much as you know you deserve the job, those interviewing you do not (yet). A job interview is a sales pitch; the product you are selling is yourself. No worries, you know yourself really well! You just need to bring your story forward in the best way possible.
Here at Boom Box Post, we have a very robust apprenticeship program. Each term runs for 6 months which means twice a year, we are interviewing candidates - guaranteed. Alongside our regular staffing needs, it’s safe to say we have done a lot of interviewing over the years. The best candidates always stand out.
So how do you get ahead of the curve and really sell yourself to a room (or zoom) full of strangers? Below are my tips on how to set yourself apart from the crowd and interview like a star.
Cover Letter and Resume
First we need to take a look at your communication prior to the interview. After all, without a great cover letter and resume, there won’t be an interview to begin with.
Before you do anything else, update your resume and then proofread it. Agonize over the spacing of each line, the wording, etc. No matter the industry, everyone wants to employ neat and organized workers. Of course, the actual content of the resume is extremely important so be sure all your best accomplishments are on display. Personally, I like to see a one page resume; concise and to the point.
Resumes are fantastic, but for my money the real goods come in the cover letter. This is a chance to inject some personality and heart into your request for employment. Generic cover letters stick out like a sore thumb. Tell your prospective employer why you want this job. What is it that drew you to the job, the company, etc. What about your history makes you uniquely suited for the position? Length is also important. A sentence is lazy, but your entire life’s story over 10 paragraphs is overkill. Find what you want to say and edit it down to a few concise paragraphs that someone can read quickly without getting overwhelmed.
Do Your Homework
“At a minimum, take some time to google the company and write down some talking points. What about their work interests you? ”
There’s nothing worse than a candidate who doesn’t know a thing about the company to which they are applying. It’s lazy. At a minimum, take some time to google the company and write down some talking points. What about their work interests you? Are there particular projects or products that you identify with or relate to? Bring this up in the interview! If you want to go the extra mile, find out who exactly is interviewing you and see if you can learn some things about their position at the company. It’s extremely helpful to know who you’re going to be talking to. If you’re clever, you’ll be able to figure out what they do and how those they hire can make their work-life easier. Then lean into the fact that you are that person. It seems obvious but so few take this extra step. Entering the interview prepared will give you a huge leg up.
Present Yourself Professionally
You only get one chance to make a first impression. It’s a cliche for a reason. Interview decisions are often made in the first thirty seconds. Sure, you have the duration of the interview to try and change someone’s mind, but why not start off on the right foot by making that great first impression the moment you walk in?
“Your attitude and personality play a huge part in whether you’ll be hired. You want to project a calm confidence. Not to be mistaken with over-confidence ”
Properly presenting yourself at an interview is not just the clothes you choose, though you should definitely wear professional clothing to any interview regardless of the company culture. It shows you care on a very basic level. Going beyond your appearance, your attitude and personality play a huge part in whether you’ll be hired. You want to project a calm confidence. Not to be mistaken with over-confidence which can quickly come off as arrogance. It’s a delicate balance, but you want to show you know what you’re doing but are also eager to learn and grow. This is so important. No one wants to hire someone who comes off as though they know more than the owner of the company. We want teammates and collaborators.
While we are at it, try your best not to fidget, and maintain good posture. They may be small details, but a slouchy or antsy candidate leaves a poor impression. Are you an anxious person? So many of us are! There are resources out there to help. Your self-care work will be rewarded. Deep breaths, it’ll be ok.
Practice Your Story
“So… tell us about yourself.” I’m always surprised when a candidate stumbles at this question. This is the one question you can count on being asked in an interview. The company wants to know two basic things - who are you and are you qualified for this job? In some cases, this is the most essential part of the process. So plan for it and have your answer ready to go.
At home, write down your answer, editing it to be concise and to the point (like your cover letter). It doesn’t have to be a droning list of facts. Throw in some personality, add some levity. This is also a great time to pepper in some of the facts you learned in your research of the company. Once you’re satisfied with your answer, practice. A lot. Start in front of a mirror and when you’ve got it down, recruit your friends and family to give you a live audience (as well as potential feedback). Like an actor in a stage play, you’ll know you’re ready when the words don’t sound rehearsed and feel natural. Which they should. After all, these are your words and things you truly believe. You’ve just cared enough to have it properly prepared. Does this sound extreme? Well, how much do you want the job?
Be an Active Participant in the Process
At the end of the interview, we always ask our candidates if they have any questions. It baffles me when they do not. Of course you should have questions. Want to make a great impression? Come prepared with a list of questions. As the interview takes place, take notes, crossing off questions that have been answered and jotting down any new ones that may pop up in the process. It shows care and forethought and goes a long way.
You can do this! These are simple steps, but you would be surprised at how many people skip them. Put in the work and the time investment will be recognized; giving you the best possible chance in your next job interview.