Dear Ready to be Remembered,

Imagine you were at a restaurant and you asked your waiter what their favorite dish on the menu is and they told you they had never eaten there. You’d probably be pretty shocked. Now imagine they had no idea what type of cuisine the restaurant serves. Yeah. That would be really really bad. That’s what it’s like for a hiring manager when they interview a candidate who hasn’t done any prior research. So, that’s the big secret. Do your homework. Let’s break that down a little. 

Number 1. Check out the company website. The job description might match your keyword search, but what does the company actually do? See if the website has an about section so you can learn the story behind the business. Do they have a blog? If so, read some of them. Become familiar with the brand language, and develop a list of questions to ask the hiring manager to get to know the company better (we’ll touch on this in a little bit). 

Tip 2. Deep dive into the job description. Read through the entire job description (twice) and highlight any parts that stand out to you. Mark the areas you have experience in and mark areas that you have questions about. Research and programs or software mentioned that you aren’t experienced in. And remember, write down questions about the job description to ask the hiring manager! Are you picking up on a theme yet? 

Number 3. It’s ok to stalk the hiring manager (on LinkedIn). This is the only time that I will encourage stalking – but it is so important to put a face to the name. Plus, with LinkedIn, you get more than a picture. You can see the hiring manager’s history at the company, their education, and you might even discover you have mutual connections, or share an alma mater. If you are doing a phone interview, imagine how comfortable you’ll feel imagining the face of the person on the other end of the line… This will give you a serious leg up, so don’t skip this step! P.S. write down a question that stems from your research. What is the hiring manager’s favorite part of the company culture? What brought them to the company? 

Secret 4. Take notes during the interview. This one should go without saying, but people rarely take notes during an interview. However, taking notes shows that you are actively listening and that you are taking this opportunity seriously. You don’t want to walk out of the room and forget what the benefit package is, or what the key perks of the company culture are – OR THE ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS! 

Don’t forget 5. Ok, so I’ve hopefully made it clear, but you need to have questions ready before the interview. Be ready to showcase that you did your homework by asking educated questions. Not having any questions about a job or company that you’re looking for a career with is as bad as a waiter not knowing what kind of food the restaurant serves. 

Last tip. Send a thank you note. This is really the cherry on the cake, but I know hiring managers who absolutely won’t hire a candidate if they don’t follow up after the interview. Show some initiative and send a card (yes, a physical card) to the hiring manager, thanking them for their time and the opportunity to interview. Reference something specific from the interview to show you were really paying attention (go back to your notes). This is a really smart move to make to ensure you move to the top of the candidate pile.

These 6 steps will really make sure that you are set up for success before even walking into the interview room, and it will also really make you stand out after the interview. When I talk to hiring managers, they tell me that over half of the candidates they interview don’t do any research before walking into an interview. By taking some extra time and doing your homework, you give yourself a massive leg up. 

Sincerely,
Jenny