Congratulations on landing a job interview you’ve worked so hard to get! Now that you have a chance to shine, what do you need to do in that interview to really shine?
Don’t ever walk into a job interview without being prepared – very well prepared. Sure, you know you need to look the part and dress the part, but you need to spend time figuring out why you are a good fit for the company.
How do you do that?
1. Investigate the Company
Do a little digging online to find out about the company. What is their overall mission? What does their corporate hierarchy look like? What do their employees say about working there? Find out what you like about the company and what things you might not like so much.
2. Compare Them to the Competition
How does this organization stack up against the competition? Do they have a better patient satisfaction rate? Do their employees have a great rapport with corporate? Are they leaders in cutting edge technology and practices? Find out what gives this company an edge in performance so you can talk about that in your interview.
3. Hear from the Employees
Do you know anyone who works at this organization? Ask them about working there. You don’t want to put them on the spot. It’s unprofessional to dish the dirt on their own company. But you can ask them what they like about the company. Is he or she happy with working there? Do they think you would be a good fit? Are they aware of any things that might be a problem for new employees or someone who holds a similar position to what you’re seeking?
4. Visualize Yourself Working There
After all you have found out, why do you want to work there and why are you the best person for this particular job in this particular company? You have to be able to answer this question in an interview, so you should really get your thoughts clear before you walk in. Grab a piece of paper and write down everything. Do you want to work there because they have a leading cardiac unit and that’s your area of expertise? Or, in all honestly, are you looking for a shorter commute? Write down all your reasons and then compile them into an answer that is honest (well, skip the shorter commute bit!), to the point, and shows why they should hire you, not the other 50 people interviewing for the position.
5. Remember Why You Are There
You’re there because you want the job. But the organization is interviewing you because they want to know what you can do for them. They don’t want to hear about all the super things you have done unless you can tell them how that will help their organization. This is where your previous investigation into the company comes into play. If you want to talk about your experience with lean practices, link it to the organization’s long-standing commitment to lean or their newly implemented program. How can your skills and expertise make their organization a better place?
A little work before hand makes you a much stronger job candidate and will result in a productive and positive job interview. When you’re done, follow up with a thank you and let them know again how you think your professional qualities would help them.
Good luck!
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