Job Search Basics

The job hunt is notoriously exhausting, between spending hours and hours clicking through job search engines, writing out dozens of resumes and cover letters, and networking with everyone you can think of. It’s easy to lose sight of what you’re even doing a couple weeks (or months) in.

Sometimes, we all need a little reminder to make sure we’re maximizing our job hunt effectiveness. You put together a solid resume and cover letter, and you’ve just been called in for an interview. If you’re like most job seekers, you may be thinking you’ll just throw on a decent outfit that morning, show up on time, and wing it.

Preparation is the key to mastering a job interview. Plan ahead; organize your thoughts and materials.

Know yourself and how your skills match up with the position. Be prepared to go into more detail on anything the interviewer brings up from your resume. Refresh your memory about all your past work experiences. Think of stories that illustrate your ability to solve problems like the ones this employer might have.

Make sure you’re very clear on what you can bring to the company. Prepare a few talking points to address how your skills and background may help the employer address a critical area. Don’t focus on what you’ve done in the past; frame your responses in terms of what you can do for the new employer.

Research the company beforehand. Check out the employer’s web site and become more familiar with its business model, the market(s) in which it competes, and (if the company is public) its recent financial performance. Do a web search for articles or blogs that mention the company, either in a positive or negative light. Some web sites even feature employee critiques of companies.

Dress neatly and conservatively. You want to project the best possible image of yourself, so plan and prepare a neat, business-like outfit. You can’t go wrong with a business suit. Even if the company has explicitly stated that it’s a “business casual” workplace, stick with the suit.