June 27, 2022

TAC Tips for Interview Success: Before, During, and After

About The Applied Companies®:

The Applied Companies® strives to collaborate with employers looking to grow their workforce with professional, reliable, and ambitious individuals. The goal at TAC is simple: we want to help alleviate the stress of looking for a job as well, and make sure that our candidates are compatible with a role that’s right for them. For over 20 years, TAC has been an active member of the business community. With a Northern Nevada focus and national expertise in temp and direct hire, recruitment, executive search, human resources, PEO, and payroll administration, TAC provides businesses with solutions that are right for their organization.  

As for working with job seekers, now is the right time to find employment with your local employment agency. We’re sharing some tried and true tips when it comes to finding your dream job and acing an interview:

the applied companies

How to Prepare For an Interview

You’ve wowed a company with your impressive cover letter and resume, so naturally the next step is either an in-person or phone interview. 

First, a friend, family member or partner can help you practice through a mock interview and can be a great starting point to your job interview prep. This gives you a chance to receive feedback on your answers, posture, appearance, and nonverbal communication. Even paying attention to your handshake can make a subtle difference! 

Another suggestion to gain confidence for the interview is to research the company and the individual(s) interviewing you. Learning about their roles and personal interests through their LinkedIn profile or through the company’s website allows you to mention highlights during the interview to give you common ground while standing out.

Print out extra copies of your resume so the interviewers can have a physical copy to keep referring back to. Make sure to bring a pen and professional notebook, in addition to your A-game: after all, people tend to hire other people with a positive and upbeat personality!

job interview prep

If you dress to impress, you’ll make a great first impression. We suggest choosing an outfit that is a step above the office standard to show professionalism, and conservative business attire is appropriate for every setting.

Above all, make sure to get a great amount of sleep and properly fuel up on the day of. Stick to healthy foods for breakfast or lunch, and hydrate throughout the day to prevent a dry throat when speaking.

What to Do During the Interview

Providing a portfolio and letting the interviewer take a look at previous projects can make a great first impression. Stick to asking questions about the job responsibilities, qualifications, or other key details about the position. This is also a great time to learn more about the culture of the company or the department, and what the structure looks like. Remember, this is also your chance to interview the company and see if this is a good fit for you and your values.

If an interviewer asks about any of your strengths and weaknesses, it’s sometimes hard to come up with an answer at the moment. Being honest and self-aware of any issues is a great start, but combining it with an action plan lets you stand apart from other candidates. On the contrary, finding a few traits that you tend to utilize in your work is important. Are you a problem solver or more numbers driven when it comes to tackling tasks? Is time management something you are really good at, too? If so, explain these traits and how you do in specific situations with them as a way to wow the interviewer.

Lastly, consider why you want to work for a place and what about the role is most appealing for you. Out of all the companies hiring, why did you choose this one? Hearing about why you specifically chose them can really score some bonus points with the interviewer. 

What to do After an Interview

After an interview, it’s important to elevate yourself as a candidate by keeping your name fresh in the company’s mind. It shows that you are eager for the role, especially if it’s a competitive field. 

At the end of the interview, make sure to get the contact information of the hiring manager and ask questions that will give you a time frame for the decision making. Questions like “How many days will you need to make a decision?” Or “Will there be a second interview?” can help. Send any supporting documents like a page of references, written assessments, or background check approval.

Sending a thank you email is a fantastic way to stand out. Doing so will demonstrate your interest in the job, and showing appreciation is a good look during the search process.

Other Job Interview Tips to Keep in Mind

It’s typically better for an interviewer to bring up the topic of salary and benefits, and always try to end on a positive note. Other questions not to ask include wanting to know about promotions and reviews. Any questions that beg “What’s in it for me?”, be it for hours, benefits, salary or growth, will be answered within the process and not on an initial interview. Many people interviewing for jobs must keep in mind that an offer doesn’t always come from the first step.

Lastly, interviewers often ask questions that ask you to share situations that you found difficult at previous positions. This helps them understand how you might respond in similar situations at this workplace, so prepare by reflecting on a few scenarios ahead of time.  

what to do during an interview

Contact The Applied Companies to Find Your Next Career

For many people in Reno and Sparks, they took time to reassess their careers during the pandemic. Here at TAC, we saw this first hand as our trained professionals learned more about the workforce, search recruitment, and professional employer organizations as well. 

We truly enjoy helping top-level candidates find the right position, the right culture, and the right company to thrive in. 

Connect With Our Employment Agency in Reno

© 2024 The Applied Companies       ALL RIGHTS RESERVED       PRIVACY POLICY
chevron-right linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram