Whether you were approached by a recruiter or responded to a job ad that they posted, it can be intimidating to prepare for your interview.
How do you know what a recruiter is looking for? How can you impress someone who interviews candidates for a living? What are you supposed to do to prep for the interview?
Our guide to preparing for an interview will help you feel confident as you go into the interview process, whether in-person or virtually.
Liberty Staffing matches great candidates with open positions. Contact us today to learn more about how we can connect you with the job you’re looking for!
Here are seven ways to prepare for your interview with a recruiter (including one from Liberty Staffing).
1. Familiarize Yourself with the Job Description
Job descriptions may not include everything about a job, but they are usually full of helpful information.
Your recruiter will appreciate it if you bring knowledge and attention to detail to the interview. Whenever possible, recall the job description and requirements to demonstrate that you know about the job you want.
It’s okay to use the interview as a chance to get to know the company and the position too. Asking insightful, informed questions about the job shows that you have taken the time to learn about the company and position.
2. Update Your Resume
We have published lots of advice about creating a great resume. Check out our blog posts about creating your first resume for your first job or for your first summer job.
We have also written about how to use your administrative assistance experience to strengthen your resume and what to leave off your resume.
3. Learn As Much As Possible About the Company Before the Interview
The more you know about the company, the easier your interview will go!
Before you go into the interview, make a short list of pieces of information you can remember about the company. For example, what is their mission statement, and do you feel like you relate to it? How many people work there, and do you like the idea of joining a small business or a large company? What is the company’s specialty or reputation in the industry?
Google, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and the company's website or social media are great places to get this information.
4. Dress to Impress
We know that not all jobs require you to wear business attire. You’re not going to show up in a suit and tie for your warehouse job, nor are you going to wear business casual to an industrial position.
Even if you end up wearing a uniform or clothes that can get dirty if you get the job, you should still consider your appearance when you have your interview.
That doesn’t mean you have to dress up, but it does mean you should look presentable. Your clothes should be clean and conservative – no slogans, band T-shirts, or torn jeans, for example.
If you are interviewing for an office job, wear something that matches the clothes you expect to wear in the workplace.
The important thing is that you show through your appearance that you take the interview seriously. You don’t want to look like you just rolled out of bed, put on a shirt from the floor, and showed up without putting some time into your appearance.
5. Prepare a List of Questions for the Recruiter
At some point in the interview, your recruiter will likely ask, “Do you have any questions for me?”
That’s a great time to impress your recruiter by asking thoughtful questions about the position or company. You can ask things like this:
- What is expected of team members at the company?
- What kind of advanced opportunities are there for employees who perform well?
- How is the company growing and changing over time?
- What is the best thing about recruiting for this company?
6. Be Punctual
Punctuality is another way to show that you take the interview seriously. It is also an excellent way to demonstrate that you will show up to work on time. When you’re on time (or a little early) to your interview, it tells your recruiter that you will likely consistently show up to work when scheduled.
7. Don't Forget to Follow Up
After your interview with a recruiter, send a follow up note. A simple email that thanks them for their time will go a long way to communicate several things about yourself: you are thoughtful, take time to express gratitude, and know how to follow through.
Liberty Staffing Can Help You Find a Great New Position
Our recruiters work tirelessly to connect job seekers with great employers in Southern Ontario. Let us do that work for you, too!
Contact Liberty Staffing today to learn how you can be one of the candidates we help this year!
