We’ve all experienced those job interview jitters.

Preparing for an interview with a new opportunity can seem daunting and overwhelming. You want to make a good impression, showcase your talent, and show how you would be a valuable asset to the company you’re applying for. 

The question is though, how do you go about doing that? 

To help you answer that question, we reached out to our hiring manager, Deveney, here at SOAR to see what tips she would recommend to job seekers stepping into a new interview! 

Deveney’s Tips

What are some ways job seekers can better prepare for an interview?

• “Make sure you understand the job you are interviewing for. Read the job description that is attached to the application and be sure that you are aware of the roles and responsibilities.”
• “Think of thoughtful questions when it comes to fulfilling the position you have applied for. When you don’t have questions at the end of the interview for the organization it can come off as uninterested and disengaged.” 

What is your advice for job seekers who are nervous about interviewing?

• “Be yourself! Have confidence in your skills and experience. Share your true experiences (without bashing your prior employers or managers) intentionally and thoughtfully. At the end of the day, organizations are hiring PEOPLE not just positions. There is obviously a reason you applied for the job and got an interview, so have confidence in your authentic self.”

What is the most common mistake you see job seekers make during interviews?

• “Not having a general background on the organization. Here at SOAR, I have had interviews that didn’t even know what the acronym stood for. Be informed about not only the position, but the organization as a whole. In doing so, there is a fine line of knowing enough and being a know it all. You don’t want to come off as knowing everything about the organization either.”
• “If organizations have multiple openings, be intentional in applying. Don’t apply for every single position open. Look at the roles that you are qualified for and determine which one (or two) are most interesting to you and stick with those. There is nothing wrong in an interview saying that you are open to other positions as well.” 

What are some qualities that really make a job seeker stand out?

• “Mission Driven and strong interest in bettering EKY” 
• “Adaptability to dynamic environments” 
• “Commitment to learning and open mindset”

What is your favorite question to ask a job seeker?

• “I always like to ask questions that let me see the personality of the individual. A favorite from SOAR is asking about the Core Values in which we operate on and which of them stands out the most to the candidate and why.”

What do you wish candidates knew about the hiring process?

• “It takes time! At times there are only 2 – 3 people looking at every single application that is coming in. It is unrealistic to think that you are going to receive any updates within an hour of your application.”
• “Additionally, organizations are just as careful at bringing on the right people as the applicants are about joining an organization. This process takes time especially if there is an intentional philosophy of joining the team.” 

What are some good ways for job seekers to follow up after an interview?

• “Sending a thank you email or message on LinkedIn is always a nice touch. It definitely will not hurt you.”
• “However, avoid sending multiple thank you’s and adding the interviewer on social media (outside of LI).” 

Prepare to present your best

Navigating a new job interview can be challenging, but you can still prepare to present the best version of yourself and your skills to your potential new employer. By using these tips you can put your interview fears to rest and know you are ready to showcase your talent. Your dream job is waiting for you; all you need to do now is prepare! 

Looking for more help on landing the job of your dreams? 

Join our EKY Talent Network today! Our personalized job matching means you’ll get access to job openings that fit your skills and aspirations, leading you to a brighter future.