You should never leave an interview thinking, “I should have asked them that.”

Most people see an interview as the person behind the desk asking all the questions. The reality is, an interview is a meeting of people, with the prefix “inter” meaning mutually or between. If you’re not asking questions during your interview, you’ll feel as though you’re on the receiving end of a firing squad rather than hunting for a job. When you’re looking for a job, your interviewer shouldn’t be the only one asking questions.

If you don’t get a clear picture of your potential responsibilities, ask for more information. Just because you’ve held a similar position before doesn’t mean that the one you are interviewing for will be the same. Find out how frequently the position has changed hands. If it’s been very volatile, ask why. Ask them to give you an idea of the role that the particular department you’re interviewing for plays in the overall organization.

Just because a position looks great today doesn’t mean it will five years down the road. You never want to be stagnant in the business world, so inquire to see if the position fits nicely with your career aspirations. Does the firm encourage or even fund continued education? What have previous employees in the same position gone on to do? Will you be able to grow from within the firm, or is it a dead end? Be wary of any employees who can’t give you a clear role that the position plays in a career path, and look for a position that encourages growth.

Salary discussion usually doesn’t come until you have a job offer. That being said, don’t be afraid to ask what the range is for the position, and don’t shy away from smaller details about compensation. If the interviewer isn’t forward about it, ask about health and retirement plans. Does the company have health coverage? Do employees have access to a 401(k) plan? If bonuses are part of your compensation, what is the criteria? Are they performance based? The more you know about how compensation works before you are offered a position gives you a better perspective of how strong the offer is.

Lastly, be sure to gain some knowledge on how the company is doing and where it’s headed. Is the company living up to its mission? Is it meeting its revenue goals? How are business operations funded? If the answer to that question is venture capital and bank loans and the revenue goals aren’t being met, there’s a very good chance changes are brewing. Asking to review the firms business plan isn’t a bad idea if you’re applying for a senior position either. You’ll be able to compare what the firm wants to do and what it’s actually doing.

If you’ve been on the hunt for a job for a while it can be easy to jump at the first offer that comes your way. Look before you leap; don’t accept anything before you have a good feel for the company as a whole. Asking questions during your interview conveys your interest in the position and encourages the interviewer to believe that you’re dedicated and success-driven. Regardless of what your elementary school teacher told you, there are such things as stupid questions, but you can avoid asking them by going into an interview with a prepared set of questions designed to cover the bases that the interviewer doesn’t.

No one likes waiting, especially if you are waiting to hear whether you got the job or not. Maybe you thought the interview was going to be the most stressful part of the hiring process. But you are soon realizing that the time between the interview and when you find out if you are the right fit for the position is even more stressful. It almost feels like when you are waiting for a date to call you back- you start second guessing everything and then wondering if you should call or if there is anything else you could have done. Good news – it does not have to be like this at all. So just take a breath while we detail a step by step process on what to do after the interview is over.

Step 1: The thank you note

You need to send some sort of thank you note within 24 hours after the interview. This will keep you fresh in the interviewer’s mind, especially if he or she interviewed more than one candidate that day. Some companies appreciate the traditional hand-written letters the best. But most companies will be fine with an email. You have to feel the company out for yourself and decide which method would be most appropriate. Most experts believe you should send a three paragraph thank you note. It is supposed to read like a sales letter. The first paragraph should thank them for their time and reassert how interested you are in the position after hearing more about it. The second paragraph is where you should make specific references to the interview which will make the note more personal. You can also include some of your strengths here that will directly cater to the company. The last paragraph is where you can make any clarifications or ask any questions. Don’t let these paragraphs get too lengthy or you risk losing the interviewer’s attention.

Step 2: Wait

You should wait until the tentative date the interviewer said they will contact you during the interview before reaching out again. If the interviewer does not call you back within around three days of that date, feel free to call the company. Many people assume that if the company does not contact you immediately, that they did not get the job. The reality is that everyone gets busy and the aforementioned date may have slipped the interviewer’s mind. Therefore, you should feel comfortable calling the company and inquiring about the position. Don’t be aggressive or accusatory during this call; remain positive and interested in the position. If you have to leave a message and no one is calling you back, you can try again in a few days. If the company does not get back to you after multiple messages, it’s time move on. If this is the case, do not get discouraged.

As we said before this process is like dating, it sometimes takes a while to find a relationship that is right for both parties. Every interview you have is an experience that can help you grow as a candidate and narrow down what you really want in a job. 

It’s totally normal to be nervous before going into a job interview. That doesn’t mean you have to let your nerves take over the interview. The last thing you want to do is approach an interview as a “jitterbug”.

Here are 5 tips to start off your interview with a strong first impression:

1. Research the company/ interviewer.
2. Plan your interview outfit.
3. De-stress by having a good laugh or listen to music.
4. Prepare your questions for the interviewer.
5. Practice answers to basic interview questions that may pop up.

Once you’re in the interview remember to take deep breaths to release some of that nervous energy. Don’t be afraid admit to the interviewer that you are feeling nervous if you start to see yourself stumbling over your words. It shows you’re human and it could end up having the interviewer relate to you. Try saying something along the lines of, “I apologize, I’m a little nervous” and then carry on with your conversation.

Don’t forget to bring several copies of your resume with you. Your resume is a great resource to turn to when talking about yourself/past work experiences if you get nervous. Also, printing out a copy of the job description to bring to the interview can prove to be beneficial.

Overall, the best strategy for handling your “interview nerves” is to prepare your questions and do your homework on the company before you arrive. Be sure to bring a copy of your resume, job description and questions for tools to turn to if you feel your nerves affecting your interview.

Writing a thank you letter after a job interview is a must.  Whether your interview was in-person or over the phone you should send a thank you note within 24 hours of the interview. Step one is to leave an interview with the interviewer’s business card. If one is not handed to you then ask for it. If you have a phone email, ask to confirm the interviews contact information before the end of the call. You send this in one of two ways: email or snail mail. Use your judgment here. Hand written letters on stationary are a nice touch and recommended, but if you know the hiring process is moving quickly it is best to send a thank you letter via email.

Show you were listening and cover the basics. The thank you letter doesn’t have to be long, but it should be personal and hit on topics discussed during the interview. Be sure to re-emphasize your interest, reasons you are best suited for the job and how you can be contacted. If you go the route of a hand written note, you should send it immediately after sending a thank you email in the event the written note arrives late or gets lost.

It wouldn’t hurt to let them know you will be following up with them within a certain amount of time, i.e. one week. This way if you do not hear back from the potential employer, call or email them on the day you noted you would follow-up. When you reach out, re-introduce yourself and remind them of when you interviewed and for what position. Ask them if they have made a selection, and if not, when they plan too. Again, keep it short and thank them for their time.

The question of whether or not companies are moving towards video interviews has been answered. More and more companies are conducting video interviews. According to a new survey conducted by OfficeTeam, 6 in 10 companies conduct job interviews via video. Now the question becomes, are you ready for them?

A video interview generally involves a candidate answering a series of pre-determined interview questions using a webcam to record their answers. There two common practices for video interviewing: one-way and two-way interviews.

One-way interviews pre-screen candidates by having them respond to pre-set questions without a recruiter on the other end. Two-way interviews are conducted using a video calling service, such as Skype. Candidates and recruiters interact as part of a two-way, live interactive interview process, which tend to be used later in the interview process.

Here are 10 tips to review when participating in video interviews:

1. Test the technology
2. Choose the right location
3. Take a trial run
4. Look at the camera, not the screen
5. Dress appropriately
6. Calm your nerves and exude confidence
7. Speak loudly and clearly
8. Think about timing
9. Don’t let mistakes throw you off
10. Treat is like a real interview, do your research

Video interviews are an excellent way to showcase you and your glowing personality. Research shows this is not a trend that will disappear in a few years so it’s best to get used to the idea and start practicing. You never know a company might make such a request.

The hot summer sun can present a challenge when going on interviews. Here are some summer interview tips and tricks we would like to leave you with for your upcoming interviews.

• Arrive to an interview 15-20 minutes early to cool off.
• Try Boscia Fresh Blotting Linens. They absorb excess oil and banish shine without disturbing your makeup. These are great to have in your bag so you arrive      looking fresh with makeup in tact.
• Wear appropriate attire for summer interviews.

You can look professional and still stay cool when interviewing in the summer months. Be sure to still dress appropriately for the employer.

• Bring along a comb, cologne and deodorant along with the breath mints and your resume.
• If you wear a suit, throw the jacket over your arm or shoulder. It’s hot out – employers      understand and you look professional without overheating.
• Ladies, for additional fun summer wardrobe suggestions visit here.

Most importantly, be prepared and do not let the heat distract you from what you from an amazing interview!

While this may seem like an obvious statement, we have to reiterate how important it is to show you’re interested in the job you’re interviewing for.  Do not assume that just because you applied and showed up on time for the interview that the hiring manager believes you’re extremely interested in the position.

Believe it or not, you may be interested before the interview and not so interested after meeting with the hiring manager. Also, you want to be sure that the hiring manager doesn’t mistake your nervousness for disinterest in the role.

How can you prevent a non-verbal miscommunication with the hiring manager?

1. Make sure you show your gratitude and interest.  “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. After learning more about the position, I am confident that it’s exactly what I’m looking for. I am very interested in the role.
2. Take deep breaths and don’t let your nervousness override your integrity and personality.
3. Make eye contact
4. Firmly shake the hiring managers hand
5. Express yourself.  Don’t leave the interview without taking advantage of the opportunity to sell yourself. With confidence, express how, after hearing more about the various responsibilities of the position, you can be a successful candidate. Use specific examples if possible.

In reality, please and thank you are actually magic words.  Say it like you mean it and let them know you’re interested. Hiring managers aren’t mid readers.

If you find yourself interviewing for a job while you’re currently employed, you will, most likely, encounter this question:

“Why do you want to leave your current job?”

Tread lightly here because you should not mention any reasons that may cross over the job responsibilities that match the job your interviewing for.

Pick two things that you feel you have outgrown in your current role. The main reason for your leaving should never be negative.

For instance:

“While I have really enjoyed my time at company, I am looking for a more challenging role where I can learn and grow.”

You also must elaborate on why you are not learning and growing with your current company.

Go to the interview prepared to give specific examples why and how you think you can take these new responsibilities and learn, contribute, and grow within this company.

In a recent article by Refinery 29, five successful Chicagoans were interviewed on what they think are the best pointers to scoring your dream job. Each person interviewed had varying and helpful answers to the same six questions:

• What is the first step to take when searching for the perfect job?
• What is the wisest piece of interview advice you’ve ever been given/given to others?
• How can readers make themselves stand out professionally among other job applicants?
• What is one job hunt mistake, and how can someone avoid it?
• What are some fashion musts when going on an interview?
• What interview question should all interviewees be prepared to answer?

Try and answer these questions on your own before clicking this link to see the actual interviews.

Some of our favorite points included:

• If possible, gain some internship experience in the field where you’re applying
• Do you research before every interview
• Even if it’s just an exploratory interview, always send a handwritten thank you card
• Understand that there is a fine line between being persistent and being a nuisance
• Try and gauge the dress code of the company and dress accordingly for the interview
• Have answers prepared for the questions – “What can you bring to the table” and “What separates you from the stack of resumes I have on my desk”
• Make sure you emphasize your accomplishments and not your credentials
• Always come prepared with questions to ask the interviewer
• Customize your resume
• Stay positive throughout the interview process – “You’ve got to stub your toe once in a while.”

We hope you enjoyed this post. Have a great weekend!