Whether a fresh faced graduate or a seasoned executive, finding a new job is incredibly hard. You would think that the Internet has made things easier, but it turns out all it does is broadcast openings to your competition.
The point is, not only is job-hunting a competitive sport – it’s also confusing. Be proud if you have managed to engineer your way to the first interview, but don’t get comfortable. Your first interview may well be the most challenging obstacle you face. Here are four things to remember so you don’t blow it.
- It’s still a buyer’s market.
Fifteen years ago, business was booming all across the world and job hunters had it made. Demand far exceeded supply, so well qualified employees found themselves with a bevy of offers from HR managers desperate to fill positions. The 21st century though has been dominated by recession and miniscule growth. While statistics show that unemployment is falling and businesses are once again expanding, a recession mentality still hangs in the air. After more than a decade of over overqualified applicants applying for menial positions, it is still very much a buyer’s market. Companies know this, which means your top priority in an interview is to demonstrate your value.
- Don’t just “be yourself”, be “your best self”.
While nobody is suggesting you should engage in an elaborate deception, recognize that this oft-given pearl of wisdom is wishful thinking at its worst. We are who we need to be depending on the situation. You behave one way with your spouse and another way with your old college roommate and still another way with your parents.
Q. So which one of these “selves” should you be during your interview?
A. NONE OF THEM.
A job interview, not unlike a first date, is a time to shine, to put nothing short of your best foot forward. It is a time to remember the importance of polite manners, proper grammar and good posture. These things may seem superficial, but they are just some of the ways you can demonstrate your value to a potential employer.
- Research, Research, Research.
These days, even small companies maintain a presence on the web. As a job hunter, the information on these sites could very well be the difference between a job offer and a routine email.
The vast majority of companies maintain a presence on various social media outlets due to its extreme popularity. Facebook, for example, boasts some 1.4 million members, approximately the population of China.
You can learn a lot about a company from their social media sites. Their mission statement and news releases are good examples, as are objective pieces of information like the name of their Human Resources Director or other key people you may meet during your first interview. You can also learn a great deal of subjective information as well – the culture of the company, what they strive to accomplish, why they started their company in the first place. Follow a company with an active Twitter account. Ask them questions. You’d be surprised how generous many companies are with information on Twitter. Some companies have an entire department devoted to social media management. You are not bothering them with your questions. If anything, your questions increase engagement, which is the ultimate objective of any social media platform.
Looking for some advice or help in your job search? First Avenue is the place for you. Our passion is connecting superstars with super teams. We leave no stone unturned in uncovering the best talent out there, and pride ourselves on going above and beyond for our clients and candidates.