Preparing thoroughly for an interview not only maximizes your chances for success but also lays the groundwork for effectively showcasing your skills and qualities long before you meet your potential employer face-to-face. Here at Vitus Search Group, we are committed to helping our candidates and clients find their perfect fit, so we’ve curated some essential tips to ensure you arrive at your interview fully prepared for success.
- Selecting the best day for an interview
Setting up the right time for an interview plays a crucial role in creating a positive first impression. Midweek—specifically Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday—is ideal for scheduling meetings when productivity is typically at its peak. Mondays are often marked by settling into work routines, while Fridays tend to be focused on wrapping up tasks. Therefore, aiming for midweek ensures that you and the employer have ample time and focus for the interview. Tuesday, in particular, is favored for interviews as it allows you to make an impression before other work priorities later in the week can take focus.
2. Selecting the best time of day for an interview
Choosing the optimal time of day for an interview can be advantageous for everyone by ensuring both the candidate and employer are energetic and focused. The ideal time is during the first half of the workday, ideally between 9 am and 11 am. This timeframe minimizes the likelihood of interruptions from unexpected work tasks that may occur later in the day. Additionally, an early interview sets a positive tone, allowing you to approach the meeting fresh and unaffected by the fatigue that can accumulate by the end of a long workday.
3. Have a general understanding of what you want
Once a time for your interview has been chosen, shift your focus to being well-prepared. Having a clear understanding of what you are looking for in a potential role is just as important as communicating to the hiring manager what you can bring to the position. Prepare by having a general understanding of what this role requires and what you want from it. Go into the interview knowing your own requirements for:
- Pay range
- Expected hours
- General responsibilities
- Other immediate requirements specific to you
An interview is an important opportunity to sell yourself to a company while also ensuring the role will meet your basic requirements. We want the first interview to be the only interview.
4. Prepare your own questions
- Make a List of questions to keep you on point and to make sure you don’t forget anything important.
- For candidates, making a strong first impression involves more than just punctuality and dressing for success. Demonstrating professionalism also includes asking insightful questions to learn about your potential employer. It’s crucial for you to get to know the employer just as much as they get to know you. We recommend preparing by familiarizing yourself with the role’s general responsibilities and the company’s values and goals. Understanding these aspects will help you craft thoughtful questions that reflect your genuine interest in the position. Consider preparing specific, tailored questions such as:
- What are my responsibilities for this role?
- Can you tell me more about the team I will be working with and who I will report to?
- What opportunities for training and development does the company offer?
- What are the biggest challenges this role often faces?
- What are your benefits and PTO policies
Asking questions like these not only helps you learn more about the company but also allows the employer to get to know you better.
5. Nail the basics
To make a great first impression and demonstrate professionalism, it’s crucial to focus on the fundamentals. Here are some essential tips to arrive for an interview prepared:
- Arrive on Time
- Punctuality is key to showcasing your organization, preparation, and professionalism. Plan to arrive early to account for unexpected delays like traffic. Make sure you have the address and contact information for your interview
- Dress for Success
- This well-known phrase holds true. Dressing professionally for the role you want shows an employer that you are serious about the position and sets a positive tone for the interview. This is true for not only in-person interviews, but video interviews as well, whether you are working in the office, remote, or hybrid
- Communicate
- Effective communication is a vital aspect of professionalism. Make sure to ask all your questions in the interview with your prospective employer. Don’t wait until after your interview to email or call with additional questions.
At Vitus Search Group, we are committed to helping our candidates and clients find their perfect match. If you have any questions about how to best prepare for your interview, please reach out to us. For tips on perfecting your interview, read 5 Tips for Demonstrating Your Collaborative Skills in a Job Interview.