You’ve landed the interview—now, how can you position yourself as the top choice? To make a lasting impression, there are key steps to take before sitting down with the hiring manager. Ensure your resume highlights relevant experience, leverage your recruiter for valuable insights, prepare thoughtful questions to demonstrate your interest, and dress appropriately for the role.
Update Your Resume
Your resume should be a clear reflection of your professional experience, responsibilities, and achievements. Ask yourself:
- What tasks was I responsible for?
- Did I lead a team, and if so, how many people?
- What were the sizes and impact of my projects?
- How did I contribute to company’s success?
- Are there any quantifiable results or deadlines I met?
List your roles in chronological order and include key accomplishments to create a strong, well-rounded resume.
Work with Your Recruiter
If you’re working with a recruiter, use them as a resource. Ask about the hiring manager(s), the reason the position is open, and the top priorities for the role. If possible, see if you can speak with current employees to gain insights into company culture, workload, and expectations. Remember, you’re also evaluating the company to ensure it’s a good fit for you.
Research the Company & Prepare Questions
Have you done your homework? Thoroughly research the company—its size, competitive edge, recent news, industry impact, and key competitors. You’ll also be asked about your professional experience, problem-solving skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Ensure that every response ties back to how you can contribute to the company’s success.
Prepare insightful questions to ask the interviewer. This shows your enthusiasm and understanding of the role.
Dress the Part & Come Prepared
Your appearance should match the role you’re pursuing. If unsure about the company’s dress code, call the receptionist to confirm. When in doubt, it’s always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.
Bring copies of your resume, a professional notebook, and a pen for note-taking. Having your prepared questions written down will help you stay organized and demonstrate professionalism.
With the right preparation, you won’t need luck—just confidence. Go in prepared, and you’ll be ready to impress!