Rogers Resume Blog

So, you think you’ve come across the perfect job. You put the finishing touches on your resume, send it into the company and then you receive a call from their virtual assistant – the organisation wants you to come in for an interview! After all of the excitement from being chosen for the interview starts to die down, you may find yourself a little nervous about the actual interview process and wonder what it is that you can do to REALLY stand out. Implement the few tips listed here and you will really stand out amongst your competition, imperative to your success!

Whilst it’s really great that you might have all of the necessary skills needed to do this job, every organisation is different, as are the actual job requirements. Arming yourself with research about the company beforehand shows not only that you know who they are, but also that you have a general interest in the company. There are quite a few sources of free information readily available these days, so be sure to do your homework.

“Dress to Impress” is the basic motto for every job interview regardless of the industry. The best way of going about this is to take a good long look in the mirror and check to see if the person looking back at you confirms just two words: neat and clean. Most likely those interviewees that show up wearing wrinkled pants and dirty shirts will be shown the door before the interview starts. This doesn’t just apply to the clothes you are wearing. Proper grooming of facial hair for men and makeup for women is essential to complete the overall look.

Be sure to have a good idea of what you’re going to say about yourself before you go in for the interview. Remember, you are basically selling yourself to the potential employer, but you never want to come off as arrogant. The interview process will most likely be controlled by the interviewer, who will reference your resume to gather a little more information about your talents and abilities. Make a point of knowing all of the facts beforehand so that you don’t stumble over any questions. Remember, it’s likely they will throw some curve balls at you, so careful preparation for the interview is absolutely necessary; know yourself, and the details of what you need them to know about you too.

Always end the interview process with a genuine thank you for their time, and a handshake that shows you are confident and assured of your position in a new career. The interview is not the time to be shy and coy, it’s necessary for you to show how truly appreciative you are of the interviewer’s time to ensure that it certainly wasn’t wasted.

After the interview has ended, it is never a bad idea to follow up with a “thank you” phone call or even a handwritten letter. Doing this will more than likely give you an edge over the rest as it is a practice that seems to have gone out of style. Bring it back, it’s a classy gesture and it shows that you mean business.

Michelle Dale is The Managing Director of Virtual Miss Friday, an Executive Virtual Assistant who assists businesses and individuals with achieving their professional goals. Want to find out more about online business building success strategies? Support the Campaign for FREE Virtual Assistance today!