EMPLOYEE LOGIN
EMPLOYEE LOGIN
You applied for an open position…your resume was reviewed…the hiring manager is interested…you received a request for an interview…now what?
All too often, a job is lost at the interview stage. Sure, it is hard to make it through the weeding process in the first place, but if given a chance to interview, you don’t want to blow it. So, how do you prepare?
Let’s focus specifically on a safety role or position. Here are some tips to prepare yourself for an interview.
First and foremost, research the company to familiarize yourself with their work, their history and their values. Find out what you can from anyone you know who has worked for the company. Determine a few things that you would like to know so that you can formulate questions to ask the interviewing team during your interview. These are the things that show that you want the job and that you care about the company you work for.
Next, prepare yourself for the cache of questions that will be directed towards you. Be aware that most interviewers and teams of interviewers ask “canned” questions to see how you respond. This makes it easier since you can prepare for some of these questions. Anyone can Google the top 10 interview questions, and I can guarantee that at least a few of them will be included in your interview, such as what is your greatest strength, what is your greatest opportunity for improvement, and tell me about a time when you disagreed with a supervisor. These questions are all aimed at determining your character and your views.
My advice with questions like these is first, to be prepared, and second, be very clear and concise in your answer. Many interviewees tend to talk in circles, which does not leave a good taste in the mouth of the interview team. If anything, answer your question very clearly and, when appropriate, ask them questions about how they handle certain things, such as helping their employees develop key skills that aid in overcoming a weakness, such as speaking in front of groups of people or presenting a training program.
Whether we like it or not and whether we feel that we are very qualified for a role, it is the feeling that the interviewing team leaves with that determines whether an offer will be sent to you. For this reason, bring you’re A game and do everything that you can to connect with the interviewers and convince them that you will help them to achieve their objectives. As I say this, I also want to emphasize that balance is necessary; you don’t want to be over the top and come across too strongly. I would say that a balance of confidence and humility is the best approach.
In summary, it is critical that you prepare for each interview independently and make sure that you stand out from the rest. It is not easy, and you will not always get the job, but this approach will ensure that you perform at the highest level possible, increasing your odds. Good luck.
