Promote your best self!
Research the company so you have informed conversation and can ask relevant questions. Search, employer websites, sites like Glass Door/Indeed, and industry forums are your friend. If you know colleagues or are friendly with LinkedIn members connected to the organization, reach out for insights.
For video/phone meetings, make sure you are in a quiet area with good connectivity.
For in person meetings, map your route and allow for more time than expected (to account for traffic, parking, and building security).
Good idea to keep a small bottle of water and a tissue on hand. No gum, candy, etc.
Dress professionally (unless instructed otherwise) for all visual interaction.
For in-person, bring copies of your resume for each participant (plus one or two more just in case). Handshakes are customary at greeting and departure.
Have professional references at the ready, but only provide when asked.
Conversation Tips:
Answer questions clearly and concisely, keeping ‘um,’ ‘you know,’ etc. to a minimum. The conversation is a two-way street. Don’t monopolize it.
Eye contact is important to show engagement. So, don't stare and don’t ‘search’ for answers by looking up / down repeatedly or fidgeting. If you don’t look comfortable, you won’t look confident.
For video meetings, look primarily at the camera when speaking, not your screen.
Have answers for what you will bring to the table (quantitatively and qualitatively) and what you are looking for in a new role. Have questions ready for them too! (see tip #1).
Never speak negatively about a former employer. You can discuss why you’re looking without any nitty gritty. Speaking negatively is a red flag to the interviewer. Plus, you never know who knows who!
Salary, benefits, PTO are best left for follow up conversations, unless the employer brings it up.
Be prepared for the possible pre-employment tests (skills assessment, personality profile, background or drug test, etc.).
At conclusion, ask next steps and timetable. It is not appropriate to ask about other candidates or how you rank in their candidate search.
Thank them for their time, and be sure to get direct contact info for thank you notes and general follow up. (If video or phone, you’ve already got it. If in person, ask for a business card)
After the interview, send a brief thank you email (or text if that’s the only contact info you have) and your openness to further conversation.
If the process is unsuccessful, keep it positive and professional – you just made a new industry/networking contact and want to keep an open line of communication.
Read 6 Interview Tips from LinkedIn
Watch Indeed’s Interview Game on YouTube