PPB June 2021

more open to hiring remote employees. In 2020, most promotional product company employees were forced to work from home. During that time, employers and managers found that this was a workable and lower-overhead business model. Moving ahead, remote work will open up opportunities for employment that would traditionally not be feasible due to geography. ResearchThe Organization The very first thing you want to do in preparation is to research the company you will be interviewing with. Check out the company’s website. Read the “About Us” section and get a feel for who they are, what they are about and when they were founded. Find a fact that speaks to you that you can slip into the interview conversation. The same goes for researching the hiring manager you’ll be speaking with. Talk to someone who already works at the company or find someone on LinkedIn who is currently working in a position similar to the one you hope to land. See how they describe the position and find something you like about it. This will help you speak more to what the hiring manager may be looking for. Package Your Positives Go into the interview with a game plan. Select two to four key points about your experience and background that you want to emphasize to the interviewer. Reiterate these often. These points should tie into both the business goals of the company and the hiring goals of the hiring manager. They should be specific and spell out exactly why you are the right person for the job. Package Your Negatives Many candidates have some shortcoming or weakness within their career history. Maybe you have had a three-month gap in employment or maybe your formal management experience is lacking. Whatever the issue is, be prepared to address it. Plan out in advance how you are going to explain the issue should it come up in the interview. It’s best to keep your explanation brief. Cover it quickly and move on to the next topic. What ToWear Keep your attire neutral and conservative. Remember to dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Even if you are interviewing for a customer service job behind a desk and a phone, you still want to project potential for upward mobility and the best way to ensure that is to show the hiring manager, right off the bat, that you’re a professional. Since you will likely be interviewing at least once via video conference, rather than in a hiring manager’s office, don’t assume appearance isn’t important. You still need to dress to impress. If you look professional, you will feel and act professional as well. Also, be mindful of your environment on video calls. Choose the quietest, most peaceful room in your home to avoid interruptions. In that room, position yourself toward a window so that your face is well lit. If that’s not possible, purchase a ring light made for video conference calls to ensure adequate lighting so your face and expressions can be seen clearly. What others see on their end of the video call is your first impression. Make it a great one. What To Bring Bring extra copies of your resume in some type of folder to keep them clean and neat. Bring a notepad or professional binder and a pen. First Impressions Sit up straight and don’t fidget. Manage how you react to the interviewer and do your best to keep your facial expressions positive. Make it clear that you’re actively listening to your interviewer by maintaining good eye contact. Remember that making a good first impression starts when you drive into the parking lot, so be friendly to everyone you see and meet. Keep Responses Simple Be sure not to over-share. Keep your answers short and concise. Speak clearly and with meaning. You don’t need to use big words in your interview. Just speak to what you know and be yourself. Always Ask Questions Every interview ends with “Do you have any questions for me?” Yes, you should have questions. Write them down beforehand in your notebook and jot down additional questions as they come to mind during the interview. Here are a few that you’ll definitely want to ask: • “Do you have any doubts about Remember that making a good first impression starts when you drive into the parking lot, so be friendly to everyone you see and meet. 16 | JUNE 2021 | INNOVATE