Here are a few things you can and should do to be prepared and rock the onsite interview:
- Take notes during the interview. This will allow you to keep track of conversations and then follow up with people and refer back to the conversations.
- Have a few talking points with you. Write down a few key thoughts in your notebook. Nothing crazy but enough to keep you on target during the interview. Think things like “Talk about project X”, “Ask everyone about corporate culture.” Get it?
- Show up early...but not too early. Try to get to the interview between 15 and 20 minutes early. Too early and you’ll feel awkward. Too late and you’ll be rushed. 15 minutes is the sweet spot.
- Ask for contact information, for follow up. You want to follow up with people after the interview, don’t assume you can guess their address or ask someone to forward a message for you. Get a card or write it down....and follow up later.
More later this week! Good luck!
Thanks for the tips, Jeff! I had always wondered about how early to show up. Usually I went for about 15 minutes. I always give more than enough time to find the place because I've had times when I've missed it and only got there a few minutes before.
ReplyDeleteIt's also good to know that I can take a cheat sheet too. I usually forget to ask for contact info, so that's probably what I would put on my cheat sheet. haha
"A healthy mind is an inquisitive mind." We also learn during interviews. It's not bad to take down notes. in fact fact you are showing to the interviewer that you really are interested. Thanks for these suggestions, Jeff. Asking questions are not bad as well. It is good boost in the conversation.
ReplyDelete