How do you successfully interview and follow up with employers?

Before diving into a job application or interview, research is paramount. Tailoring your resume, cover letter, and interview responses to the employer's needs is essential. Explore their website, social media, and industry news to grasp their mission, culture, products, and achievements. Leverage your network for insider insights, tapping into current/former employees and mentors. This groundwork ensures you align with their vision and stand out as a candidate who's done their homework.

Delve deeper to understand recent challenges or notable achievements, focusing particularly on the department you're aiming to join. Beyond the company's official website and social media profiles, explore other resources to gain insights into its culture and work environment. Platforms like Glassdoor can offer employee perspectives, while C-level interviews, earnings call transcripts, and industry news can provide a broader view of the company's operations and market standing. Additionally, research your interviewer. Finding common ground, such as mutual interests, shared connections, or similar backgrounds (like the same hometown or college), can help establish rapport and make your interaction more memorable.

Don’t stop at just the company’s website; use social media for a comprehensive view. 1. LinkedIn: Browse employee profiles for common skills and endorsements. Check out company posts for insights into their market positioning and values. 2. Twitter & Instagram: These platforms can offer real-time company updates and glimpses into corporate culture. 3. YouTube & Podcasts: If the company or its leaders are featured, this content can provide deep insights useful for interviews. 4. Online Communities: Reddit threads or industry forums can offer unfiltered views of the company’s reputation. By combining these resources, you’ll have a 360-degree understanding of the company, setting you apart as an exceptionally well-prepared candidate.

Researching the company's values and business model is of course important, but be sure to expand your research out to the larger industry, especially if it's one you're less familiar with. Reading up on their investors, the competitive landscape and even listening to recent earnings calls can help you further understand the employer's strengths and potential weak points.

Before the interview, it's essential to research the company and the position offered. It will give you a more informed view on the career decision, while also showing your dedication to the interviewer. Your interview responses will reflect your knowledge of the organization's mission and culture, showcasing your understanding of their objectives and your future contributions. By researching the position you are also able to determine the skills required which you can then confidently use to emphasize your relevant expertise. It's not just about meeting requirements; it's about understanding where you fit within the team and the value you'll be able to contribute to the organization as a whole.

In Denmark, it’s very uncommon to bring physical copies to the interview as Denmark 🇩🇰 is a very digitalized country. You might be asked to prepare a presentation or solve a case study and so then bring the digital copies requested the interview or send them online beforehand if requested. Preparing questions before the interview is good because it won’t only show that you’re interested, but shows that you did your research and to also find out if the company is the right fit for you and if you really want to work there.

Preparing for an interview involves attention to detail and thoroughness. First, ensure you have all necessary documents, such as permits, licenses, or certifications that the company explicitly requested. Neglecting this could be a simple yet costly mistake. In addition to the required documents, bring a printed copy of your resume and any relevant projects or achievements, even if not specifically asked for. These can be useful during the interview to illustrate your experience and skills more tangibly.

Preparation is key for interviews. Have all materials in order: resume, cover letter, portfolio, references, and more. Be versatile with formats—print, digital, online—matching the interview style. Ensure your documents are current and accurate. Craft questions for the interviewer, displaying your keen interest. By being well-prepared, you present yourself as a professional and dedicated candidate.

It's a great idea to prepare all of materials, as well as prepare for who you're about to interview with. If you have the interview panel ahead of time, it's a great idea to visit their profiles here on LinkedIn and take a look at their backgrounds. If you can find something in common with them, even better. This would be a great icebreaker during your time together. Interviewers love when you've researched not only the company, but the people on the team ahead of time.

One advice that i got from my mentor when I started out on my journey on finding a job was write everything down. What does this mean: I took the job description, all the research i have done about the company, then listed all the various skills and experiences I have acquired so far and match to what is being required for the role. Then added all the additional necessary documents that are needed for administrative purposes. This helped me to be more confident when going into interviews and know how to tell my story. Preparation is always key.

Interviewing is a craft honed through practice. Enhance your communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills beforehand. Utilize online resources like mock interviews, video recordings, or feedback platforms to assess and refine your abilities. Seek assistance from friends, family, or mentors for mock interviews and valuable input. Practice responding to typical interview queries—your strengths, weaknesses, aspirations, accomplishments, and role-related questions. This preparation boosts your confidence and readiness for the interview.

To optimize your interview performance, it's essential to refine not just your answers, but also your presentation style. Start by practicing your responses and stories, recording them to critically assess your mannerisms, speech style, and overall delivery. Engage a trusted friend or mentor to pose 20 varied interview questions, covering different aspects of your expertise and experience. Record these mock interviews to analyze your performance meticulously. Focus on areas such as clarity, conciseness, confidence, body language, and how well you articulate your value and experiences. Reiterate this process, refining your responses and delivery until they become natural and compelling.

1. Mindfulness: Use quick breathing exercises to manage nerves and sharpen focus before the interview. 2. Scenario Planning: Imagine different interview scenarios and your responses. This prepares you for curveball questions. 3. SMART Goals: Use the SMART framework when discussing goals to demonstrate thoughtful planning. 4. Post-Interview Notes: After the interview, quickly jot down key takeaways for future improvement. Combine these methods with your practice regimen to become a more versatile and prepared interviewee.

Consider honing your skills with a professional. They can give more concrete guidance as they have more knowledge about your skills, labor market and can train you on your interpersonal and/or intercultural communication skills. They can help formulate how to answer the questions that shows your value and the skills that you display to the company that you are applying to.

Interview practice is one of the most important (yet often dreaded) parts of a job search. I always tell my clients to distill their interview practice down to 6 or 7 "Interview Stories" they'd like to speak about during their interviews, this way, they're prepared for whatever they may be asked. Be sure to prep for some questions around why you're interested in this particular role and the company more specifically as well. Lastly, I recommend first practicing in front of a mirror or even recording your interview answers. Practicing with family and friends can work as a next step, but can also be tricky as their feedback may not be the most relevant or objective. Practicing with a mentor or former colleague may be more useful.

The way you present yourself in an interview is crucial. Opt for an outfit that's simple yet elegant, adhering to professional standards and cultural norms. Avoid strong perfumes or colognes, and ensure your shoes complement your attire. If you have a lucky watch, tie, or accessory that boosts your confidence, definitely wear it. This isn't just about looking good, it's about fostering a positive mindset and feeling self-assured. Your appearance can significantly influence your confidence level. When it's time to step into the interview room, do so with a smile and a demeanor that reflects your readiness and enthusiasm. This combination of professional attire and a confident attitude can make a powerful impression.

In Denmark, most companies have the dress code as business casual to the interview. Wearing a tie in most cases is considered too formal. For white collar male workers, a white or light blue long sleeve collared shirt with jacket, leather shoes and a nice pair of jeans (no holes) or chinos is standard and in style for most danish white collar workers. For women, there is much more flexibility. A blouse, skirt or nice pair of pants or jeans (again no holes). Most importantly, go to the company website or check out the employees profile on LinkedIn to see what they are wearing. It’s important to wear something similar to the company’s style of clothing to show that you fit into the company and that you could easily be one of them.

The way you present yourself in a job interview says a lot about your level of professionalism and attention to detail. Therefore, make sure your wardrobe communicates with you take the opportunity seriously. Opting for a professional and polished look will make a positive impression on your potential employer, showing you are respectful of the interview process and willing to go the extra mile. Remember, you want to look your best and show the interviewer that you're a professional who takes pride in their appearance.

Be sure to express excitement and gratitude for the interview in your follow-up note. It's also a great idea to keep the recruiter in the loop about any competing offers you may have as you're nearing the end of your interview process. One of the trickiest parts of interview follow-up is maintaining enthusiastic communication, while also timing any potential offers to land on more or less the same weeks of your job search.

Here are two more items to help you go from “good to great.” Create 5-10 personal stories relevant to the targeted industry and conduct a detailed breakdown of example questions to incorporate them. Ask for senior-level calibration and feedback on your answers.

Speaking negatively about your previous employer or colleagues during a job interview reflects poorly on you and damages your chances of getting the job. It creates the impression that you are a negative or difficult person, incapable of handling conflict or challenges in a professional manner. Emphasize your strengths, skills and achievements, and demonstrate your ability to work well with others in a team. By avoiding negative dialogue, you demonstrate your professionalism and positive attitude, which can make you a more attractive candidate for the job.

Remember that you're interviewing the potential employer just as much as they're interviewing you! So don't be afraid to ask the questions you need answered when you're given time at the end of an interview. Whether you have questions around career growth, how they handles conflict, or how they foster diversity and inclusion, ask for specific examples to help give you a more holistic picture of the company.

Another thing I find helpful is to practice your opening pitch, this will set the tone for the rest of the interview. Try to take soft control by asking an opening question such as, “Thanks for inviting me to the interview Mr Smith, May I ask what it was from my resume that piqued your interest?” Then write down the key points and cover them in the interview.