Every interview is different, but you can prepare for success by following a few time-tested guidelines.
Practice makes perfect. The “Elevator Pitch” is a 30-second summary of who you are, your professional ambitions, and why you want to work at Spectrum. We suggest writing it down and rehearsing it until you feel confident and prepared.
Make a good first impression. Dress comfortably but appropriately for the workplace. (You can ask your recruiter for advice if you’re unsure what’s appropriate.) Also, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get to the interview location.
Body language says a lot. Eye contact, a pleasant greeting and/or a handshake are a few good ways to start your interview. You may be nervous, but it helps to breathe slowly, pay close attention to the conversation, and avoid fidgeting as best you can.
Bring backup material. Your interviewer should have your resume, but it’s good to bring an extra copy — just in case.
Tell your story. Try to answer interview questions with real-life examples when you can. It shows who you are and how you think. Be prepared to talk about your education, previous employment and additional relevant history, but also:
Difficult issues you’ve encountered and your solutions; examples of thinking “outside the box”
A time you stepped up to overcome a personal challenge
Something that made you work harder than you expected and what you learned from the experience.
Interview us, too. A resume doesn’t tell your whole story, and job postings don’t tell ours. The working group, the day-to-day, how long it takes to get up to speed, the timeline for filling the position: Preparing questions shows you’ve really thought about your future with us. Take notes if you want to remember specific pieces of information.
Wrap it up. Before you leave, make sure you thank your interviewer for their time. You can ask for their business card or contact information, which will be helpful for your next step.
Follow up. Sending a Thank You note shows your interviewer you appreciate their time commitment. It’s also a good opportunity to show you’ve thought about your conversation by referring back to what was said and expanding on that discussion.
Stay alert. Recruiters may contact you by phone or email. Make sure you check your inbox and voicemail so you don’t miss any opportunities.
For more information about the application process, check out our Applicant Experience page to see what you can expect when you apply to Spectrum.
