When you’re down to the final round those days or weeks between interviews can be a nail biting time. But what can you do to increase your chances of landing that dream job?
Why not follow our seven winning strategies?
- Decide if you really want the job. Think about the people you met at the first interview, the culture of the new organisation and how you would fit in. It’s good to be honest with yourself now. Would you like working with your manager? Is this a good career move? If you know you want it, you’ll be more likely to ace the final interview.
- Update your online profiles. If you want to seal the deal then you need to dot your I’s and cross your T’s. Make sure, says Parker Bridge recruitment general manager, Oliver Hawkley that your LinkedIn and other profiles say a consistent story about you. Recruiting managers are likely to Google your name and sift through anything they find.
- Get more testimonials. Upload testimonials to your profile, says Hawkley. The more relevant testimonials you can get the better. If your current manager knows that you are job seeking, then he or she can provide one. You can also seek out testimonials from clients or stakeholders, old managers, and colleagues.
- Research, research, research. This is the time, says Hawkley to read up more on the organisation that’s offering the job. Watch the news for announcements and hone your knowledge. This will make you shine at the final interview. The more you know the better. Make sure you know as much as you can about the people who are going to interview you. Check out their online profiles. There may be connections that you can highlight on the day.
- Reflect on the first interview. Think about what you did well at the first interview and what you could have improved? Was there something you didn’t say or could say better? Try to plug gaps. Ask yourself: ‘Will I be asked the same questions or new ones’? Either way it’s worth dwelling a while on each question from the first interview and writing perfect answers. Hawkley adds that you should work out what your value add is for the organisation.
- Prepare questions to ask and answer. Employers like it when you ask questions. The questions can also help you put the move into perspective. If you’re not sure what to ask, then Google the words “questions to ask at job interviews”. What’s more, think about the questions you might be asked. “What are the curly questions that could come up?” says Hawkley. It’s a good idea to practice the answers.
- Get the basics right. Make sure you know the name of the person who is interviewing you and his or her title. Choose something professional to wear on the day and make sure you take copies of your CV and any backup material that you need.
Finally, don’t worry if you don’t hear back about the job immediately. The organisation could be very busy or delayed in making a decision for reasons out of the hiring manager’s control. Get on with enjoying work and life in the meantime.
Think about what you did well at the first interview and what you could have improved? Was there something you didn't say or could say better? Try to plug gaps.
