Turn a new leaf with our top five interview tips this fall

Interviews can be a little nerve-wracking, whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned professional. With a competitive job market, nailing that interview can be the key to landing your dream job. At Northwell, we’d like to provide you with essential tips for both first-time and more experienced interviewees, covering both in-person and virtual settings. By following these tips, you’ll be better prepared and more confident, increasing your chances of securing the position you want and starting your new career journey, this fall.

Research the company

Understanding the company you’re interviewing with is crucial. Start by exploring the company’s website to learn about its mission, values, culture and stay up to date on recent news. This will showcase your genuine interest in the company and help you tailor your answers to align with their goals.

Pro tip: Go beyond the basics and look into the company’s strategic initiatives, recent projects and industry standing. Utilize the company’s LinkedIn page to find connections within the organization and learn about some of the experiences their team members have had with career growth and workplace culture. This deeper insight can help you better understand if this is a company that interests you as well.

Virtual Tip: Keep a few notes written in front of you during virtual interviews to refer to, if needed. This can help you seamlessly integrate your research into the conversation without appearing distracted.

Practice common interview questions

Familiarize yourself with common interview questions and rehearse your answers with a friend or family member. Prepare for questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want to work here?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Practicing these will help you build confidence.

Pro tip: While you might be familiar with common interview questions, focus on articulating your experiences and achievements clearly. Using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method, you can structure your answers to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and share successes.

Virtual Tip: Record yourself answering questions to evaluate your body language and tone. This practice can help you adjust your delivery for a better presentation during the LIVE interview.

Dress appropriately

Your appearance is the first impression you make. Always aim for wearing professional attire that aligns with the company’s culture. When interviewing, business attire is generally appropriate.

Pro tip: Even for virtual interviews, dressing professionally can put you in the right mindset.

Virtual Tip: Choose a neutral, clutter-free background for virtual interviews. Lighting should come from in front of you, not behind you – and a quiet environment with no one else in the room also contributes to a professional impression. Don’t forget to test out your devices before the interview begins to ensure your camera and microphone are working properly.

Ask thoughtful questions

Prepare a list of questions to ask your interviewer about the role, team and company culture. Your questions should reflect your depth of understanding about the role you are interviewing for. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Pro tip: Inquire about the company’s strategic goals, how your role would contribute to these goals and opportunities for professional development. This demonstrates your forward-thinking approach and genuine interest.

Virtual Tip: Keep your questions concise and relevant to avoid time lags that can occur in virtual settings.

Follow-up via email after the interview

Sending a follow-up email within 24-hours after the interview is essential to maintain momentum and show your eagerness in the role. In this note, thank the interviewer for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. Mention a specific topic from the interview that you enjoyed to make your email more personal and memorable.

Pro tip: Your follow-up should be more strategic. Besides thanking the interviewer, briefly summarize how your skills and experiences make you the ideal candidate. Highlight any new insights gained during the interview and how they reinforce your enthusiasm for the role.

Virtual Tip: Avoid attaching emojis, memes and photos in the email to maintain professionalism.

These tips can be helpful to significantly enhance your interview preparation and performance, in both in-person and virtual settings. By demonstrating your knowledge, confidence and genuine interest you can set yourself apart from other candidates. Incorporate these strategies and you’ll be well on your way to landing your next job opportunity.

Put what you learned to the test! Look for your next opportunity at Northwell Health today.