Congratulations – you’ve landed an interview. Now let’s boost your chances of getting hired.
There’s nothing like a good checklist to make sure you don’t forget something important.
It’s never been easier to find information about a potential employer ahead of time. Impress them by researching the company’s history, culture and past projects, and then use that information to your advantage. Your research can help you decide which aspects of your skills and experience are most relevant to the position, so you know what to highlight during the interview.
Take the time to study the job description and identify your most relevant skills and experience – and make sure you prepare specific examples to back them up. Maybe you have some experience that aligns with one of the company’s past projects? Mention it! And it’s not just design skills that are important. Architects need to have great communication and teamwork skills, so make sure you highlight yours.
It’s not just the interviewer who gets to do the asking. Preparing a few relevant questions of your own shows confidence and initiative. Does the company offer any training programmes? What are the day-to-day responsibilities? What are the most important qualities for the role?
Prepare a few sample questions and ask a friend to play interviewer. Are you speaking clearly enough? Making good eye contact? A test run can boost your confidence and make you more relaxed when it comes down to the real thing.
It’s worth putting in the effort to look as neat and professional as possible. “Dressing down” for an interview is not a good strategy – even if the company has a more laid-back work culture.
Punctuality is a sign of respect – and it shows you can manage your time well. There’s nothing like being late for your interview to create a bad impression in the eyes of a potential employer.
