Advice for winning interviews from FSM’s HR Generalist, Maegen Gallagher, SHRM-CP
Full Spectrum only hires the best – and as the HR Generalist here, I’m the first line of defense for making sure only the best join us. We seek talent with superior skills, experience and personalities that fit our culture.
I’ve interviewed hundreds of people in my time here at FSM. In just the last quarter, we received an average of 48 applications per posted position. Of those, I granted 14 initial interviews and only four second interviews. We hired three of those people.
I’m also a former dance coach, so I’ve overseen a lot of auditions. That means I’m very comfortable commanding a conversation, asking questions, getting to the heart of things and seeing past false fronts.
Here’s my advice for cutting through the clutter and getting your chance to shine in your dream job.
5 Dos and 1 Don’t For Making Yours a Great Interview
What made those 14 people stand out from the very crowded field of applicants who didn’t make the cut? They each did five very specific things that showed me their awesomeness. Plus, they didn’t do the one thing that reveals carelessness.
1. Research the Company.
Review the company’s website and social media accounts to better understand who they are and what they do. Study their staff, core values and mission. Memorize the name and title of the person who’ll be interviewing you (more on this later).
Then make sure all that research is evident in your application materials! Don’t let a boilerplate cover letter addressed to the wrong company undermine your efforts.
2. Come Prepared With Questions.
While you are the person being interviewed, it is important to interview the interviewer. Arriving with a minimum of two to three questions demonstrates initiative, curiosity and engagement. Avoid surface-level questions like: “What’s your favorite part about working at FSM?” or “How many people work here?”
Dig into the job description or company LinkedIn profiles to craft more personalized questions.
Solid, in-depth questions (that you can tailor to the specific job you’re applying for) include:
- Can you give me examples of people living out your Core Values in this workplace?
- How does the company recognize and reward ambition?
- What career development opportunities are available to your employees?
3. Dress to Impress.
When you show up to an interview, you should be the best-dressed person in the room. Take a little extra time with your appearance – clean and tidy hair and nails present a smart image.
It is better to be overdressed than underdressed, even if the interview is virtual or for a blue-collar position. Examples of appropriate interview attire include:
- A shirt with a collar
- Dark trousers, pants or skirt
- Dress shoes, like loafers, pumps or oxfords
- A blazer or suit coat
- Minimal or zero jewelry, perfume or cologne
- Suits and neckties are optional but memorable!
4. Be Intentional With Answers.
Answer each question in full, head on. Do not fluff or tiptoe around your response. Instead, prepare for thorough answers that explain not only what you did in other roles – but how you impacted the company you worked for. Translating your experience into expertise shows me that you understand your own value and can see how you fit into a bigger picture.
If you don’t know the answer – or can’t think of it right away – that’s okay! You can follow the “rephrase, circle back, follow-up” model:
- Ask the interviewer to rephrase the question.
- Ask to circle back to the question at the end of the interview.
- If you’re still unable to answer, ask if it is okay to email an answer after the interview concludes.
Also, no profanity. Occasionally, an interviewee will let cuss words slip. We can handle a little colorful language. But in excess, it’s unprofessional. We don’t want our clients to think we are disrespectful.
5. Show Your True Self.
Do not oversell yourself. If you get hired under false pretenses – then underdeliver – you set yourself up for failure. Your credibility diminishes.
Be honest about your abilities and ask about the expectations of the job. Your portfolio should demonstrate your specific expertise. But be sure to articulate how your work ties into results that came from it, like conversions or click-through rates or client retention.
6. Don’t Overlook the Details.
We have a saying here at FSM: “Take the 10 seconds.”
It refers to the practice of giving any work one last, thorough look-over to make sure everything is exactly as it should be before submitting it. The very first thing I look for is attention to detail – or lack thereof.
For example, my name has an unconventional spelling: Maegen. And I’ve seen all the variations: Megan, Meagen, Meghan, Miagan, Meggen, Megyn.
If you can’t spell my name correctly, you will not get an interview. If you have the wrong company name in your cover letter – no interview. If the grammar or formatting of your resume is wonky – no interview.
Take the 10 seconds to ensure the grammar and punctuation are perfect in your application documents, you’ve added a little personalized pizazz and you’ve correctly spelled the recipient’s name.
Because we do get an average of 48 applicants for every role we post. And that is only likely to increase.
Your interview starts when you hit “send” on your application materials – so take the 10 seconds to make an excellent first impression and win an opportunity to show your stuff.
