Interviewing is hard work. The job search is itself a job, and it sometimes feels like it will never end. It can be tough to keep your head above water, especially when you’re juggling the search for a new job with an existing role.
To ensure you’re making the most out of every interview, do these three things:
1. Research
The best part about job searching in the age of the internet is transparency. This is something that has never existed in the same way in the past, so be sure to take advantage of it. Use websites like Glassdoor, Salary.com, and Indeed to find out how much companies are paying. Look up reviews to find out what employees think of their workplaces. Read through the common interview questions for the company you’re interested in. Search on Google and the company website to learn about recent company news. Use LinkedIn to learn more about the hiring manager. The internet is an invaluable tool for job seekers.
2. Customize Your Application Materials
If you’ve been cranking out a high volume of applications every day, you may not have considered this. The more you target your application materials to the company and the particular job) the more you increase the likelihood a company will be interested in you.
It’s not hard to customize your job search documents. Start with your resume. Read the job description closely and ensure your resume highlights the same skills the employer is looking for. Customize your objective statement to include both the job title and the company name. Use a similar approach with your cover letter. Specifically mention the job title and company name and explain why you’re a perfect fit for this particular role.
3. Don’t Take It Personally
You’re not going to get every job you interview for. The higher you climb the ladder and the more specialized your skills are, the truer this becomes.
Just because you weren’t hired doesn’t mean the hiring manager doesn’t like you. There are a number of reasons why you might not have been chosen. An internal candidate may have been pre-selected. The job may have been put on hold. The hiring manager may have left the company. None of these reasons are about you.
When you’re rejected, you can choose to walk away unhappy or you can choose to build a relationship with the company. Very often, when you first interview with a company, they’re just getting to know you. If you stay in touch, you will increase your odds of being hired the next time they’re looking for someone with your skill set.
A version of this article originally appeared in the Memphis Daily News.
Angela Copeland is a career coach and CEO at her firm, Copeland Coaching.
