The Dos And Don'ts Of Interviewing - How To Prepare For Your Job Interview

Our mission at Industry is to make hospitality professionals successful in their careers. To further that mission we have put together a list of the dos and don'ts to help prepare you for your next job interview. Following this advice will greatly increase the chances of you landing the job that you are applying for.

Dos

Do your research!

You can do this by going to the company website, looking at the company social media, and reading the job description in detail. We also suggest that you look up the company that you are interviewing with on the news. If you are able to discuss current developments in the company during the interview then it will show that you care about the job. Also, based on your research, be prepared to ask questions about the company in the interview. 

Be prepared to explain your past experience. 

Be able to discuss your previous work experience and how it is relevant to the job that you are applying for. Make sure to that you have examples of your past work to discuss with the hiring manager. 

Bring a copy of your resume.

Bring a copy of your resume or print out your Industry profile. This will show the manager that you are prepared for the role. If you do not have access to a printer we suggest emailing your resume to the hiring manager in advance. If you do not have access to a word processing tool to make a resume then you can create a profile on Industry.co and send it to the hiring manager in advance. 

Dress to impress.

You only get one chance to make a first impression. The way you dress for your job interview matters. It is always a good idea to dress business casual for your interview. 

However, the way you dress may vary based on the role you are applying for. 

For example, if you are applying chef or cook job we highly recommend wearing a chef coat/shirt and to bring your knives to show that you are serious about working in the culinary industry. 

If you are applying for a manager job, we suggest dressing business formal. This standard may vary based on the company you are applying for. However, overdressing is normally not looked down on. 

Prepare your travel arrangements.

The worst thing that you can do is no show or show up late to a job interview. The company will likely not consider you again if you can't figure out how to show up.. Make sure to have gas in your car, the bus schedule figured out, or your ride coordinated before your interview. 

Smile.

Simple as that. Show that you have a personality and don't be dry in the interview. 

Show up early but not too early. 

Show up 10 minutes early. That is the industry standard.

Follow Up.

Follow up with a thank you email, note, or call. This will go a long way and will ensure that the hiring managers remember you. 

Apply online if requested.

If the company requests that you apply online via their website or applicant tracking system before the interview then make sure to do that. The reason why this is important is because if the manager is going to make you a job offer then you likely need to be in their system for them to actually be able to hire you. Many companies will not interview you if you have not completed the online application. You need to play by their rules. 

Prepare references.

Have a list of people that can vouch for your character and past work experience. If this is your first job, a great example of a reference would be a coach, teacher, or mentor. If you do have experience, come prepared with a list of your previous managers or co-workers that would vouch for you. Included in your list of references should be their name, their relationship to you, their phone number, and their email address.

Don'ts

Do not dress like a slob.

Wearing PJ's, wearing shorts, having uncombed hair, or smelling like you have not showered in a month is not ok. You are making a first impression. The way that you dress will show that you care about yourself and the job. Dressing like a slob is a red flag and the potential employer will likely disqualify you immediately for it.

Do Not Show up late.

We repeat. DO NOT SHOW UP LATE. People who show up late for interviews show up late for work. If you are serious about the job make sure that you have a transportation plan in place so that you can show up to your interview on time. If you have an emergency come up, contact your potential employer and let them know you are running late or reschedule. 

Lie.

Lying is never a good idea and if you do lie you are likely going to get caught. Most importantly, do not lie about your previous work experience. Your potential employer is likely going to reference check you and will find out if you are lying tot hem. 

Be Negative.

Specifically, do not talk negatively about your previous employer. Talking negatively about your previous employer in a job interview is a huge red flag for employers. 

Be Intoxicated.

Do not show up intoxicated for the interview. A beer to calm your nerves before the interview is a bad idea. The hiring manager will know. Not only are you not going to get the job but you are going to embarrass yourself and jeopardize your reputation.

Swear.

This one is for all of you sailors out their with a dirty mouth. Swearing in your job interview is a bad idea and a red flag because it shows that you have no common sense. .

Simple as that!

If you follow this advice you will likely land the job you are interested in and make a great first impression.