How to nail your job interview

A job interview can be equal parts exciting and nerve-racking. You’ve done your research to find the right fit for you and your career goals, submitted your application, and been invited to interview for the role. Wondering how to prepare? We’ve got you covered with some tried and true wisdom.

Preparing for the interview

The hardest part of the interview is often getting ready for it. Maybe you have the pre-interview jitters to work out or are unsure of what you’re getting into. The answer to both scenarios is “do your homework.”

Practice speaking about the information on your resume and past experience.

It’s your history, so you should be an expert. Be ready to talk about any and all aspects of your resume and demonstrate how you’re a good fit for the role. Go over your resume again and make sure you can speak to all of it. A good way to do this is use the STAR Method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Explain the situation, the task you were responsible for, the action you took, and the result achieved.

Research the company, the program you’re applying to, and have a few questions prepared.

You’re not expected to be an expert here, but you should indicate you have an idea of what you’re getting it. Visit the company site and read-up on the culture, the program requirements, and take note of any questions you have about it.

Having the interview

Be prepared for technical difficulties

Technical issues are one of the biggest things that trip up candidates. One way to avoid this is by signing into the interview 5-10 minutes ahead of the scheduled time. This will allow you to check that your audio, video, and internet connection are working properly and troubleshoot if they aren’t. Even more important when handling a tech issue: stay calm. Interviewers are people and understand these things happen. Communicate openly and do your best to find a solution.

Avoid distracting backgrounds

Find a quiet, unoccupied room with a door, if possible, to be sure there’s as little external noise as possible. Open windows or loud air conditioning are other potential distractions. For your background, make sure you have a clean, business-like background behind you. Avoid messy or cluttered areas or a lot of wall art. Background blur on many video call platforms can help too.

Dress for success

You may not be in an office, but it is still important to dress as though you were. Business-appropriate attire is essential. And that includes pants! Being dressed-to-impress and on video allows for a more personal, human connection which will help you succeed.

Choosing your interview questions

You’ve talked about your experience and now the interview has opened the floor for your questions. What are the best types of questions to ask? Ones that help you make sure the company is the type of place you want to work while also demonstrating you’ve done your research. Here are some examples to get you started.

• Can you describe the company culture?
• How long have you worked at AT&T and why do you like it?
• Based on my resume, what challenges might I have going into this role?

Questions like these both demonstrate your thoughtfulness and level of research into the position as well as helps you get a better understanding of what’s expected. The questions you ask do leave an impression of the type of employee you’ll be, but most importantly will help you gain all the information you need to know if a role is right for you.

There aren’t any “right” or “wrong” questions. The most essential thing is that you ask any questions at all.

Leaving a lasting impression

Looking for that little boost to push your interview over-the-edge? We also have some tricks you can use to help you standout.

Build a good rapport

Interviewers always remember someone they enjoyed speaking with. When the interview feels more like a conversation and you ask good, well-thought-out questions, you create a much stronger relationship with your interviewer. This increases the chances you stick in their mind long after the interview.

Bring the right energy

A candidate’s high energy personality or out-of-the-ordinary experiences always leaves a good impression. Just remember: “high energy” and overwhelming aren’t the same thing. It’s good to be passionate… just do it with your inside voice.

Make sure to be yourself, engage with your interviewer, and demonstrate how you’re the right fit for the role and you’ll be well on your way to a memorable interview.

Following up

You’ve nailed your interview and you’re feeling good, but you’re not sure about what comes next. The entire process from application to offer is typically 4-6 weeks depending on the program. Some of the more intricate programs can take a bit longer.

Your interviewer will give you an idea of a timeline and next steps and you can always ask for any clarification during the interview if you need it. Typically, it will be 1-2 weeks to find out if you made it to the next round of interviews or are getting an offer.

In the interim, you can always check the status of your application on the AT&T jobs portal or reach out to your recruiters via email or LinkedIn. When is it necessary to reach out? Usually after a week since the last communication.

With this guide, you’re all set for nailing your interview. If you haven’t applied yet…