How to Nail Your Creative Job Interview

How to Nail Your Creative Job InterviewHow to Nail Your Creative Job InterviewDo you have a big creative job interview coming up? Whether its an in-person meeting or video interview, dont stress. Be prepared. Nail everything from the first impression to the final question with these five job interview tips.For most creative professionals, interviewing can be stressful. Organizations and hiring managers have unique ways of evaluating candidates, and it can be difficult to know what youre getting yourself into and how to prepare for each one. For example, should you wear a suit if you know the position youre interviewing for is at a bona fide jeans-and-hoodie start-up? How about connecting with your interviewers on LinkedIn before the meeting?There are plenty of things to keep in mind before you arrive, so here are five interview tips to think about as you head into that upcoming creative job interview.1. Do your homeworkShow up prepared by researching beyond-the-basics information abo ut the position and company. Dont just visit their website and social media pages search the company personenname so youre informed of recent events such as acquisitions or a newly appointed CEO. Also ask people in your network if they have any insight about the organization. Maybe a former classmate used to work for the company and can give you insights. Then, as relevant interview questions come up, strategically share your knowledge about the company.2. Be aware of your body languageYour nonverbal communication matters. Subtle cues, such as eye contact, facial expressions and posture, will affect how others perceive you. Do you tend to bite your nails or fiddle with your pen? If so, be aware so you can avoid distracting behaviors. Make sure youre coming across as confident, secure and capable. Demonstrate these traits bySmiling genuinelyMaking eye contactNot fidgetingSitting up straight (No slouching)And, of course, offering a firm handshakeSEARCH OUR CREATIVE JOB OPENINGS3. Tel l stories in the job interviewDont just tell the interviewer that youre an excellent front-end web developer or copywriter, show him or her by referencing real-life examples of the impact youve made. Share anecdotes that provide specific examples of how youve helped solve business problems. Describe the challenge, talk about your process and actions, and outline the final results.4. Ask thoughtful questionsThis is not the time to inquire about salary. (You dont have the job yet) Rather, follow the interview questions with some thoughtful questions of your own. Ask the hiring manager to describe an aspect of the job that might surprise you or what the teams process is for collaborating on projects. If you have a chance to meet with someone youd be working with, ask for their take on company culture or what their biggest challenges are. Such questions help reinforce your interest in the position and the company.5. Be yourselfThe key to making a strong first impression is to simply sho w the real you. Try to avoid rehearsed responses and fluffy jargon. Instead interact in a way thats honest and genuine. If you can somehow tie a hobby to the job requirements, like photography or youth mentorship, for example, it can be an interesting conversation point. Tags