March 6, 2020
On May 4, 2020, United Way and Fidelity Investments will host the annual Waukesha County Women’s Job Seminar, a free, one-day job seminar for local women looking to develop professional skills, find a job, or explore a new career.
Lori Bottoni of Enterforce has long supported United Way and the Waukesha County Women’s Job Seminar. A Human Resources professional, Lori shares her extensive experience with job interviews - both as interviewer and interviewee - and what she has learned along the way with attendees of the seminar.
Here are Lori’s tips to ace your next job interview:
Be prepared.
“You’re typically not going to be the only person interviewed for the role,” says Lori. “So to be a step ahead you really need to be prepared.
“Do some research on the company to find out what’s important to them. Visit their website to read their mission and values statement; these will clue you in to who they are and their culture. If you’re able to say ‘I looked on your website and this is what I found’ they will see you are doing your homework and taking this seriously.”
Lori also recommends preparing yourself to answer common interview questions: “You know they are going to ask you to give examples of your experience. Even if it’s not a job-related experience, everyone has something to offer. For example, if you’ve been a stay-at-home mom, you have good time management, patience, and communication skills. Have those ideas readily available.”
Be punctual.
“You have one shot to make a good first impression,” says Lori. “So it’s crucial to be on time for your interview.
You also want to dress for success - no matter what type of job you’re interviewing for. “I would always suggest wearing professional attire to an interview,” says Lori. “No jeans. This is a job interview - they want to see you at your best. That will help put you a step above the others.”
Be authentic.
“An interview is all about sharing your real life experiences,” says Lori. “Be confident in who you are and what you have to offer. Being prepared (see tip #1) will help you feel more confident and relaxed.”
Bringing good energy to the room will help set you apart. “Be upbeat, smile, and make eye contact with interviewers,” says Lori. “If you show energy, they will think ‘hey, this person is really excited about this role. I like their attitude!’”