So, after all your efforts to apply for a certain job, you finally got an invitation for an interview. Congratulations! However, this is, of course, just the first step. You still need to show your worth by doing a great job during the interview. Therefore, have you thought about ways to boost your credentials before your interview so you can make an even better impression? Here are a few ways to get you started and to make sure you can quickly boost your qualifications before you walk into that interview!
- Get certified
If you want to be able to show your credentials for certain skills or competencies in your field, get certified! Certifications are a great way to improve your credentials. So, look at what skills and knowledge of specific programs are required or desired for the job you are interviewing for and get certifications for these. Don´t just look at the job posting, also check similar jobs on, for example, LinkedIn. If the hiring manager didn´t include it in the job posting because it´s not a hard requirement and you can also get certified on the job, you might be able to score some extra points with respect to your competition if you did proactively check what is necessary or desired for the position.
- Proof you´re a lifelong learner
Apart from official certifications, make sure you can show that you are always on the lookout for opportunities to develop yourself both professionally and personally. Think about online classes, coaching, attending conferences or industry events, anything basically that provides an opportunity to improve your skills, keep your skills fresh and to stay informed about the industry. You can quickly boost your credentials if you can show that you are proactively looking for ways to develop yourself. Do some research on what type of courses could be relevant for the position you are interviewing for and see what is out there on the internet.
- Bring documentation to your interview
You might be surprised how often interviewers don´t have the right documentation in front of them at the moment of the interview. Either because they weren´t given your resume or application but were just asked to interview you or because they left it on their desk or something similar. And in today´s digital era, it might feel rather old-school to print all your things and bring it to an interview. However, it can definitely come in handy and will show that you are prepared. Make copies of your resume, your application, your reference list and recommendation letters to bring to the interview. What´s the worst that can happen? That they stay in the folder in your bag. But wouldn´t it be way worst if the interviewer didn´t have your documents in front of them and asks for them and you can´t give them?
- Become an expert about the company
Although you can´t really get certified in the company you are going to interview with, make an effort to become the biggest possible expert out there before you head to the interview. Read everything there is to read about them and take this as seriously as if you were actually trying to get a certification. These are the things that will help you stand out as well and will show that you are truly interested in working there.
That´s it for now, if you work on these 4 actions, you have a great chance to make a better impression at the interview and increase your chances of getting hired. Good luck!
What other ways can you think of to quickly boost your credentials before an interview?
