Job Interview Tips That Work for All Industries

Most of us shape our interview prep around the field we're chasing, and that makes sense. Still, a handful of habits carry over no matter where you're sending applications. Treat them as a base layer that sits underneath whatever industry-specific moves you're planning. Often these broader habits matter more than the specialized ones, because they set the tone for the whole conversation, and they have a track record of helping people land offers.

Walk in already knowing the basics about the company. Plenty of interviewers will open with some version of "so what do you know about us," and you don't want to be caught flat. You're not writing a dissertation here. Know roughly how long they've been operating, what they actually do, whether they're involved in the community, that kind of thing. People on the other side of the table notice when a candidate took the time, and it reads as genuine interest. If you can, call ahead and get the interviewer's name so you're not guessing when you arrive. The name is enough; you don't need their life story. Can't find it online? Phone the company and ask.

Aim to be there about twenty minutes before your scheduled time. That means leaving the house with a cushion, because traffic has a way of turning ugly on the one morning you can't afford it. Check for construction near the office ahead of time and figure out where you'll park. Worth confirming in advance whether parking in that area costs money, too, so you're not scrambling for change at the last second.

Match your outfit to the employer when you can, but business casual in black and white rarely misses. Black dress pants with a white dress shirt works for men and women alike. Women can go with low heels, men with dress shoes. Keep the hair simple and tidy; women should stick to neutral makeup. Carry an extra copy of your resume, a small notepad, and a pen. That way you've got what you need and somewhere to jot things down as the meeting unfolds.

As the questions come, tie your answers back to the company itself. Say they ask about your software experience. Describe what you can do, then add something like, "I noticed you're rolling out new software that's pushing your customer satisfaction numbers up." You get to demonstrate your ability and signal that you've paid attention to how the place actually runs day to day.

Follow up afterward. Some people call the thank-you note a relic, but it still earns goodwill. Email is probably the smarter channel now, given how quickly everything moves. Send it roughly a day after the interview, keep it brief, thank them for their time, and restate that you want the job. Nothing more complicated than that.

Keep these in your back pocket and they'll serve you across every interview you sit for. Once they're second nature, adjusting for a particular field is just a matter of small tweaks. Applying in healthcare, for instance? Run through all of the above, then steer the discussion of your background toward the things that set you apart in that sector.

Reference: Jon Youshaei, "12 Surprising Job Interview Tips," Forbes, October 20, 2014.