The best ways to improve your job interview skills

Q. I thought my interview went well but didn’t get the job. I’m dying to know why. Can I email them to ask so I can improve my interviewing game?

A. Sorry to hear you didn’t get the job, but it’s great you’re looking to improve. You can email them asking for feedback, but I’d set expectations low. They may be super busy, but more importantly, if they give you feedback, they should give every candidate they turn down equivalent feedback to truly be equal opportunity.

To improve, you may want to reach out to your alma mater’s career office — some offer to counsel to alums and ask them to conduct mock orientations. Someone in your family or a friend may also be available to conduct interviews by asking you most commonly asked questions. Take a video and watch it, tweak your responses but also look at your energy levels and confidence. With each progressing interview hopefully you will improve.

Q. I have an interview coming up and know I need to prepare questions — I can’t not have questions! But I don’t know what to ask. Help!

A. That’s great you’re planning ahead and yes, you definitely should have questions ready. Ask why the job is open — did somebody leave? Get promoted? Is it a new role (this is good — it shows growth).

Ask why they like working there — without saying it’s the people (they always say it’s the people, but you want to hear other answers like they got recognized and promoted, etc.)

You can ask what success looks like in the role — what is the growth/the career path? Where do they expect you to be in the role in terms of metrics and/or achievements in the first 60, 90, 180, 360 days? When does the fiscal year start, when is the annual salary adjusted, what was the last year increase? Is this position bonus eligible?

Those are a few to get you started, but feel free to take notes during the interview — maybe they say there are 8 regional offices throughout the country and you’re expected to travel to them. You can create questions during the interview such as asking how often you’re expected to travel, etc.

Remember, you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you so the more research you do online (you can ask about a specific recent news article, for instance, that may have alluded to lay offs or a merger — don’t be shy, just be tactful) and questions you ask and also observe from their culture, the better picture you’ll have to determine if it’s the right fit for you.

Vicki Salemi is a career expert, former corporate recruiter, author, consultant, speaker, and career coach. Send your questions to [email protected]. For more information and to subscribe to Vicki’s newsletter, visit www.vickisalemi.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @vickisalemi./Tribune News Service

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