4 Not-So-Obvious Signs to Look for on Your Next Job Interview
When job seekers receive the opportunity to interview for a position, the majority of their focus often centers on presentation. This is understandable. After all, you'd like to make a positive first impression on the potential employer.
An important factor of interviewing that occasionally gets lost, however, is that you are interviewing the organization just as much as the organization is interviewing you.
The next time you become nervous before an interview, think about this concept. It could act as a calming influence.
This is not to suggest steering away from the classic ways of impressing employers (tips here). It's merely a tip to take mental notes when you walk into the interview room.
Who said the potential employer had to be the only one conducting the interview? Here are four not-so-obvious signs to look for when interviewing with your next potential employer:
1. Facility upkeep
Is the facility clean? Take a look around at the appearance and condition of the workplace. It's healthy and more productive to work in a clean environment.
2. Equipment
You won't be able to look at everything, but take note of the equipment, especially if the hiring manager shows you around the department. Will you have the necessary resources to succeed in the position? You could also raise a question about equipment with the potential employer in the interview.
3. Other employees
Pay attention to the welcome that you receive upon entering the facility. Did someone at the front desk greet you? Remember, taking a look around at the employees does not paint a true picture of the company culture, but the way that the organization treats its guests could provide a glimpse into what the culture is like.
4. The interviewer
Naturally, you'd like to have a few questions prepared for the interviewer (tips here) when the time arrives. Don't forget about the little things, though. Was the hiring manager able to devote the entire time to interviewing you without becoming distracted by calls or requests from employees? If the hiring manager interrupts the interview several times and is bombarded by requests, it could be a sign of an unorganized and flustered workplace.
I provided only four not-so-obvious signs because that is frankly all you need. If you extend this list to 10, for instance, you wouldn't be able dedicate the proper amount of focus to the interview itself.
Look at these four signs as data points in the bigger picture of your job search. These four signs are not meant to judge an organization prematurely. They are meant to supplement the information you learn from interviewing for your next job. Keep them in mind when considering your next move.
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About the author: Eric Sorrentino joined Grantham University as Social Media Manager in October 2011. Prior to that, he blogged about Big 12 Conference athletics for KUsports.com and was a sports copy editor for the Lawrence Journal-World. Eric received his bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas.