When does a job interview really start?
It’s a simple question, right? A job interview obviously starts when the interviewer asks you their first question.
WRONG!
A job interview starts much earlier than this.
When does a job interview REALLY start?
Remember that the purpose of a job interview is to evaluate your suitability for a job. If you are responding to a job advertisement the very first moment that you make contact with the employer is the moment that the evaluation process begins. Your first contact could be via phone, email, letter, social media or in-person. Once you have made first contact you are already being evaluated and the interview process has begun.
Beware – the evaluation process could begin BEFORE you even apply!
The use of social media platforms (such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn) means that employers can find information about you without you even realizing. In these cases, the interview process could have already begun without you ever having applied. If you are serious about finding employment, make sure that your social media accounts are marked as private and/or that they present you in a way that appeals to employers.
Why you NEED to know when a job interview begins?
It is important to know when a job interview begins so that you can prepare and present yourself in a way that gives you the best chance of getting a job.
For example, many people fail to include an introductory email when sending job applications by email, mistakenly thinking that they will only be evaluated on the information attached in their CV and/or application letter. The truth is that employers evaluate the entire communication. If you fail to include a relevant email subject or even worse simply FWD your application to multiple employers, then your chances of being successful are significantly reduced. The interview process has begun, and you will have been unsuccessful.
Your task
Think about job applications you have made in the past.
Did you ensure that you presented yourself in the right way from the start of the application process?
Review your social media accounts and settings to ensure that they present you in the best way possible.