How To Get An Interview In 5 Steps

The last story that I published was going over the things I have learned while having over 22+ jobs within two years: While I learned many things I think my biggest takeaway was this. — I enjoyed getting jobs & doing interviews, more than I enjoyed the position itself. — I want to share my exact method of getting interviews which has worked extremely well for me in the past.

I may have had a lot of jobs, but the amount of interviews i’ve been through is ridiculous. — I have been through all the emotions, interviews where I certainly wasn’t qualified, not prepared, to nervous, to exited. I have quit jobs on spot without a plan & received on spot hires the same day. (Not a brag, it was actually quite destructive behaviour)

But nonetheless, it happened, I cant take it back & I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. These are the things that I did with every single one of the positions that I had — Hope this helps!

1) First, Make A List (And Actually Make One)

If you don’t have a targeted industry you are looking to work in then make a list of at least 10 companies that you can apply to. There are hundreds of jobs available on sites like indeed.com & others like it, narrowing the search allows you to hone in on what you actually want in more detail.

Don’t spam apply. This method might work for some but speaking from experience, answering a call for an interview and having to say “Sorry, which company is this for?” Makes the applicant come off as unorganized & sometimes desperate. First impressions is the most important part of getting an interview.

After you have a list of around 10 companies that you want to apply to, the next step is arguably the most important.

2) First Impressions Are Everything.

This step might seem obvious, but truly it isn’t.

95% of the time an applicant will be instructed to submit their resume online.

Here is what I did. This works even better if you do it same day.

Apply online first, then take a physical copy of your resume and cover letter in person. Ask to speak to the manager (Do NOT hand your resume to an employee, if the manager is not in, come back later) So that when you are instructed to apply online you simply reply,

“I have actually already completed that this morning, I thought I would bring a physical copy of my resume and introduce myself to you in person.” — Even if they don’t typically accept resumes in person, they are more than likely to appreciate that you came in, in most cases they will take the resume.

You do this for a couple of reasons. First, when it comes time for the applicants to be contacted, your chances of getting an interview are higher then the others who did not complete this step of going into the location in person. Your name will be on their computer as well as on their desk. Not only that, if the manager does the hiring, they are able to put a face to your application, which normally isn’t done until the actual interview is conducted.

Which essentially means the first impression is already completed because well, you have already met. — First impressions can not be broken, so make sure your first impression is you introducing yourself, handing them a resume and informing them you have already applied online once they have asked. This will immediately show to any employer that you want the job enough to apply… twice.

As I said, this step might seem obvious, but it really isn’t as most of the time when instructed to apply online people do only that and wait for a response. There is nothing wrong with a little extra initiative.

Speaking from experience, this method is highly skipped but extremely important.

3) If You Don’t Ask, The Answer Will Always Be No.

I can not tell you how many times I have gotten an interview simply from asking the question “Would I be able to interview for the position?” then wait, the silence will force a response and the answer is typically yes.

If you really think about it — If you ask a manager for a interview & they straight up tell you no. Chances are, you should keep looking anyway. Managers should realize that the applicants that show the most initiative should at the very least have the chance for a longer sit down.

The chances of getting an on-spot interview are very likely if this step is completed on the same day that the second step is completed.

Talk about showcasing a good first impression and job interest… Applying online, in person, AND asking for an interview. If you were the manager, what would you do? not give them an interview because the applicant showed initiative and interest? I highly doubt it. Unless you made a bad first impression, the answer will usually be in your favour. — how you are in the actual interview will obviously dictate the outcome.

4) The Follow Up

If a few days go by and you don’t hear anything back, give them a call and once again, ask if you can speak to the hiring manager.

Say something along the lines of “Hello, My name is ____, I met you the other day when I came in and applied for the ______ position. I was wondering if I would be able to come back in for an interview?

Once again, say that sentence without interruption and wait for their response, don’t ramble on about why you would be a good fit, thats what the interview is for. — Simply ask if you can come back in an interview and wait, this will politely force them to respond.

5) Don’t Overthink, Just Do It

This is more or less advice rather then the 5th step in getting an interview, but in some ways this is essential to the whole process.

I promise, you can talk yourself out of anything if you think about it long enough. You tend to envision scenarios that A. Have Never Even Happened andB. That Over Accentuate The Negative Or Positive. But you will never know the outcome unless you try.