You’ve gone through the application process and successfully landed yourself a job interview, congrats! The interview might be for a great blue-collar role like a Welder, Warehouse Worker, Labourer, or alike.
Now, you’re getting ready to put your best foot forward when you meet the Hiring Manager at your interview. We’ve gathered our top tips to help you prepare for a blue-collar job interview, and what you can do to land the job.
Do your Research
You likely already started this process when you applied for the role. Researching the company and understanding the blue-collar job description, is the most important thing you should do.
Having knowledge about the company and role will give you a better idea of what to expect during an interview. It also allows you to demonstrate you are taking the interview seriously, and that you respect the Hiring Managers time.
Understanding the job description will of course inform you of what tasks you’ll undertake if successful. But, more importantly, it will allow you to reference specific criteria that you know the Interviewer is looking for. You’ll be able to speak to why you are well suited to the role and its specific requirements. Like your direct experience in a relevant task. Or your familiarity with and qualifications in a particular piece of machinery like a forklift, mentioned in the job description.
First Impressions Count!
You only get one opportunity to make a first impression. Prepare to make it count. There are a few simple things you can keep in mind to achieve this:
Be on time, or slightly early
Greet the Hiring Manager with confidence – eye contact, a friendly smile and polite handshake
Always be professional, regardless of what role or industry you are interviewing for. Even if you know the workplace might be a relaxed culture, use appropriate demeanour and language to present your best self at the interview
Dress appropriately for the role; a blue-collar job interview does not require a corporate outfit. But there is no hard and fast rule. Find our detailed tips on how to dress for a blue-collar interview here
Know Your Key Strengths
Don’t wait until the interview to answer questions. Get one step ahead and pre-prepare your answers to common questions like ‘What are your key strengths?’. But remember, your answers should be specific to the role. You’ll know what these should be once you’ve read the job description.
For example – maybe the job calls for someone with great attention to detail, and you know you have a keen eye for this. Be prepared to tell the Hiring Manager so. Maybe the role requires a team player, and you have plenty of experience working in teams. Make sure you have noted this prior to your interview, so you have a plan for your answers.
You may even want to prepare notes and refer to them during your interview. There is nothing wrong with that. It’s easy to forget things when you’re under interview pressure. Notes will mean you cover everything, answers questions effectively and show you have put time and effort into succeeding.
Think About your Questions in Advance
Questions show the Hiring Manager that you are genuinely interested in the role and what they have to say. But interviews are a two-way street, an opportunity for you to make sure you have a total understanding of whether this is the right job and workplace for you. Like your key strengths, you may want to write down some questions before the interview to make sure you cover everything.
Overall, if you’re well prepared with all the above, then the most important thing to do at your interview is take your time and remember your planning. The more prepared you are, the more likely you are to ace your interview!
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