Are you looking to get hired? Have you done interview after interview and had no luck?

Follow Climate People's 5-step guide to help you knock your next interview out of the park and land that dream ClimateTech role!

Step 1- Bring the Energy (pun intended)

The number one reason people get hired in today’s market is their ability to differentiate themselves from the competition. Now is the time to show your true environmental passion, your level of mission-alignment matters to these companies, and it's essential that you display that. You can get the point across in multiple ways — whether you chock the conversation full of industry stats or talk about your side environmental passion project — just ensure that you are fully selling your alignment with the greater environmental movement.

Step 2- Take an Active Role

Take an active role early in the interview process. It's key to remember that the interview process is as much, if not more, on you than it is the interviewer. Ensure that you're asking the hiring manager what they're looking for in the position. Their answer will give you a road map for the rest of the interview, craft all of your answers to fit the description that they offered. Remember that applying for jobs is more of an art than it is a science. It is on you to sell yourself and ensure that you're checking all of their boxes. Remember to do your homework and read up on the job description, the company, and the interviewer — all the answers they're expecting are given to you beforehand.

Step 3- Be Prepared

This one should go without saying. If you're interviewing for a job, you need to be prepared. First, know your resume and be able to talk through your relevant experience, projects, and skills. Practice all of this prior to your interview! We recommend that you create a mock interview for yourself and record all of your answers, you should then listen to the recording and revise. It's also always a good idea to practice your answers in front of someone else and get their feedback. Lastly, ensure that you have prepared 3-5 relevant questions to ask the interviewer. You can ask about the growth potential at the company, a new product or funding, why they came to the company, etc. Don't get stuck in the weeds with benefits, work-life balance, or PTO.

Step 4- No Money Talk

Don't discuss compensation. It's very possible that the hiring manager will ask you if you have any salary expectations. You can handle this in a few different ways, however, you should never give a broad salary range! If you do, you need to be prepared to be offered the bottom of that range.

Here are some suggestions:

• “I will entertain any fair and marketable offer.”
• “Money is only one of the many factors that I’m considering, but obviously I’m looking for the most competitive package possible, what do you think my skill set is worth to your company?”
• “I’m looking for a fair and competitive offer and think my skills are worth XXXX (state the high end of your range, without being greedy or pricing yourself out of the job).”

Step 5- Be Rememberable

It's essential to close strong. You know the saying "you only have one shot to make a first impression." Well, in the interviewing world, you only have one shot to make a lasting impression. As the interview wraps up, make sure to display how interested you are in the position (this goes back to step 1!). Ask the interviewer if they have any additional questions or concerns about your background as it relates to the position. This will give you a chance to address any concerns directly. Finally, ask them what the next steps will be in the process. Thank your interviewer for their time and always follow up with a thank-you email within 24 hours. Try to make your thank-you email as personable as possible, ensuring to reiterate key points from the interview.

If you follow Climate People's five steps to acing your next interview, you will show your potential employer that you're prepared, professional, and a great candidate. As always, we're here to help! Reach out if you're looking for your next role, need extra tips, or simply want to chat about possibilities.