Preparing for an Upcoming Interview or Career Pivot? This Experienced Recruiter Has Advice for You!

If a recruiter could give you one piece of career advice, what would it be? For Zuri Johnson, a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Brivo, her top tip is “don’t be afraid to make mistakes and ask questions. That is how you improve and grow.” 

In fact, pushing past fear is a common thread in the advice Johnson has to share. For instance, when on the job search, she urges you to not be afraid of reaching out to recruiters or current employees via LinkedIn. “Taking initiative inspires confidence in your abilities as a competent employee and is very impressive to recruiters,” Johnson tells us.

And, for women who are looking to take their career to the next level, Johnson suggests not being worried about accepting an entry-level position. “Once you get your foot in the door with a company that is growing and will support your growth, you will then find the momentum and opportunities you need to excel within your career,” she explains. 

At the end of the day, not letting fear get in your way is key to growing into your dream position! Here, Johnson also reveals her top advice for interviewing, changing your career, and what you need to know when interviewing at Brivo.

To start, let’s talk about the interview. What’s your go-to interview questions for all candidates?

• What attracted you to our organization and the role? 

• What do you know about the company?

• What is one skill you have cultivated throughout your professional experience that you will take with you into your next role?

• What would be a reason you would leave the position/company if hired?

• What do you see as the next steps in your career and how do you think joining Brivo will help you achieve those goals?

What are your top pieces of advice for acing an interview?

• Always do your research on the company so you know what you’re getting into.

• Always ask questions. Questions can be about anything: from clarification on role expectations to company culture and team structure. 

• Set aside time to send a thank you note to Hiring Managers and team members who you have met throughout the interview process. 

On the other hand, what are your biggest tips for what NOT to do when applying or interviewing at a company?

• Have distractions during an interview! Try to limit the amount of distractions you have during the interview by finding a quiet place to take the call. Be sure your phone is on silent or do not disturb.

• Show up dressed unprofessionally. Even if the company dress code is casual, it’s best to dress up for your first impression. 

• Be late to interviews. Hiring Managers take out time from their busy schedules to meet with you. Show that you value their time and come ready and prepared.

What are the top three qualities that you look for when you’re interviewing a candidate for a role in your industry?

1. A growth mindset

   • Understand that your talents can be developed, you don’t have to know it all right now. A good company will foster your growth.

2. Teachability

   • We all have unique skills, perspectives, and experiences that we bring to our places of work, but it is important to remain teachable and look for opportunities to expand your knowledge.

3. Team-oriented

   • In order to successfully work in a collaborative environment being team oriented is a must. Our company looks for employees who are excited about our work culture and enjoy engaging with their coworkers. 

Moving past the interview, do you have any tips for women who are considering a career change and want to break into a totally new role or industry? How can they best make their application and skills standout? 

• Highlight any transferable skills: review your resume and make sure that you clearly represent how the tasks you are responsible for in your current role will be helpful in the role you are looking to move into.  

• Research the company and industry trends prior to the interview. This will demonstrate your interest in the field to the interviewer.

• Take classes, certifications, or training needed to elevate yourself for the new role.

• Come prepared with questions to ask at the end of the interview.

Finally, as a recruiter, what are three things about your company that you always make sure to highlight when talking to a candidate? 

1. Our rapid growth and emphasis on upward mobility

   • Our company’s customer base spans 42 countries, and we are continuing to expand rapidly. Our employees have many resources made available to them such as our internal training courses, mentorship, leadership training, and a professional development reimbursement fund for independent learning.

2. Our company culture

   • Due to our emphasis on ERG’s, employee development, and being able to uphold our unique culture, despite being mostly remote, Brivo recently became a certified “Great Place to Work” with a 92% employee satisfaction rate. 

3. Our discretionary time off (DTO) policy

   • Brivo values work/life balance and puts that value into action. Our employees have the luxury of taking an unlimited amount of paid time off. 

Fairygodboss is proud to partner with Brivo. Find a job there today!