While many interviews are being held on Zoom these days, some still require an in-person meeting. There are many reasons for this, from the interviewer gaining a clearer sense of who you are to having a lineup of interviewers from the company, which makes it easier to meet in person. No matter the reason, you need to be prepared for this professional, face-to-face interaction.

How do you prepare yourself for the in-person medical sales interview? Here are some tips and ways to really stand out:.

Put on a professional outfit

The good news with interviews from home over Zoom is that you just care about the top half of your body. This means you can practically get away with wearing jeans or pajama pants, but the torso has to be dressed in a suit jacket, nice blouse, or something else. This is very different for interviews in person. You have to look professional from head to toe, and your shoes have to make the cut, too.

Conduct Research

Before an interview, you should do a little bit of research on the company and your interviewer. Why? Here are a few reasons:

Interviewer - It helps to have a basic idea of who your interviewer is prior to arriving. This will both help you feel more comfortable with them but also gives you something to discuss. So, when you went back to look up your interviewer on LinkedIn, you see that you both attended the same college, so you might mention this in the interview.
Company - You will actually learn enough about the company to prepare some questions to ask the interviewer. Additionally, you will read some interesting facts about the business that you can integrate into your answers, perhaps something like a new product they have recently developed, a company they bought or merged with, or other good things that you read. This makes you look learned and knowledgeable.

Print copies of your reference list and resume

It is always a good idea to have a paper version of your resume handy, so you can reference it during your interview. Your interviewer might also request one. Carry some copies of your cover letter with you as well as some extra of the reference list. Placing all these items inside a padfolio, along with a notepad and a pen, gives you a place to take down the notes during your interview, and it gives you that extra air of professionalism.

Get some questions ready for the interviewer

When you research the company that you will interview with, be sure to come up with a few of your own questions. Toward the end of the interview, you will likely be asked if you have any questions, and that's when you pull those out. Now there are some standards you should bring up, like "what does your hiring timeline look like," or "what's your hiring process," although it does help to have some company-specific questions to ask. This is where you can mention what you've uncovered in your research.

Sample Responses to Common Questions

There are several boiler plate questions that most interviewers ask. It includes "why do you want this job," "what can you bring to this company," and "which of your skills make you the best candidate for the job? " There are many others as well, and you should prepare your answers to all of them, in case. That way you won't end up having to produce responses on the spot, which can be particularly dicey for anxious individuals. Being prepared will make you more impressive to your interviewer and nail the job.

Make a Route Plan

The good thing about Zoom interviews is that you do not need to leave your home. You just log in onto the platform a few minutes before your interview, and then just wait for them to start the interview. Attending in-person interviews is somewhat different since you would have to travel to their location. It's always a good idea to pre-plan your route, looking for things such as construction and traffic delays. If you can avoid them, then you shouldn't have an issue arriving on time or early for your interview. Showing up late never leaves a good impression and really puts the interview off on the wrong foot.

Getting Ready for an In-Person Interview

Since you're stepping outside of your comfort zone, in-person interviews can be a little more daunting than those conducted over Zoom. Fortunately, you may handle the interview properly and create a great first impression if you prepare enough.