You’ve submitted your resume or application. Now what? Waiting around for the call to schedule an interview won’t help you land your dream job. Here are a few steps to prepare:

1. Listen to Your Voicemail Recording

Employers can either call or email qualified applicants to schedule an interview. If they decide to call, you don’t want them to hear the embarrassing “sorry I can’t come to the phone, I’m out with my friends” message you recorded in middle school. Make sure they will hear a professional recording if you miss their call.

2. Organize Your Email

Don’t overlook an important email from a potential employer because your inbox is a mess. File messages you need to keep or delete ones you no longer need. Then, make separate file folders for incoming information.

3. Clean Up Your Social Media

Most employers attempt to find the social media profiles of their job candidates during the hiring process. They want an inside look at your personality and to see if you are the right fit for their team. You want your profile to reflect maturity while also displaying some uniqueness. This is a first impression you can control; take it seriously.

4. Update Your Wardrobe

Make sure you have a sharp, business professional outfit to wear for when you get the call for an interview. If you don’t have an outfit you want to wear, this is the perfect excuse to buy one. Not sure what to buy? Check out our interview attire suggestions for women and men.

5. Find a Meet-and-Greet

Many businesses advertise open positions by setting up a booth at a job fair. If you can locate a fair where your potential future company will be, stop in and introduce yourself. Let them know what position you applied for and your name. If you give them a copy of your resume, it will be easy for them to identify you and think of you later. Looking through the National Job Fair Directory can help aid your search.

6. Consult and Practice

Practice makes perfect. There’s no real way of knowing exactly what will be asked in your interview, but consulting professors or other resources can help you prepare. Ask them for advice and see if you can do a mock interview. They can help you shape your answers to be the most impactful and offer you further insights into the industry.

7. Prepare Questions

Think of important things to ask your future employer. What is the most difficult part of the job? How is the team dynamic? What does a typical day look like? If you have questions prepared, it shows you care about your career and proves you are interested in their company.

Follow these steps to help increase your chances of receiving a reply and to properly prepare for your interview. Remember going forward to always smile, make eye contact, and have a firm handshake. Good luck!