How To Prepare For A Job Interview
Preparation is key to doing well in an interview. This cannot be overstated. To impress your interviewer and further get the job, you have to be ready. Your level of preparedness is equal to how satisfactorily you perform. What should you do before an interview? This article has a few ideas to get you ready.
- Make Proper Research on the role you are applying for: What does the role require? What tasks would be expected of an employee filling that position? Be firmly grounded in the duties and responsibilities of the position you applied for. Your interviewer would want to be assured that you can perform them. You cannot convince him of your abilities if you have zero knowledge of the job.
- Carry out in-depth research on the Company: What are the company’s ethics, work style, vision, and mission? What brands or products do they have in the market? What has the company achieved so far and what are they planning to do? What is the company culture? Check out their social media pages and website for details. The company could be recruiting because of an expansion in branch activities or because they are planning on moving the brand to the international market. Knowing this gives you an edge and you can convince the recruiter that if given a chance, you would easily blend in and work hard to move the company to greater heights.
- Read the job listing and requirements thoroughly: What assets and skill set does the company require? Look out for important words like ‘good communication skills, ‘tech savvy’, ‘loyalty’, ‘integrity’, and so on. Incorporate these words in your answers.
- Prepare answers to possible interview questions: In our 21stcentury world, the internet is brimming with information available at your fingertips. Read articles that give guidelines or samples on how to answer commonly asked interview questions. Then prepare your own answers and practice them. Possible interview questions include: What is your greatest failure and what did you learn from it? Tell me one thing about yourself you would not want me to know. Why did you choose this career? How would you describe your work style? How did you hear about this job? Why should we hire you? There are many of them and no shortage of answers but always remember to give an honest, prepared answer.
If the job interview explicitly states that questions related to the field are going to be asked, study like you have got a school exam. Whether it is an in-person or online interview, go through your CV or résumé and familiarize yourself with your past work experiences and education. Take note of dates so you do not end up giving off the idea that your credentials are fake. If you are not clear or sure of an answer to a question, you can ask for a little time to think about it.
- Practice: Even though it might sound a little weird, practice in front of a mirror, a friend or record your voice and play it back. Repetition leads to fluency and when you sound fluent, you project yourself as confident. Also, practice etiquette like maintaining eye contact and giving firm handshakes. Do not forget to practice greetings and salutations and even sitting posture. If your interview is online, practice looking into the camera.
- Be on time: Plan beforehand so you arrive at your interview venue early or log in on time if the meeting is online. If you do not know the place, get directions and check the location out days before the interview. If you need to travel, make early travel arrangements, book a hotel if necessary so you arrive at the venue looking fresh. If you are commuting to the venue, leave enough time for traffic or any other distractions. If you are driving yourself, make sure you have carried out the necessary checks on your car. If you are using an online meeting app, run a few checks like ensuring the app is up to date. Check your device too to make sure your speaker and camera are working, your battery is fully charged and your network connection is strong minutes or an hour before the meeting starts. Before the interview starts, position yourself in a conducive environment with proper lighting. Do not forget to clear the room of all distractions.
- Prepare what you are bringing to the interview: Have copies of your CV and any other credentials you need on hand. If you are giving a presentation, make sure your pitch is error-free and saved on your device. You can have a backup saved on a flash drive or a similar gadget. You do not want to be flustered when you cannot find your documents. Always double-check. You can never be too careful.
- Prepare your own questions: The aim of an interview is not to sound like a dummy and say yes to every question. Have a conversation with your interviewer. Do not just sit mute and nod your head to everything. Prepare likely questions you might need to ask like the pay package, a salary bargain, vacation and leaves, and other perks of a job. Ask questions on things you do not understand.
- Make small talk: Your interviewer might ask informal questions like how your day is going or how the traffic was on your way to the venue. It is understandable to feel tense before or during an interview but try to smile and give answers that are conversation starters and would ensure your interview sets off at a smooth pace. However, do not give too much information like spending 20 minutes talking about an accident that happened on your way or how the government has failed its citizens. Choose neutral, easy-going topics that will interest the interviewer and basically anybody else you are meeting for the first time on a formal basis. You could get a hint by going through their social media pages if you have the opportunity to know them before the interview. Do not ask too many personal questions. A simple ‘How are you?’ would do. Do not poke your nose into family affairs or make it obvious that you have done a background check.
- Pick an attire: Look the part. If you want to make a good first impression and a lasting one, your outfit definitely matters. Make up your mind on what clothes to wear, what hairstyle to wear, shoes and even a bag. An interview is a good reason to splurge on a good pair of shoes, a leather bag, or a fancy tie. Look neat and professional but be dressed to make a statement which is, ‘I am ready for this job’.
Preparing for an interview can leave you anxious or fraught with nerves. With the help of this article, you can make a checklist of all the things you need to take care of before the big day. Once everything is ready, all you need to do is walk in there and get that job. We are rooting for you!