HOW TO PREPARE FOR A JOB INTERVIEW
1. Do some research on the business.
Take a few hours to study as much as you can about the business from as many different sources. Speak with individuals in your network to learn about current and former staff members; peruse recent press releases; and, yes, use Google. Examining a variety of sources can provide you a more complete view of the business, including any bad news, and prepare you to discuss your reasons for wanting to work there and how you can help them.
2. Get as much information as you can about the available post.
You must ascertain the interviewer’s requirements prior to presenting your qualifications and why you would be a fantastic addition. Fortunately, the majority of companies specify all the requirements for a candidate in the job ad. Return to the job description you viewed prior to applying, then. Which abilities and backgrounds are they highlighting? What issues needs to be resolved by this hire? You should highlight these points repeatedly during the interview.
3. If at all possible, give the company’s goods or services a try.
Try the product—preferably a few times—before your interview if it’s something the company you’re interviewing for sells that you can reasonably check out. Being a user yourself is the first step toward creating value for others who use the product, if you are employed. Additionally, it will demonstrate to the hiring manager your genuine interest in the position.
4. Get to know the interviewers (without coming across as ominous!)
Ask questions if you aren’t told who you will be meeting with during the interview. Find out what each interviewer does for the organization and prepare a few questions tailored to their function. You can inquire about their responsibilities, talk about recent developments in their industry, or bring up a hobby or interest they have outside of work (but make sure it’s something they’ve discussed in a prominent place, like their LinkedIn profile or company bio).
5. Find out what kind of interview you are going to, then adjust your preparation.
Inquire about the types of interviews you’ll be doing as different organizations utilize different formats. For instance, some employers may ask you to have one-on-one meetings with a number of different employees, while others may require you to show your resume or have many meetings at once. It is quite acceptable to inquire in advance about the interview format from the recruiter or HR contact. And once you do, you’ll find that taking the time to learn this method can really help.
Note: Review popular interview questions and interview techniques.
After that, you should practice certain interviewing tactics and prepare your responses to frequently asked interview questions using what you’ve learned.
Things About You
6. State your advantages for the position.
Even if you’re a seasoned interviewer, it’s crucial to take the time to consider which abilities, successes, and interview responses will most appeal to the interviewers for this position. Your capacity for management? Your originality? Review your study to see what qualifies you the best.
7. Prepare to provide personal information with the interviewer.
You should be prepared with a “Tell me about myself” response specific to the position and business for every interview. It’s common for interviewers to begin with a question along these lines, such as “Walk me through your resume,” so you want to make sure you’re off to a good start.
8. Explain your motivation for applying to this company and the role.
You’ll probably be asked why you’re interested in this specific position and business. (And you shouldn’t be in the interview if you can’t respond to this question!) In order to ensure that you can respond, list a few salient features of the role and the company that excite you and fit in well with your interests, strengths, and/or working style. This can help you answer other questions more intelligently, even if it’s not a direct question.
9. Look into salaries.
You may be questioned about your wage expectations even if you’re not ready to have the money talk. Do some pay study to determine how you would respond in order to avoid being taken off guard and providing (or accepting) an answer that is far too low.
10. Get your tales ready.
The majority of interviewers will ask you at least a few behavioral questions, or inquiries concerning your past behavior or your hypothetical actions. You can’t prepare for every scenario that might be asked of you, but you can have a few anecdotes ready about previous jobs that you can modify as needed.
Research and Review
11. Become acquainted with the STAR technique.
When responding to interview questions with a narrative, you should always make sure the story is coherent and has a clear message. Giving the interviewer all the background information they require to comprehend what transpired while yet providing a clear and succinct response to the question should be your aim. Using the STAR technique is one approach to accomplish this. STAR represents:
Situation: Summarize the situation briefly, providing just enough information so that the interviewer will grasp the importance of the situation as well as the rest of your response.
Task: Discuss your involvement in the circumstance.
Action: Talk about what you did and why.
Result: Discuss the conclusion and your learning with the interviewer.
Note: Keep in mind that you may wish to slightly modify this format for some queries. For instance, before you leap into a situation discussing a time you showed leadership, think about what leadership means to you. However, using the STAR approach will guarantee that every story you write has a start, middle, and end.
12. Make a note of pertinent figures and information.
Remember to keep the numbers in mind! To demonstrate your impact, gather data on income, engagement, team size, budget, percentage of time saved, and any other relevant metrics. When discussing your duties and successes or responding to behavioral interview questions, bringing up some hard data really makes the point and helps you convince the recruiting manager of your awesomeness. To make them easier to remember during the interview, you can even put them in writing. (If you don’t deal with statistics, here’s how to measure your accomplishments.)
13. Review your interview techniques.
Although it matters a lot, how well you respond to interview questions isn’t everything. Additionally, interviewers are observing, whether consciously or unconsciously, how successfully you employ other interview techniques like empathy, small conversation, and active listening. With the help of these abilities, you may not only impress the interviewer but also offer them an idea of what it could be like to work with you as a colleague.
14. Rehearse your responses to frequently asked interview questions; do not memorize them.
It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with frequently asked interview questions, but don’t memorize your whole response. Instead, make a few notes or bullet points and save them for the actual interview. You won’t have to read from a script to make sure you cover all the bases. Practice answering them aloud while glancing in the mirror. This preparation will help you think more clearly and will put you at ease throughout the interview.
15. Consider your body language.
Review the meanings conveyed by specific body language. Make sure your posture and attitude convey the message you want to convey. Pay attention to what you’re saying. (For instance, crossing your knees and arms when sitting conveys a protective or closed-off vibe.) Plan out your moves in advance to avoid becoming distracted or annoying the interviewer. Consider how you’ll actively participate in the format if you’re being filmed. You could, for instance, place the Zoom window close to the camera so you’re not averting your gaze from the interviewer, or you could use nonverbal cues like gestures or facial expressions to indicate that you’re paying attention without taking away their microphone.
16. Take a stab at some practice interviews.
Practice some practice interviews with a friend or loved one if you have the time. After 100 attempts, you’ll know where to put your hands and how to sit, and you’ll be much more adept at responding to the question, “What would you bring to the position?”
17. Jot down the queries you plan to pose to them.
“Do you have any questions for me?” is how most interviews end, and you should most definitely have some. This collection of interview questions is a good place to start, but you should additionally prepare a few questions that are highly tailored to the position and business. Additionally, be more prepared than you think you’ll need to be; you don’t want to ask questions that have already been addressed or find yourself without a fallback if the interviewer covers your first two questions during the exchange.
The Final Preparation
Note: Prepare yourself by organizing the details of the interview and making sure you look your best.
After you’ve prepared for the interview’s subject matter, it’s vital to make sure you appear polished and exude confidence.
18. Decide on your outfit.
Uncertain about what to wear? If you don’t already have one, look through the company’s social media or Muse profile for images, and try to dress at least as professionally as the staff does.
19. Have a respectable and polished appearance.
Remember the tiny things. Ensure that your clothing is dry cleaned, steam-pressed or ironed, and, if necessary, altered (a modern fit is ideal). Check for loose hems, shine your shoes, and trim your fingernails. Go ahead and get that facial, haircut, shave, or even a new clothing for the interview if that’s what it means!
20. Make copies of your résumé on paper.
You should bring enough copies of your CV to an in-person interview so that everyone you meet with may see it, in addition to one copy for yourself.
21. Prepare a reference list.
Prepare a reference list, whether you think you’ll be asked for it or not. For each reference, include a name, title, organization, division or department, telephone number, and email address, as well as a sentence briefly explaining the relationship (e.g., “Carlton was my team leader for two years, during which we collaborated on four major product launches”).
22. Prepare your briefcase or folder in advance.
Your briefcase, backpack, or purse should be roomy enough to accommodate all of your daily necessities as well as the items you absolutely must have for the interview, like extra resumes and a notepad. You should also include a special emergency kit filled with supplies in case something unforeseen comes up (think: Band-Aids, a stain stick, an umbrella, and breath mints).
23. Determine your destination and the best route to take to get there.
Make sure you plan your journey in advance, including where you’ll park. Determine how long you should need to get there, then allow plenty of extra time in case there are any traffic or transportation delays.
24. Complete a cheat sheet for an interview.
To ensure you remember everything you need to know, make notes about what you want to ask and say, and make sure you have everything you need for the interview.
25. Obtain a restful night’s sleep.
Lack of sleep is one of the few things that can make you perform below par.
26. Remain composed and/or get excited.
You should prepare yourself mentally as soon as possible before the interview, if not immediately.
