So, you have secured an interview with your target employer and are excited for this once in a lifetime opportunity that has just been presented to you. What’s your next step to ensuring that you nail the interview and that the position is given to no one else but you? This article will guide you into doing the right thing which is preparation.
Job Interview Tips – Preparation Before
Conduct a background search of the company
What you should do in the background search is try to find information about the company or business’s history, services they provide, their clientele, who their competitors are, what the company’s mission is and any other information that could work to your advantage. Researching gives you an understanding of the company which makes answering questions a lot easier.
Have a full understanding of the Job Requirements
You should do your part in finding more information about the position you are interviewing for. Information such as the skills needed for the job and your ability to execute your duties as is required will help you prepare for the interview. This way, when the interviewer asks questions regarding the position, you will answer rightly and accordingly.
Get prepared for the interview questions
In any interview, there will be all manner of questions, from those that relate to the job in question to others that are unrelated. For example, you may be asked to prove how capable you are of managing situations or your skills, creativity and accomplishments. In this case, you may show proof of numbers and percentages achieved under your leadership.
Prepare what to wear in Advance
When you walk into that interview room, the first thing that the interviewer or panel will notice is your physical appearance. Make a lasting first impression by getting right your choice of clothes and shoes. Wear office wear which is well tailored and ironed. Men, ensure that you look well-groomed and as for the ladies, chipped nails are a no-no. Put on a pair of comfortable shoes. When you look your best, it boosts your self-confidence and employers like that in their employees.
Get to understand the interview format.
Ask your recruiter, what formats the company uses for interviews. Getting a sense of it makes you prepare adequately so that there are no surprises when the interview begins.
Prepare items that you will bring to the interview room
Prepare yourself with items such as work samples, references’ contacts, extra copies of your resume / CV, a notebook and pen. Extra resume copies may come in handy in case the interview is being conducted by more than one person. This way, the other person(s) will get the opportunity to go through it as the interview proceeds.
Arrive Early
Leave home early enough, keeping in mind that you may encounter traffic or other inconveniences that could make you arrive late for your interview. It’s always good to arrive minutes early. This helps you settle or calm down as you await to begin the interview.
Be clear how to describe yourself
You will most likely be asked to tell the interviewer about yourself. You could be asked what you’d consider to be your weakness or strongest attribute. Another question that you will probably be asked is why you are interested in working at the company. This would be your chance to convince them that you are more than qualified for the job.
Switch off your mobile phone
As you walk into the interview room, all attention will be on you. Your main focus should be participating in the interview without any distractions whether it’s a phone call or message alerts. Ensure that your phone is switched off before you are called into the room. Any distractions will send the message that you are not focused enough.
Read about the company’s reviews
Make use of the internet to read more about the company. This could be on the company’s blog or reviews from either current or former employees. Reviews will give you a sense of what the company is really like. They can also help you come up with questions that you can ask when given the opportunity towards the end of the interview.
Get information about probable interview panel.
Arm yourself with as much knowledge about the positions of people who are likely to interview you. You may meet several heads of departments, at the interview, with whom you may interact when the opportunity arises. Ask about their interests, goals or target to understand them and the company better.
Job Interview Tips – What to do During the Interview
Be mindful of your behavior and body language
Exchange a handshake with the person(s) interviewing you. Give a firm handshake and genuine smile. Ensure that you sit comfortably and as relaxed as possible. Your body language says a lot about your confidence so be sure not to send the wrong signals to your target employer.
Answer all questions with clarity
When asked a question, respond to the best of your knowledge and be clear in your answers. Explain in a way that the interviewer(s) will understand your point and don’t deviate from the topic of discussion.
Calm your nerves
You can do this by arriving early. Early arrival gives you plenty of time to adjust to being in the new environment. Take deep breathes and believe that you can do it!
Ask questions
Show interest in the position by asking for more information from the interviewer. These questions could be the employer’s expectations of the person filling in the position, their duties or responsibilities and about the company’s culture.
Be Pleasant
Interact with all the staff you meet well and treat them nicely. You never know who it is that you may have an impact on. If they like your personality, they are more likely to vouch for you.
Make notes
Make notes on topics discussed at the interview. It shows that you are interested in the process and that you are giving it all the attention it needs.
End the interview on a positive note
At the end of the interview, it is good to show that you appreciate your interviewer’s time and be thankful that you had the opportunity to participate in it.
