How to Prepare for a Job Interview

When the thought of jobs cracks into your mind something crucial enters, that is interviews: Since it’s the most important part towards acquiring a job, it is always important to prepare well. Most often, people take less serious the issue of preparation because they have not yet discovered the secret of securing a job easily is preparedness. Below is a summary of how to successfully complete a job interview.

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

The first thing you need to do is researching about the company, get to know about the background information of the company. Check their vision, mission and the company’s goals and objectives. Be sure to understand their objectives as this will help you answer some questions such as explaining how your values and objectives line up to those of the company. Also, make sure you stay up to date on the company’s latest happenings and events so you can congratulate them during the interview. You also need to understand the composition of the executive team and organization structure, check the composition from their high ranking, for example, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (Hansen) (Corfield). The understanding of the executive team will also help to know the chain of commands at the company. Besides executive team also learn about the line of business of the company, make an effort to check the type of competitors they have, what they do as they strive to compete with its competitors and employee satisfaction. Make sure you understand the cooperate culture such as their dressing code, their beliefs, and how employees interact with their leaders (Henry). In the process of researching more about the company be gathering questions to ask them. The reason behind this is that they might ask you if you have any question, which always come at the end of the interview session, prepare at least two questions to ask them that will demonstrate your interest and commitment as you strive to excel in the role (Corfield). Go through expected questions and prepare the responses for them, this will build your courage (Share). Secondly, understand job description and the responsibilities of the job you applied, it is important to keep a copy of the job description during the application period. Also, take time to understand your technical strengths and abilities in line with the job description. Thirdly understand what to bring during an interview. Job seekers should not show up empty-handed, consider taking a copy of; resume, cover letter, professional portfolio documents notebook and a pen (Cole). Practice on how you are going to conduct yourself during the interview session (Henry).

Dressing code is also an important part, on your research about the company go through their dress code either on their website, if not available you can reach out the recruiter. Once you have known their dress code dress neatly, ensure that you dress on clothes that make you comfortable as it will increase the level of your confidence (Doyle). Use perfume with minimal scent and be sure to have fresh breath as some people are allergic to some strong scents and will make them uncomfortable. Decide on what to wear one night before so that you won’t rush at the last minute (Doyle).

Lastly, appear on time, 15-20 minutes before your scheduled interview time to allow yourself time to get settled and familiarize with the environment and learn some things. Finally, shut off your cell phone.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

When you chance arrives, knock the door before you enter the room, give them warm collective greetings but if there are women greet them first, ensure that you maintain eye contact, smile as you offer firm handshake (Huhman). Always keep in mind that most interviewers decide on the fate of the interviewee in the first few seconds thus you strive towards impressing them. Once the interview has started, stay focused alert and attentive, make regular eye contact when they are asking you questions and when answering them, this will show your interviewer that you have good listening skills and you are active (Powers). Make sure you understand the questions being asked, take the shortest time to understand them, then be audible when answering them as you watch out body language. Understanding the questions asked is important as some questions look similar but require different answers, for example, why do you think you are the best? And why do you need this job? (Gausepohl). Stay positive even when talking about your past challenges and your previous employers. When asked about why you quit your previous job, tell them about you wanting to get other experiences or anything that will not indicate anything negative about them. Also, employers are not only interested in your experience but also in motivated individual, stay optimistic and confident as interviewers will also take note of that. When it’s your turn to ask questions, ask unique and company-related questions, it will show your interviewers are serious you are with your research (Cole) (Corfield). After asking the question, it will likely mark the end of your interview session. Thank your interviewers for their time, put a warm smile while thanking them before leaving the room.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

On completing the job interview make a summary of the questions the interviewers asked you and the answers you offered. It will help you in case of a follow-up interview. Also in your summary include those things you wish to have mentioned but forgot or did not get a chance. In so doing, you get a chance to identify and correct any problem your interview and improve on them in case of the side follow-up interview (Cole). Secondly look for contacts and send individual thank you note. It makes a good impression on your employer (Share). Lastly follow up with the hiring manager as soon as possible, preferably the same day by sending a follow-up email. Hence making the company remember you.

In conclusion, to complete a job interview proper preparation is the key factor that can easily land you into a job.

References

Cole, William Bill. The Interview Success Guide. 2012.

Corfield, Rebecca. Successful Interview Skills. London: Kogan Page Ltd, 1992.

Doyle, Alison. “Best Techniques for a successful job interview.” Balance careers (2018).

Gausepohl, Shannon. ”Interview guide.” interviews (2012).

Hansen, Dr. Katherine. Tell me more about yourself. 1990.

Henry, Alan. ”How to find out if a company is a cultural fit for you.” Lifehacker (2018).

Huhman, Heather. ”CEO Questions.” (2018).

Polk, Esther. ”Tips on how to successfully pass the interview.” Interviews samples (2017).

Powers, Dr. Paul. Job Interviews. Florida: Career Press, 2009.

Share, Jacob. ”How to Succeed in a Job Interview.” interview success (2017).

Snider, Susannah. ”How to ace a job interview.” Job interview (2010).