Landing an interview is quite a daunting achievement within the process of searching for a job but the work is not yet done. It cannot be underemphasised that appropriate preparation for an interview can mean the difference between being offered that dream job and being rejected. Below are the tips that will allow you to be fully prepared for the next job interview and feel quite comfortable.
1. Research the Company
Irrespective of the intensity of your preparations for an interview, get time to study the company you are attending for the interview. Know how and why it works. Visit the company's website, go through the latest articles, and watch or read the social media accounts. They include their products or services that they offer, gains that they have in the recent past, and losses that they might have incurred. This knowledge will not only assist in the act of answering but also show you are a real interested member in the company.
2. Understand the Role
First, give time to read the job description and all the requirements. Determine what is expected of the employee and what kind of behaviour would be expected from the employee. The regular trappings of enrolled universities include: Enlist and examine yourself against the following standards: How do your previous years' experiences match up to these standards? It is going to be useful if you are ready to provide some references taken from your previous work and speak of your achievements that will be appropriate for the given position. This will assist you in putting more lights on how you will support the company to achieve its goals and objective.
3. Prepare Your Responses
You need to be ready to answer questions that may be put to you at one time or the other during the interview. Practice answers to questions such as:A few of the practice questions that relate to such questions are as follows;
"The two most common interview questions can be summed up by the following questions: Some of the typical questions that the participant will be expected to answer include: 'Can you tell the people some little about you?
"It's like what; what have you got to bring to the table and what do you lack at?" "
'Then ask me why I would like to be working here?'
This is an example that illustrate a case of a difficult circumstance and how it can be handled to the optimum. "
While responding to each question make sure you use the so-called STAR technique; Situation, Task, Action, and Result. They also enable the answerer to give out appropriate and related briefs that therefore emphasize on your problem solving ability and your outcomes.
4. Produce Questions for the Interviewer
Interviews are not a one way process. Make a list of intelligent questions you would like to ask the interviewer. This also proves your concern in the particular role while at the same time making you be in a position to know if you fit the company and the position. Some questions to consider include:Some questions to consider include:
Generally a question that is posed to get a candidate to expound more about the specific job is the following question:
Thus, we'd ask, 'In this position, how would success be judged?'
"There seems to be opportunities for professional development."
'Can you give me information about the team which I will be interacting with?'
5. Practice Your Interview Skills
Perform pretend interviews with a friend or relative or with your career counselor. This way is also beneficial because you are able to get more familiarized with the interview process and even on some ways it may help you develop your delivery. Pay particular attention to the manner in which you sit, talk and the quality of your responses to the questions that will be posed to you. In addition, the feedback can also be gathered interacting with a mirror or, even better, videotaping oneself.
6. Plan Your Attire
Select business and formal clothing that coincides with the organisations sector. In case of uncertainty, then it is safe to dress formally for business setting. Make sure that your clothes are clean and do fit properly on you, and the clothes should indicate the kind of job that you are going for. This is so because dressing well comes in handy with regards to creating the right first impression and also increases one's self esteem.
7. Gather Necessary Documents
It is important to come to the interview with extra copies of your resume, cover letter and portfolio or certificates. These should be stored in a professional folder or a binder or preferably on a flash drive. Carrying any of these documents shows the employer that you are organized and have done your preparation well.
8. Prepare for Technical Aspects
If the interview is in a virtual format, check if all the technology is correctly set up. For example, make sure your Internet connection is fine, your camera and if you are going to use it – your microphone. Ensure that one is conversant with the video conferencing tool being used in the interview. Select a calm and brightly illuminated area of the room for the interview and try to eliminate possible interferences.
9. Review Your Online Presence
The employers in today's world tend to analyze the profiles of the potential candidates. Make sure you update the profile in LinkedIn and make sure it is relevant to the current status of your skills and accomplishments. Anything that could be interpretative in a wrong light should be deleted on the social media profiles. An advocate online presence helps to buttresses your fitness for the position.
10. Manage Your Stress
It is normal to feel nervous during an interview and hence controlling of stress is vital if an Interview is to be successful. Use relaxation methods including using deep breaths in the mouth or even imaging. Climb into bed early on the day of the interview and arrive at the interview venue or log into the virtual interview a few minutes early. This will assist you prepare your mind before you begin the interview so that you do not get easily agitated.
11. Follow Up
Last of all, I reckon it is always a good idea to compose an e-mail to the person with whom an interview has been just completed. In the first message of the process, the applicant should make the recipient feel appreciated for being considered for the post, express interest in the said post and finally in the brief part state why the candidate in question he/she is best suited for the post. A useful follow-up can either cement the positive image the contender has developed in the employer's mind amongst other contenders for a given slot.
Thus, when you apply the above ways, you shall be in a good standpoint of getting the interview you desire and making that all important first impression.
