The Importance of Preparing for Job Interviews
You’ve sent in your CV, you’ve passed the required tests, and now you’ve progressed to the interview stage! Congratulations, but the journey to getting a job is not over yet – in fact, the hard work’s just about to begin.
What to Expect From the Interview
Job interviews are two-fold: your objective is to get hired for the vacant position, while the employer’s objective is to screen various candidates until they find the most viable candidate. At its core, the interview will help both parties determine if they will benefit from this hire in the long term.
Reaching the interview stage means that the employer sees potential in you; as such, they want to find out exactly who you are, what makes you tick, and what you could potentially bring to the company if they were to hire you.
It may sound daunting, but by setting aside some time to prepare yourself, you’re assured of a great chance of acing the interview and getting an offer.
Helpful Tips
Keep in mind these tips before and during the interview:
- Do Your Research
To assure a potential employer that you can fit in at their company, you need to show a keen understanding of what the company does, their goals, their current standing in their respective industry, and so on. Getting and understanding this information can be done by gleaning the company’s website, press releases and social media accounts.
- Be Prompt
Arrive at least 10-15 minutes before the interview so that you can not only observe your surroundings, ie. what the workplace looks like in action, but also to collect your thoughts, douse your pre-interview jitters, and mentally go through your main selling points. It helps to do a practice run beforehand: find out where the company is located and determine how long it takes to get there using public/private transportation.
- Sell Your Skills
The job description details specific skills that an employer looks for in a potential employee. Draw on your past and present experiences to see if your skills align with these requirements. During the interview, explain at least three-to-five key skills that you possess and be prepared to give examples, such as: “I have great organisational skills, and I have used these to effectively delegate tasks to team-members.”
- It’s All in the Attitude
Self-confidence and respect makes itself known in both your body language and the way you speak. Whether you’re speaking to the hiring manager or front-desk personnel, it’s important to have a respectful, appreciative yet energetic attitude and maintain good eye-contact so that you make a good impression from the get-go. Simultaneously, be confident and upbeat in the way you answer questions – from explaining your accomplishments to telling them three key points about yourself – so that you sound as convincing and concise as possible the first time around without garbling or repeating your answers.
- Focus on the Positives
If the employer is looking for a problem-solver who can adapt in high-pressure situations, they might not look to hire someone who speaks negatively about their past/current employers who gave them a tough time. Avoid airing your grievances about your past/current employers – rather focus on speaking about the positive lessons that you gained from your experiences, how they have helped you grow, and how you can apply them to your next role.
- Carry Copies of Your CV
Keep at least five extra copies of your CV with you when you attend an interview. In the event that an employer has mislaid a copy of your CV, or if there are multiple interviewers present, you can hand these out and refer to specific accomplishments, skills, etc., as talking points.
- Make a Reference List
Try to make a reference list so that in the event the employer asks you to submit one before or after the interview, then it’s all ready to be submitted.
- Thank Them For Their Time
Follow up with an employer by writing or emailing them a thank-you note within at least 48 hours after the interview. Thank them for their time, as well as refer specifically to certain aspects of the interview that resonated with you – that way, it shows the employer that you not only paid attention, but that you also are genuinely interested in the position and the company in general.
Now You’re Ready for The Interview!
With these pointers in mind, your interview will seem less daunting and more like an exciting challenge. Good luck, and give it your best shot!