An interview can be extremely nerve-racking. Why? Because you may have spent months on your job search to get an interview so it’s essential that you don’t mess up by not preparing enough.
With all of the interview prep tips out there on the web, we decided to cover the most important four. Let’s get started.
1 – Being Nervous Is Okay.
Being Nervous is normal. Try to relax as much as possible before the interview. We know. It’s easier said than done. Take a few deep breaths and try taking a confident approach, being a nervous wreck won’t show the interviewee your true personality.
We must also note that there is a fine line between taking a confident approach and being arrogant, so be careful. It’s okay to take a few seconds to think over the question. It is important to think about what you want to say before you say it. Think about what you’re saying and don’t be too be too confident as it may make you seem irritating and cocky The best way to do this is by answering questions honestly and being yourself. Stay away from giving cliché answers and avoid being robotic.
2 – Prepare For Questions.
You can prepare for an interview by planning answers to basic questions like:
Why do you want the job?
Why are you a suitable candidate for this position?
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
What skills do you have that correspond with this vacancy?
The day before the interview, get the pen and pad out and thoroughly prepare responses to these questions. It’s also vital that you know your resume inside out. You should be able to discuss everything that appears on it in detail. Ideally you should know it from memory and be able to discuss it without having it in front of you. This shows perceptiveness, honesty, and professionalism to the interviewer.
3 – Researching The Company Is Essential.
Common interview questions employers like to ask are:
“What do you know about the company?”
“What do you know about this particular role?”
Having good background knowledge on the company lets them know how enthusiastic you are and how keen you are to get the placement. Being able to talk about your knowledge of the company and the role in particular will impress the interviewee and could give you competitive edge over other candidates. Preferably you should have knowledge on the company’s history, all aspects of the role, problems encountered with the role, etc.
4 – Manners Are Necessary.
Having great manners goes a long way. Don’t forget to use basic manners during your first encounter with your potential future employer. Greet with a smile and a firm hand shake, don’t slouch, speak directly and clearly, make appropriate eye contact, thank the interviewee for the opportunity, and be sure to share a few jokes as a sense of humor is helps add to your likeability factor.
As obvious as these tips may seem, they are also the most frequently forgotten. Be sure to remind yourself of these tips before each interview, we promise they won’t hurt!