5 Essential Tips for Preparing for a Job Interview

An interview is not something most people do very often, as a result, it is normal if you feel a bit nervous whenever you plan on going for one.

The main intention of applying for a job is to get employed. For this reason, it is expected that you do your best in ensuring that you get it. This can only be achieved with adequate physical and mental preparation.

Job interviews can be creepy at most times. They crawl up on you when you least expect it. The employer of a company undergoing recruitment you applied to might just reach out to you out of the blue, especially when you’ve given up hope on the application. Other times, you might as well be confident you will be called for an interview. Whatever the case may be, a bad interview will most likely not get you your dream job. For this reason, the importance of adequate planning and preparation cannot be underestimated.

1. Carry Out In-Depth Research on the Position and the Company

It is highly encouraged that you research and learn some things about the company you plan to work with before going for the interview. Going for an interview with no knowledge of the company and the position in question would only result in a disaster. It is highly discouraging. Of what use is a perfectly prepared resume without knowledge of the company and the position?

These are some of the things you should know about the company before the day of the interview:

• What the company does.
• What your position is all about.
• The product or service the company sells.
• Know who the president/CEO/owner of the company is, also matters. 

2. Prepare for the Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions

It is a fact that there is nobody out there with an iota of knowledge on what interview questions they will be asked, however, there are some common ones that are highly encouraged to be prepared for. Over the years, I’ve been opportune to be a recruiter, and I’ve asked these particular questions a countless number of times, which I believe other employers do too.

These are questions like- “Tell us about yourself,” “Why do you think you are a good fit for this role”, “Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years” and so on.

3. Brush up your Own Story and Experiences

At first, this may sound a bit funny, but getting to know yourself better makes a big difference. With the job description in mind, take your time to reflect on your experiences and make a list of things you’ve done that are significant and impressive. This is a very important segment, as it tends to differentiate you from other candidates.

Bree Bensley, National Marketing Manager of Narellan Pools has this to say when new recuirts are looking to join the team "we have a comprehensive approach to its recruitment, with detailed and relevant job ads posted in a range of places. As an organisation, we are all about providing opportunities for career growth, so we always seek to find and create career pathways for the right candidates." 

While highlighting your experiences that might be relevant to the job, be sure you remember every important detail as well as the end result and impact of the particular exercise or event.

4. Dress Appropriately and Look Smart

If you are the type that has carried out in-depth research on the company, you would have discovered in the process what the dress code is at the company. This is also a very essential aspect of the interview process, hence, ensure you are adequately prepared.

In a situation where the company isn’t known to indulge in a specific dress code, it is highly expected of you to dress appropriately and accordingly. A formal occasion demands a formal dressing. 

5. Go in with Confidence

The moment you applied for a job, it is assumed that you have confidence in yourself, that you know you have what it takes to get the job done. So, going into an interview with a trembling voice, inability to maintain eye contact, and not properly dressed, you are mainly underselling yourself.

The fact that you find yourself sitting in the lobby of the company waiting to be interviewed shows that your resume has been reviewed in the company, believed you have what it takes to get the job done, and felt you are worthy of being interviewed. The best way to repay this gesture is through adequate preparation which in turn boosts your level of confidence. Proper planning, they say prevents poor performance.