What do you understand a job interview to be?

Some might say it is a professional meeting between the employer and potential employee. Others might think of it as a way for employers to determine if the interviewee is suitable for the job. None of these answers are wrong. It’s also important to mention that the job interview is also an opportunity for the candidate (AKA YOU!) to see if the job is a right fit.

This article will take you through the preparation of a job interview. How do we ensure that we’re fully prepared to tackle the nerve-wrecking interview process head on?

A job interview is the first formal point of contact between you and the employer. The purpose of it is to get to know the employer and the job, and also give them a chance to get to know you, beyond what’s written on your resume.

STAGES OF A JOB INTERVIEW

Job interviews take many forms. For example:

You might be examined in front of a panel of 3 or more people.
You might be asked out for an informal lunch.
You might have a quick conversation with the hiring manager while she’s multitasking between you and something on her computer.

Generally, job interviews take a certain ‘shape’:

ENTRY: You meet with the receptionist/aide to be introduced to the interviewer.
INTRODUCTIONS: You introduce yourself to the interviewer and make small talk for a few minutes.
JOB SUMMARY: The interviewer describes the job. They may outline the upcoming interview (for example: “this interview will consist of three parts…”).
INTERVIEWER ASKS QUESTIONS: You will be asked specific questions about your resume, experience, and personal qualities. Natural conversations may grow out of the answers you give, or this may remain a strict question-and-answer phase. This is the largest part of the interview.
YOU ASK QUESTIONS: ALWAYS have questions to ask the employer. It implies your interest in the job and effort in the interview.
WRAP UP: As the conversation winds down, you’ll be signaled that the interview is over. You and the employer will shake hands, thank one-another and part ways. Often, the interviewer will tell you when to expect a decision. Whatever you do, do not ask for the interviewer’s decision on the spot!

Why do you think preparation matters? How do you prepare? It can be tricky to put forward the best version of yourself, especially when it feels like there’s no time to prepare. As with any performance, the most important part of giving a good interview is preparation.

A politician doesn’t prepare his speech on the podium, and a musician doesn’t write their songs on the stage. So why would you make up answers on the spot for a job interview? By properly preparing, you’ll have a better chance of making a good impression.

SIX STEPS FOR PREPARING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW

If you follow these steps, you will be more confident and feel more prepared for the day of your interview.

Assemble a Career Portfolio

A career portfolio is a collection of materials showcasing your skills, abilities, qualifications and prior experience.

It may include:

Copies of degrees and licenses
Positive emails and thank-you letters
Samples of your previous work
An extra resume and cover letter tailored to the job you’re interviewing for

This is a useful tool to present at an interview because you can reference your materials during the interview in order to illustrate past accomplishments and qualifications However, don’t drop the portfolio right onto the interviewer’s desk—keep it on the floor next to your chair. Furthermore, your portfolio should be bound together in a simple binder and look professional.

Research the Company

No matter if the company is an enormous multi-national corporation or a small shop on the corner, you will benefit from learning more about them.

See this article to know about how to research the company.

Prepare to Answer Common Questions

Lots of employers ask the same questions during interviews, which gives you a chance to prepare answers to common questions.

Take some time before every interview to come up with good answers, click here to view these common questions and how to answer them.

In the days before an interview, you should look over these common questions and come up with answers that are relevant to the position you’re interviewing for. None of these are guaranteed to be asked during the interview but practicing them will nevertheless help you get in the right mindset. If you answer these questions, you’ll be far better prepared for any other questions the interviewer throws at you. Regardless, you should practice before each job interview, not just your next one.

Prepare Answers to Tough Interview Questions

See the article “The Tough Interview Questions”

Prepare to answer sensitive questions.

Sensitive questions are anything that you don’t want to talk about. Only you know what your sensitive questions are. Most people have them and they can change from interview to interview.

Sensitive questions might involve:

Incomplete education
Transportation to the job site or other logistics.

A good way to predict them thinking about: what are you hoping you don’t get asked about? What are you hoping doesn’t come up in the interview?

So, at this point, you’ve already prepared answers to the common interview questions. Now would be a good time to write down your ‘sensitive questions’, and craft good answers to them.

It’s worth noting that outright lying, making excuses, or blaming others gives off a bad impression. Nobody expects you to be perfect so be sure to give honest and sensible answers – it is a sign of good character.

Prepare Your Own Questions to Ask

At some point, you’ll be asked if you have any questions for the interviewer.

Don’t wait until that moment to think of questions. As mentioned earlier, you should always have questions to ask, otherwise it shows a lack of interest or understanding,

Asking good questions extends the interview. It gives the employer more time to get to know you and provides you with more information about the job so that you can make better-informed choices.

The questions you ask must be specific to the interview. Base them off of your occupational research!

Some ideas:

What does a typical day in the position look like?
What are the main objectives you want to see handled by this role?
Who else would I be working with, and how would we work together?
What long-term plans exist for the company?
What major projects will this company be tackling next?
Is there anything you want done differently from the previous person who held this job?