Elaborate
Consider the purpose of a job interview. The valuable first impression made by your CV has secured you time with the prospective employer, so the job interview exists to delve deeper into your skills, experience and goals. It’s also important for an employer to determine if there is a cultural fit between you and the company.
This is your chance to show examples of your work and talk about your strengths and achievements.
Do Your Research
Researching an employer is the best way to prepare for any job interview. Finding out as much as you can about the company is sure to impress them. Your starting point is their company website. This will reveal what type of work they do, give insight into the company culture and you may even be able to learn about their employees.
Read through any press releases which will give insight on the company history and growth. Make a note of what the company is currently working on.
It’s also valuable to investigate any company social media accounts – these include Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Your best source of information is another employee. Try to connect with someone who already works at the company. This knowledge will help you to answer possible questions which may come up during the interview.
Prepare
Know your CV back to front and find ways to marry your experience and knowledge with the questions that are asked. Be ready to reveal your strengths and weaknesses by providing considered responses to common questions such as ‘Why did you apply for this particular position’ and ‘Why do you think you will be successful in this job?’
An interviewer may ask you to give an example of a time when you handled a major crisis, or of a time when you showed initiative.
Stay Calm
Listen carefully and answer each question with confidence. There is a fine line between sounding confident and overconfident, so be friendly, courteous, concise and above all, honest. Prepare a few questions for the interviewer by using your new-found knowledge of the company. Feel free to ask relevant and insightful questions regarding the company and position you have applied for.
This will help keep the interview relaxed and conversational and show you have a passion for the job.
Presentation
Your responses are one way of assessing your motivation and attitude. How you present yourself at the interview is of the utmost importance. Dress smart. Arrive 10 minutes early. Know the name of the person who is conducting the interview. Remember to switch your mobile phone off before the interview.
These are just a few points which are indicative of how you conduct yourself in everyday life. The interviewer will take note of these and take them into account.
Follow Up
Once the interview is done, remember to send a thank you email the same day. If you’ve promised other information, such as references or samples of your work, be prompt in supplying them. Your note will improve the impression you left after the interview, making you stand out from other candidates.
In the end, you have much more to gain than to lose by writing a thank you note.
If you follow these steps you will certainly make a lasting impression on the interviewer. Even if you don’t get the job, you may just be considered for the next available position.
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