How to Prepare for a Job Interview in 8 Steps

How to prepare for a job interview? If you care about this issue, then at this moment you have mixed emotions: joy and glee that you are a step closer to getting the desirable job, and confusion and anxiety about the upcoming interview.

Don’t panic. Right now you need to focus on one thing: it is interview preparation. 

This article provides 8 easy steps to help you prepare for a job interview.

What Does Interview Preparation Mean?

First of all, preparing for a job interview involves:

• detailed study of the requirements specified in the vacancy description;
• then you need to understand how your professional experience, skills, and goals match these requirements.

In addition, you should do simple, but mandatory and important things before an interview. 

How to Prepare for a Job Interview in 8 Steps

Step 1. Review the Job Description

In the job description, the employer often indicates candidates’ requirements for the vacant position. It can be:

• work experience,
• skills, 
• knowledge, 
• education,
• qualification,
• personal qualities.

The more you meet the needs of the employer, the higher your chances of getting a job. After all, in the eyes of the interviewer, you will look like an ideal candidate.

In addition, the job description helps you understand and anticipate what you will be asked at the interview.

Sometimes the employer may also write the job duties. 

Based on all this information, you can conclude for yourself whether your skills, experience, and qualifications match the vacant position and whether this job is right for you.

Step 2. Why Should You Be Hired?

Before going to an interview, you must answer 2 questions: why do you need this job, and why are you suitable for this position? 

You must be prepared to demonstrate to the employer your interest in getting the job and to prove why he should choose you.

Read post “Why Should We Hire You: 7 Best Answers to the Interview Question.”

Step 3. How to Prepare for a Job Interview: Company Research

Gathering and studying information about the company (in which you may work in the future) is a very important stage in preparing for an interview.

Why Do You Need to Research the Company? 

Firstly, company research will give you a significant advantage over other job seekers: you will know what the employer expects from you, what professional qualities to focus on, and what questions to ask in an interview.

Secondly, you will feel more confident and calm, and therefore you will be able to express yourself from the best side.

So, here’s what you should know about the company before you go to the interview:

• A product or service that a company produces/provides. 

You do not need to know all the technical details about how a company’s product or service is made, but you should have a general idea and basic information about it.

• Corporate culture. 

You can find information about the corporate culture of the company on social networks such as Facebook or LinkedIn. Also, don’t forget to check the reviews of the company’s employees and customers on Google.

All this information will help you get to know the company from the inside: assess the attitude towards employees, the company’s values and priorities, and the atmosphere in the team.

• General information about the company.

Explore the company’s website, blog, or social media page to learn more about the company’s history, founders and leaders, major departments, and achievements.

• Competitors. 

You can find information about the main competitors of the company who are in the same industry. Check out their websites too.

In this way, you can demonstrate to the employer that you are as involved and prepared as possible.

Read the post “How to Pass A Job Interview Successfully: 17 Tips.”

Step 4. Prepare Answers to the Most Common Interview Questions

You cannot predict what questions an employer will ask you during an interview, but there is a list of questions that interviewers like to ask almost all job seekers. These questions are:

• Why do you want to work here? 

To answer the question correctly, you need to focus not on what the company can offer you, but on what you can offer the company, and why the employer will benefit if hiring you:  

“I believe that I have the necessary knowledge and skills which will help me achieve good results in my work, for example…”

“I think my skills are suitable for this position because…”

• Tell me about yourself. 

This question allows the employer to hear a brief, generalized story about your professional qualities, skills, experience, and qualifications, and also to understand which of these qualities you consider the most relevant for the position.

Read post “Tell Me About Yourself”: How to Introduce Yourself in a Job Interview, Sample Answers.”

• What are your greatest strengths? 

Focus on those strengths and skills that you need for this position. Tell the employer about your strengths, and what skills and knowledge you have as a professional. And don’t forget to mention your personal qualities.

Read post “What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Best Answers to an Interview Question.”

When you prepare for a job interview, be sure to note some examples from your professional experience:

“I prefer to work in a team, have strong communication skills, and am good at collaboration with colleagues. 

During my time at Company X, I had the opportunity to work on several technical teams. Most of my colleagues are creative people who love what they do and are good at performing various technical tasks. But this did not stop me from getting a promotion – for the last 2 years, I headed the technical department. During this time, I was able to increase the production capacity of the company by 20%.”

Read posts:

“10 Tough Job Interview Questions and Sample Answers.”

“Why Did You Quit Your Last Job? 10 Sample Answers to the Interview Question.”

Step 5. Prepare a Few Questions to Ask the Employer in a Job Interview

The ideal when the interview takes the form of a conversation: two people ask each other questions and answer them.

Of course, the main attention is focused on the candidate for the position: on his qualifications, professional experience, and skills. This does not mean that the employer does not expect counter-questions from you. After all, in this way you show your enthusiasm and sincere interest in getting a job.

So what can you ask the interviewer? First, about the position itself and job duties, about the company:

• “Could you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities that should be performed by a manager/economist/marketer?”
• “What qualities should an ideal candidate have in your opinion?” 
• “What are the biggest challenges in this position?” 
• “Does the company welcome the employee’s desire to get a promotion, and are there opportunities for further career growth?”
• “What are the company’s goals for the next 5 years?” 

Step 6. Prepare All Required Documents and Print Your Resume for a Job Interview

When you prepare for a job interview, first of all, you need to print 2-3 copies of your resume.

You may need to give one copy to the interviewer, in case he (or she) does not have the opportunity or time to find your resume in electronic format.

And the second copy of your resume will be useful to you to follow the questions coming from the employer about the information which is indicated in your resume.

In addition, there may be several interviewers, or you may be invited for an interview directly with the company manager. And it will be great to have another copy of your resume.

If applying for a creative position, don’t forget to bring a portfolio.

Step 7. How to Prepare for a Job Interview: Plan Your Journey to Interview

To prepare thoroughly for a job interview, think about all the details:

• where will the interview take place;
• how to get to the interview place;
• what mode of transport to choose;
• how long does it take to get to the place;
• when do you need to leave the house, so as not to be late for the interview. 

If for some reason, you know that you will be late for an interview, the best thing you can do is to call and warn the interviewer. 

However, try to get out of the house in advance. You need to be in place 10-15 minutes before the start of the interview.

If you arrive ahead of time, this will also play into your hands: collect your thoughts, tune in to the upcoming conversation with the employer, and review your resume.

Step 8. Consider What You Will Wear to the Job Interview

When preparing for a job interview, decide what you will wear. After all, you can not make a first impression twice.

Of course, your outfit will depend on many factors: the specialty, the position you are applying for, the company/business/enterprises you want to work for, and the weather.

The most important thing is that the clothes should be clean, freshly ironed, restrained, and comfortable.

Advice for women: avoid excessive jewelry, open shoes, and bright makeup.

How to Prepare for a Job Interview: Why It Is Important

Of course, it’s hard to predict with 100% accuracy what questions you’ll hear from a potential employer. But you don’t need this. 

It is enough that you have a general idea of ​​how the interview goes and what awaits you. Then you will feel more confident and calm, and this sense of self will increase your chances of success.

Good luck!

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Image: flexjobs.com