How to prepare for a job interview: 6 top tips
Success! The employer likes the look of your CV and has invited you for a job interview. The next step is to demonstrate that you’re the best candidate for the job face-to-face. The key to performing well at an interview is preparation, so here are our top six tips to help you get ready.
1. Do your research
Turning up to an interview armed with a good level of knowledge about the employer, the job, and the industry will identify you as a prospective employee instead of just one more candidate. Spending time on research isn’t just about showing off what you know at the interview. This is also your chance to find out:
- whether the company culture is the right fit for you
- where the company is headed and how it might develop
- what employees are saying about the company
- what your career path might be within the company
- how the company is reacting to industry developments
Demonstrating that you’ve carried out your research shows the employer that you’ve gone beyond what is required of you, have taken the initiative, and that you’re enthusiastic about the job and the employer.
2. Consider the questions you may be asked
When you consider the questions you may be asked before you attend the interview, you provide yourself with an opportunity to build constructive answers that showcase your talents and experience. A good place to start is the common questions you may face, such as ‘why did you apply for this job?’ or ‘what are your greatest strengths?’. It may also be helpful to think of questions that are specific to the job, the employer, and the industry. Your answers should showcase your knowledge, skills, and qualifications in a way that reflects your suitability for the job.
One last consideration when building your answers is the ‘why’ and the ‘what’. Why has this question been asked, and what does the interviewer want to know that is relevant to the job you’ve applied for?
3. Make a list of questions you want to ask
At the end of the interview, you will generally be asked if you have any questions for the employer. This is a great chance to clarify what has already been discussed, demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job, and pull those extra details from the interviewer that you need to know before you can decide whether this is the job for you.
Your preparation for the job interview should therefore include making a list of the questions you would like to ask.
4. Know your musts and nice-to-haves
Before you attend an interview, it’s advisable to have a clear picture of what you need from a job. For instance, you might need:
- a specific salary to pay your bills
- flexible hours to fit around your family
- the chance to work remotely
These are the musts; they are factors that are essential and aren’t open to negotiation.
On top of these, you will have other working conditions that are ‘nice-to-haves’. They aren’t necessary but would make the job more attractive. These are the details that can be negotiated.
Knowing the difference between your musts and your nice-to-haves clarifies the working conditions that must be in place before you can accept the job.
5. Know what to expect on the day
This might seem like an obvious thing to say, but do you know what will happen on the day of your interview?
- What time is the interview, and is there any indication of how long it might last? What date will it take place?
- Is the interview in person or by video or phone call?
- If in person, what is the location of the interview and do you know how to get there?
- If the interview is by video call, do you have the right equipment, software/app, and a reliable internet connection? Do you know how to use the equipment and software/app? How can you guarantee that you won’t be disturbed during your interview or face distractions?
- Is there anything you need to take with you to the interview or send in advance?
- Do you know who will interview you? Will it be one person, two, or a panel?
- Will anything else happen on the day besides the interview? Will there be a test, for instance, or a tour of the offices?
All of this information should be included in your interview appointment letter or email but if there’s anything else you need to know, don’t be afraid to ask.
6. Look after yourself
Finally, look after your well-being in the days running up to the interview. That means getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, eating healthy food, and trying to reduce your stress levels. Of course, you should always look after your personal well-being but make an extra effort just before a job interview.
Wrapping it up
Preparing yourself for a job interview will not only improve your performance on the day; it will also make the experience altogether less stressful. Carry out your research, so you have a bigger picture of the job and the company. Think about what questions you might be asked and formulate your answers. Build a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer. Get clear on what you need from this job, for instance, salary and hours. Make sure you know what to expect on the day, and take care of yourself. It’s impossible to predict exactly what will happen at the interview, but if you put time and effort into preparing, you’ll have a better chance of presenting yourself as the ideal candidate.
Kent Recruitment Bureau thanks Fi Phillips of JobLookup for this article.
