How To Prepare For A Professional Interview

Review Your Cv And Application Form

This translates into reviewing your skills, abilities and characteristics in detail and identifying those that apply to the potential future employer and job and also present them in a way that match their goals and needs. Imagine yourself in the actual position, what do you offer to the organisation? If you’ve reflected on this beforehand, it will make it easier to answer clearly and well during the interview. This gives an impression of good introspection. Try to remember relevant examples of applying similar skills in your previous job as it is always good to mention these during the interview.

It is of vital importance not to claim that you can do/know something that you do not. This is dishonest and it may ruin the whole interview process. Imagine that you state that you can speak fluent French and, during the interview, the panel decide to switch the interview language to French this will be a very awkward moment!

A poorly chosen email address, used for communication purposes in the CV and application form, can reflect on your professionalism. Keep it simple and select a professional-looking email address e.g. lastname.firstname@

Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years

Understanding how you imagine your life in the future can help employers understand whether the trajectory of the role and company fits in with your personal development goals. To answer this question you can:

Describe skills you want to develop and accomplishments youd like to achieve:

In five years, Id like to be an industry expert in my field, able to train and mentor students and entry-level designers alike. I would also like to gain specialized expertise in user experience to be a well-rounded contributor working with design and marketing teams on large-scale projects that make a difference both in the company and the global community.

Provide specific career goals including any dream roles or projects:

“Some of my future goals for the next few years include leading a design team in a formal capacity. Im also excited about the prospect of working with product and event teams on developing streamlined processesthis is a natural fit with my project management background. Id also like to further develop my skills in user experience to aid in creating more user-focused designs all around.

Read more: Interview Question: Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

Get Ready To Follow Up After The Interview

After your interview, you should prepare to follow up with the employer. Doing so reminds the employer of your conversation, shows them you are genuinely interested in the position and gives you the opportunity to bring up points you forgot to mention.

Here are a few steps you can follow when crafting a follow-up note:

• In the first paragraph, mention the specific job title and thank your interviewer.

• In the second paragraph, note the companys name as well as a conversation point and/or goal that seemed especially important to the person you spoke with. Connect that point to your experience and interests.

• In the final paragraph, invite them to ask you any additional questions and close by saying youre looking forward to hearing back.

Read more: Follow-Up Email Examples For After the Interview

Final tip: If you dont know the answer to a certain question, it is perfectly acceptable to pause for a moment and simply state, Let me think about that for a moment. The employer will appreciate you taking the time to give them a thoughtful answer. Be sure to provide specific examples wherever possible. Taking time to prepare for an interview will ultimately help you feel more relaxed and confident during the process.

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Use Professional Body Language

Because interviewing via video or phone limits the ability to communicate with body language, it’s important to use body language in a clear, professional way. For example, if you get asked an unexpected question, make sure remain poised and take a moment to collect your thoughts.

Sit up straight and ensure your camera is placed so your face is in the middle of your screen . In most interviews, you shake hands with your potential employer at the beginning and the end of the discussion. It’s an important body language cue that helps you establish the relationship. Instead, find other ways to greet them and exude enthusiasm, like smiling and giving a confident wave with eye contact.

Study Your Resume And Know Everything About It:

Any work experience or skills you have listed on your resume are fair game to talk about during the interview. Your resume is all the interviewer has to go by in order to get to know you. They may pick things out from it and ask you to elaborate. Even though you may have a previous job listed that was many years ago, the interviewer may ask you to explain what you did at that job and you are responsible for providing an answer. This is one step you absolutely wont want to skip on how to prepare for a job interview.

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What Is A Mock Interview

A mock interview is a practice interview that allows the interviewee to create effective responses, work on nonverbal communication skills and become familiar with interview settings. A mock interview can recreate any interview environment, such as in-person, phone or group interviews.

Anyone can be your mock interviewer, as long as they have a list of related questions and can provide helpful feedback. However, a career counselor or professional in your field would be the best option for a mock interview. You can also use a family member or friend, as long as they can offer honest advice.

Get Comfortable With The Setup

No matter what type of format or technology will be used, it’s a good idea to practice with a friend beforehand.

It often takes a few tries to get the hang of angling the camera so that your whole face is in the frame.

Youll want to find a flattering angle and practice making eye contact with the interviewer via the camera. Newbies tend to stare at the part of the window with their own video image instead of looking into the camera, which can appear odd, not to mention disengaged.

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How To Answer The Most Common Interview Questions

Are you ready to ace your upcoming job interview? One of the most important parts of interview preparation is being ready to respond effectively to the questions that employers typically ask.

Since these interview questions are so common, hiring managers will expect you to be able to answer them smoothly and without hesitation.

You don’t need to memorize your answers, but you should think about what you’re going to say so you’re not put on the spot.

Your responses will be stronger if you know what to expect during the interview and have a sense of what you want to focus on. Knowing that you are prepared will boost your confidence and help you minimize interview stress and feel more at ease.

Here are the top 10 interview questions employers are likely to ask, plus 100+ more common job interview questions, example responses, tips for giving the best answer, and advice on how to ace the interview.

Ask The Right Interview Questions

You never want your interview to turn into an interrogation. You also dont want it to simply duplicate the contents of your professional resume. An interview provides you with an opportunity to get to know the people youll be working for, and you should take advantage of this. Youre not there simply to get the job youre there to be sure that its a job you actually want and will enjoy long term.

Asking high-quality questions shows your would-be employer that you are paying attention and are engaged with the interview process. They also help to build up rapport. Good questions serve other purposes as well:

They create a dialogue that help you to get a feel for what working with the interviewer might be like, which is especially important if your interviewer will be your direct supervisor.

• They help you to clarify your understanding of what the company does and what your position will entail.
• They show that you understand the details of the interview and youre paying attention throughout the interview.
• They illustrate your ability to probe beneath the superficial and indicate a willingness to learn.

When thinking up questions to ask at your job interview, youll want to slant them in such a way that they build empathy and understanding of the employer. You dont want to ask obvious job interview questions that you could have solved with a brief internet search. You want to ask questions that make it clear youre envisioning yourself already in the role.

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Never Badmouth Any Previous Employers

Even if you have had enough with your previous job, you should never badmouth a former employer in an interview. If specifically asked try to keep your tone somewhere between neutral and positive and try to emphasise on what you’ve learned in that job and what you’re hoping to do in the future which will blend nicely with the new job you have applied for. On a similar note, do not talk negatively or disrespectfully about any person that you have worked for/with in the past. This is disliked by panellists and it may give the impression that you were the cause of the conflict or problematic relationship.

Having A Phone Call As A Backup Plan

If internet speed is problematic, you can start with video enabled, and have an introduction, and say ahead of time that you may be experiencing connectivity issues, but you wanted to be able to meet face-to-face.

Tell your interviewer that youll continue the interview with video so that the audio is as seamless as possible.

If Google Hangouts is problematic, have a backup plan like a call-in number through a phone, or a Skype or Zoom account.

It also helps to be able to foresee a need for this, and if the recruiter who sets up your video interview does not provide a backup phone number, you can request one for the call.

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On The Day Of The Interview

1. Punctuality

Create a good impression by being early. This way you have ample time to log in or to fix any connection issues that may arise beforehand.

2. Test all equipment

Conduct a trial run at least an hour before the interview. Practice your sitting posture and angle via the webcam before the interview to ensure everything is working. Repeat the same routine about 30 minutes before the interview.

3. Appearance and attire

Dress appropriately for the job you are seeking. Generally, business casual is the preferred choice. Although you may be seated, it is advisable to wear proper shoes, especially when you are required to stand and greet your interviewer online.

The right attire creates a good first impression. Dont forget to test how you appear on the webcam beforehand!

4.Avoid distractions

Be sure to switch off all apps or programs that could disrupt the interview. Put your phone on silent mode and switch off alarms and any other devices. Keep your pets away, too!

5. Body languageMaintain eye contact with the interviewer and smile when necessary. Look into the camera when you are speaking and not at the interviewers face on the screen and lean in occasionally. This will show the interviewer that you are engaged and not distracted by anything around you. Good posture is important to convey a positive image and keep your hands on your lap.

6. Speaking, Listening and Taking Notes

How To Prepare For A Video Interview

Are you preparing for a virtual interview for a remote job interview process? Heres how to prepare for a video interview, with Zoom interview tips, including what to wear to a remote interview.

Weve all been there: you get past the phone screen step of the interview process and now you need to find out how to ace a remote job interview.

Whether the company at which youre interviewing calls it a remote interview, online interview, video interview or virtual interview, you have to know how to prepare for a video interview because you need to pass this step.

If youre already on a daily schedule of working remotely or working from home, then youre familiar with how to stay connected while working remotely.

There are lots of ways to get some face-to-face time even when youre not in a traditional office.

These days, its more and more common to be offered a remote video interview as a first-round interview for a job in your city.

You also may experience first, second and third-round interviews for a remote job.

Helpful Tip

If youre looking for remote work for the first time, or looking for a remote side hustle, subscribe to FlexJobs for vetted and flexible work-from-home jobs.

No one said taking a remote interview is easy, especially when there are so many factors to navigate.

Helpful TipHelpful Tip

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Have A Backup Pair Of Headphones

In case noise-cancelling headphones die or decide not to work, have a backup pair of headphones nearby!

This has worked for me when Ive counted on my Airpods working and then they decide to act up.

So, I suggest having some old-fashioned non-Bluetooth headphones sitting right nearby for backup use.

I recommend the Apple headphones with the cords.

Do You Have Any Questions

This might be one of the most important questions asked during the interview process because it allows you to explore any topics that havent been addressed and shows the interviewer youre serious about the role. Remember that you are interviewing the company too. Take time to ask the interviewer questions about their own experiences with the company, gain tips on how you can succeed if hired and address any lingering questions you have. Some examples include:

• What do you love most about working for this company?

• What would success look like in this role?

• What are some of the challenges people typically face in this position?

• How important is it that you hire someone with XYZ qualities?

• Do you have any hesitations about hiring me?

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Ways To Make A Good Impression

As you’re preparing for the interview, think about ways you can show yourself in a positive light:

Prospects · May 2021

What Did You Do When You Disagreed With A Decision Your Manager Made

Explain how you professionally took a different position on an issue and what you learned from the experience. Begin with a brief statement to frame the rest of your answer. Include the takeaway or the reason for sharing your story, such as, I learned that its fine to disagree if you have data to back up your statements. Close with a one-sentence summary of your response. Or, briefly share how what you gained from the experience would help you be successful in the position you are interviewing for.

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What Is An Interview

You should consider an interview as the time to shine and to sell yourself in an efficient yet warm manner.

A job interview is essentially a meeting organised by a recruiter that is used to evaluate a potential employee for prospective employment. However, consider this meeting as a two-way process between the candidate and the interviewer. The interviewer wants to find out how well the candidate could do the job and fit in with their organisation and team and the candidate aims to show that they are the best person for the job and for the organisation but they also should aim to find out more about the work environment.

Job interviews are usually face-to-face meetings however, in recent years, telephone interviews and Skype interviews have become more commonplace. Interviews last approximately 45-60 mins, although telephone interviews may be slightly shorter.

Depending on the type of job you have applied for and seniority of the role, the interview panel may vary between three and 12 members. Usually, the more senior the job, the wider the composition of the panel.

After The Interview: What To Do

• Thank you Notes:
• It is important that you send an electronic thank you note the same day of the interview to the person with whom you interviewed. A handwritten thank you note using high-quality paper should also be sent within 24 -48 hours after the interview.
• Most interviewees only send an electronic thank you note. Writing a hand-written thank you will help you to stand out.

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