How To Prepare For An Interview

Reflect On Your Accomplishments

Now that you have a bit of an idea of what youll need to cover, spend a little time reflecting on your achievements. During an interview, youll want to show the hiring manager you have what it takes to excel. Typically, that means discussing a relevant accomplishment.

Ideally, you want to identify key moments in your career that showcase you as a great fit. As you reflect, write down the ones that stand out most and that show that you possess the skills and qualities you found on the job description. Those are the accomplishments you want to work into your answers.

What Did You Eat For Breakfast

The interviewer asks questions like this to gauge if you would be a good fit for the companys culture. Show some personality and humor, and be sure to answer according to whatever vibe that company gives off. My competition, you might say, with a laugh, and then reveal your fondness for the new Icelandic yogurt you found at Whole Foods.

Why Do You Want To Work Here

Interviewers often ask this question to determine whether or not you took the time to research the company and think critically about whether youre a good fit. The best way to prepare for this question is to do your homework and learn about the products, services, mission, history and culture of this workplace. In your answer, mention the aspects of the company that appeals to you and aligns with your values and career goals.

Example answer:The companys mission to help college grads pay off their student loan debt resonates with me. Ive been in student loan debt myself and would love the opportunity to work with a company thats making a difference. Finding a company with a positive work environment and values that align with my own has remained a priority throughout my job search and this company ranks at the top of the list.

Read more: Interview Question: Why Do You Want to Work Here?

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Plan To Adjust For The Specific Type Of Interview You Will Face

Job interviews used to be conducted almost exclusively in-person. Obviously, that has changed in recent years, as phone interviews and video interviews have become far more commonplace. If your interview is conducted in any manner other than an in-person meeting, make sure that you know the best practices for doing well in that type of interview environment. These posts can provide greater insight into phone and video interviews:

Why Is It Important To Prepare For An Interview

Interviewing is a skill, making practice essential in becoming a better interviewee. Interview practice involves learning how to answer questions related to your role and studying them. For example, you might pair with a friend and allow them to ask you a series of questions. Doing this assesses how well you answer each question in the moment and how well you approach questions that are unfamiliar to you. Practicing is also a time to work on your posture, appearance and non-verbal communication such as how you use your hands in conversation.

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Body Language And Direct Eye Contact Are Key

Maintain a positive body language throughout the interview, speak clearly and in full sentences, smile frequently and make eye contact. During questioning, sit upright, listen to the questions and try to answer as clearly and concisely as possible. Also maintain good manners with any staff member or interviewers that you might meet before or after the interview, or even during the coffee break, lunch or dinner. Don’t forget that while you are with any of the institution’s or company’s staff, you are being assessed, whether the setting is formal or informal.

You Should Know Who Is Going To Conduct Your Job Interview

You should know who is going to conduct your job interview. It is important that you are aware of their experience and qualifications, as well as their personality.

The hiring manager is the person who will be conducting the interview for a company. They are responsible for making the final decision on who gets hired and fired. The hiring manager has a lot of power in the company, so its important to make a good impression with them.

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Summary Of Money’s Guide On How To Prepare For An Interview

• Do your research – Leverage social media and platforms like Linkedin to look into the company and who youre interviewing with.

• Consider why you want the job – With the time we spend each day at work, see whether the position is something you can be passionate about, for more reasons than just a paycheck.

• Analyze your strengths and weaknesses – This is a tried and true interview question, so be ready with a well-though out answe thats both honest and is tailored to the position.

• Anticipate common interview questions – You dont have to have pat answers to every question, but having an idea of what may be thrown at you can go a long way towards feeling calmer and more prepared.

• Prepare your own set of questions – Its increasingly common for interviewer to leave a section of the interview open for questions from the potential candidate. While we provided a list of suggestions, think about whats important to you and dont be afraid to be creative .

• Watch your body language – Practicing in front of a mirror can alert you to any points you might want to improve on in your non-verbal communication.

• Practice with mock interviews – While you dont have to roleplay with another actual person, a lot of people feel more confident once theyve practiced a mock interview out loud.

• Dress for success – First impressions are hard to get over, so try and put your best foot forward with your appearance.

Get Yourself Into The Right State Of Mind

If you get nervous before interviews, it can help to remember that the employer almost certainly thinks youre qualified, or at least that youre very likely to be qualified! They wouldnt be interviewing you if they hadnt already determined that youre at least plausible for the job.

It can also help to remember that no one gives a perfect interview. The other candidates interviewing for the job arent giving flawless interviews, and you dont need to strive for that either. Your goal is just to give a good interview that shows why youd excel at the job and what youd be like to work with day to day.

It can even help to approach the interview as if you were a consultant. If you were a consultant meeting with a prospective client, youd explain your expertise, learn about the work that needs to be done, and talk about how youd tackle it and youd be talking as a potential business partner, not as a nervous job candidate waiting for the interviewer to pass judgment on you. The more you can think of an interview like that as a collaborative business meeting where you and your interviewer are both trying to figure out if it makes sense to work together the better your interview will probably go .

And if you really get nervous in interviews, try pretending that you already know youre not going to get the job . Sometimes lowering the stakes can lower your nerves and help you give a better interview.

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What Are Your Greatest Strengths

In your answer to this question, share your most relevant technical and soft skills. While it may feel uncomfortable to talk highly of yourself, remember that this is your opportunity to tell your interviewers what makes you a great candidateand they want to hear it. To answer, follow the formula below:

1. Share one to a few positive qualities and personal attributes:”Ive always been a natural leader…

2. Back them up with examples:”…Ive exceeded my KPIs every quarter and have been promoted twice in the past five years. I look back at those successes and know that I wouldnt have reached them if I hadnt built and led teams composed of highly skilled and diverse individuals. Im proud of my ability to get cross-functional groups on the same page…

3. Relate them back to the role for which youre interviewing:”…Ive also regularly honed my management skills through 360 reviews and candid sessions with my team, and I know continuing to build my leadership skills is something I want from my next role.

Read more: Interview Question: What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

What Else To Look For When Preparing For A Job Interview

Other important things to keep in mind when preparing for a job interview include

researching the company ahead of time, preparing your qualifications ahead of time, and having a few questions prepared.

Look up information about the companys history, products or services, and mission statement. This will give you a good idea of what the company is looking for in an employee.

Be familiar with your qualifications and experience. You should be able to talk about your skills and accomplishments in detail and be prepared to answer any questions the interviewer may have.

Have a few good questions to ask the interviewer. This will show that youre interested in the position and the company.

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Find Talking Points In The Job Description

The purpose of this strategy is to take a fresh look at the original job description and discover even more ways to present yourself as an attractive candidate for the position.

Write in response to these prompts:

• What originally inspired you to apply for the position?

• Which of the required technical skills do you possess and feel confident about, and which might you seek more training in?

• How can you connect details from your resume, cover letter, and the insights youâve been gathering from the strategies in this article to items in the job description?

• How can you describe these connections clearly during the interview process, depending on the type of interview?

Prepare To Talk About Specific Accomplishments

Most people go into their interview and make general statements and talk in very general terms. To set yourself apart, you want to prepare specific examples and talk about DETAILS. Facts, numbers and real accomplishments.

Hint: this is true on your resume also. Youll get far more interviews if you cram your resume with facts, figures and statistics instead of general statements like responsible for handling customer requests.

So when the hiring manager asks what you accomplished in your last job, or what you do each day, you should be ready to impress! This is not the time to hesitate or be unsure. Prepare ahead of time for this.

If youre looking for your first job without any work experience, then think about accomplishments in your academic career classes youve taken, projects youve completed, etc. Thats your most relevant experience!

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Why Shouldnt I Hire You

This is one of the most common difficult job interview questions. Like What are your weaknesses? it trips people up. A great response is to focus on something that shows youll fit into their culture. You shouldnt hire me if your workplace is overly corporate and buttoned up. I prefer a more casual environment. Another way to go is to be honest about the way you work best. You shouldnt hire me if your teams are micromanaged. I work best when I know whats expected of me and am trusted to deliver on that.

In the end, killing that all-important job interview is about forethought and preparation. At GetFive, we believe the key is having a consultative mindset, honing your storytelling skills, and practicing answers to curveball questions. With all of that in your arsenal, youll carry confidence with you into the interview, and carry out a job offer.

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.

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Ask Questions At The End

In the end you will be asked if you have any questions. Therefore, you should prepare some questions about the job, workplace, institution and personal development on the job. Even if the panel has covered most of what you wanted to know, ask a question that is relevant and thought-provoking. This can show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and really listening to the panel. To not ask a question may make you come across as disinterested.

Research The Company And The Job Position You Are Applying For:

Write down any questions you may have about either so you can ask during the interview. If there any requirement of the job that you are unsure of, you should definitely ask during the interview. It always looks nice when you go into an interview with intelligent questions. It shows you put effort into preparing for the interview. However, never ask questions just to ask questions. The interviewer will see right through that. Your questions should be genuine and relevant.

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Print Out The Directions To The Interview And Be On Time:

Allow enough time to get there and anticipate traffic. Its ok to be up to 10 minutes early, but no more than that. Otherwise, the interviewer may not be ready for you. Bring the phone number of your interviewer just in case you get lost or are going to be late. If you are going to be late, call to let the interviewer know.

Follow these tips and you will successfully know how to prepare for a job interview. Interviewers can tell whether or not a candidate has prepared for it or not and they will appreciate it if you did.

Practice With Mock Interviews

Once youve taken the time to perfect your interview answers, its time to consider a full-dress rehearsal. Ask friends or family to walk you through the interview process from beginning to end.

If no one is available to help you, consider hiring a professional career coach who can provide these services at a cost. Budget permitting, this might be the best option because theyll be poised to challenge you much more and give professional-level feedback that can go a long way in helping you ace your interview. A professional coach may also be familiar with different types of interview methods like behavioral interviews or the star method that the hiring team may use.

Start as you come through the door, interact with the receptionist , offer up a firm handshake, make steady eye contact and have a seat. Drum up some small talk, then, make yourself comfortable in the same way that you

To make the most of your mock interview time, you should choose a location that is not familiar to you, like a library or coffee shop. Ideally, youll wear the same clothes and conduct the rehearsal around the same time of day as your anticipated interview. Imitating most of the same conditions as your actual interview day is a great way to optimize your interview preparations.

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Anticipate Common Interview Questions

A quick Google search can help you come up with some common interview questions to help your interview preparations. Looking into the blog section of job hiring sites such as ZipRecruiter can also help you find the tips and suggested questions that employers look at before the interview. Theres no way to know which questions youll actually get, but knowing some of the more common ones can go a long way:

• Can you tell us about your background?
• Do you work better in a team or on your own?
• What are your salary expectations?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do you want to work for this company?
• Why are you the best candidate for this position?
• Where do you see yourself X years from now?
• What are your salary expectations?
• What motivates you?
• Can you tell me about a failure you experienced with a previous employer? How did you handle it?

The more you anticipate what will happen in your interview, the less anxious you are likely to be. Even taking a little edge off can help you appear more grounded and confident in your interview. Confidence is an attribute that potential employers and hiring managers look for because it can have a positive impact on your decision-making and work performance in general.

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Print Out Physical Copies Of Your Resume

Even though they have your resume on file, many interviewers prefer seeing a physical copy during the interview. Print several copies out before your interview in preparation for them to ask. Additionally, if they ask any questions directly related to your resume, you can immediately reference it to address their questions or concerns.

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