Monday, March 25, 2024

What To Do To Prepare For An Interview

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Build Rapport With Your Interviewer

How to prepare for a job interview

Your interview is your opportunity to create a connection with your potential employer. While the interviewer will ask questions for the majority of the meeting, you can still use each question to turn the interview into a more comfortable conversation. Try to make a personal connection with your interviewer while remaining professional.

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.

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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Analyze The Job Posting

Reread the job posting and analyze it to determine what the employer is looking for in a candidate. Then make a list of the skills, knowledge, professional, and personal qualities that are required by the employer and are most important for success in the job. Be ready to describe the attributes that make you the perfect match for the job. The closer your qualifications match the job requirements, the better chance you’ll have of getting a second-round interview and a job offer.

Tips For A Successful Interview

How to Prepare for a Job Interview

A successful interview depends on various factors, from what steps you take to prepare to how you conduct yourself in the meeting. You may have multiple rounds of interviews before receiving a job offer, so it’s important to ensure you approach each one appropriately. Regardless of the type of interview you’re expecting, you can follow some general guidelines that will help improve your chances of impressing a potential employer. In this article, we review some tips that can help you achieve success in your interview.

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Powerful Job Interview Tips From A Recruiter: How To Pass An Interview

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If you think most hiring decisions are based on your experience and qualifications, then you better keep reading. Your resume gets you in the door, but how you interview determines whether youre offered the job.

This article will teach you proven job interview tips to help you pass a job interview and get the job you want. Heres what were going to cover:

  • Part I: Job Interview Preparation Tips everything to do before your interview
  • Part II: Interviewing Tips the best strategies to use during your interview to stand out
  • Part III: Tips for After Your Interview how to make sure you get the job offer after your interview is over

These are the best interview tips that I know, from close to 5 years working as a Recruiter.

After you finish this article, youll know how to stand out from other job seekers and pass a job interview a majority of the time.

Before The Interview: Practice And Prepare

Review the steps below and schedule a mock-interview with Career Services .
  • The interview atmosphere should be POSITIVE. Learn to articulate your strengths and weaknesses and emphasize the positive contributions you can make.
  • Prepare for Questions
  • The questions below are divided into two categories, traditional and behavior-based. You will recognize the difference between the two types of questions immediately. You will need to be prepared for both types of interview questions. The Student Career Development Office and the Library have several books and handouts containing additional interview questions.
  • Examples of Behavioral Questions
  • Be prepared to articulate your quantifiable strengths as determined by such things as skill, experience, and education. List specific examples and be able to tell brief stories.
  • Read and edit your cover letter and résumé. Be able to back them up. Bring multiple copies to distribute if needed during the interview.
  • Check your schedule to be sure you have nothing important planned in the next few weeks. You do not want an employer to reconsider a position because you have a vacation planned.
  • DO NOT arrive late! It is not acceptable to be late for an interview. Arrive early by accounting for traffic, weather, construction, loss in direction, etc.
  • Arrive with a smile on your face, good posture, and a firm handshake.
  • TURN OFF YOUR PHONE AND PUT IT AWAY. Even the vibrate setting can cause distractions.
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    Prepare A List Of Questions To Ask The Interviewer

    Before the interview ends, some hiring managers and human resources interviewers may inquire if there are questions you want to ask them. This practice allows them to assess your interest in and commitment to the position for which you applied. You may prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer in advance. Asking good and smart questions demonstrates your professionalism and may result in a positive impression on the side of the interviewer. Here’s a list of examples of questions you may ask during the interview:

    • What’s the most important function of this role?

    • If given the role, how do you measure performance and how often does it occur?

    • What does a typical day look like in this role?

    • What are the usual challenges for this role?

    • What opportunities will I have to grow and develop?

    • If given the role, what do you want me to accomplish for my first six months?

    • Can you describe the team I will be working with if given the position?

    • Can you describe the company culture?

    • Are there any office or company traditions?

    • What are the next steps after this interview process?

    Review The Job Description Carefully

    How to Prepare for a Video Interview

    It is important that you review the job description to understand what would be expected of you and so you can explain how you’ll be able to fulfill those expectations and be a good fit for the employer. You can use the job description as a guide because it will typically specify the required qualifications, experience, qualities and background that the employer wants in an ideal candidate. Familiarize yourself with these details and conduct a self-evaluation to determine if you qualify. The more you become confident that you are qualified for a particular position, the better your performance during the interview will be.

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    During The Interview: What Makes You Stand Out

    • Give the interviewer a firm handshake
    • Make good eye contact with the interviewer
    • Body Language:
    • Try not to fidget or touch your face or hair too often
    • Keep an upright posture
  • Be confident and energetic
  • Highlight your personality and sense of humor. Employers want to see if you will fit well with the companys culture and team.
  • Be honest and listen carefully. Be attentive to the question being asked so that you answer the question to the best of your ability. Stay focused on the issue at hand rather than on issues that may arise later in the interview.
  • Believe it or not, it is alright to admit you are nervous. Some interviewer may find this to be a relatable quality
  • Get Your Interview Outfit Ready

    The way you dress for a job interview tells potential employers a lot about you. The right interview outfit conveys an understanding of the company culture and professional environments in general and shows that you respect the hiring manager and want to make a good impression.

    Have an interview outfit ready to go, so you’re prepared to interview at a moment’s notice. Youll feel comfortable, confident, and ready to shine.

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    Research The Company And Industry

    We often hear from employers that candidates do not know enough about their companies when they interview. Employers gauge how interested you are by how much you know about their organization. This research is an easy way to improve your interview skills.

    Find out as much as you can about the position, company, and industry.

    • Learn about current trends and events that might impact your future employer.
    • Review the organizations website and social media activity.
    • Try to speak to people in the organization through LinkedIn, peers, faculty, or family to gain insider knowledge.
    • Make sure that you reread the job description and can communicate why you would be a good t for the position.

    Ways To Make A Good Impression

    Job Interview Skills to Help You Get Hired

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

  • Punctuality – arriving late will increase your stress levels and give the employer a bad first impression, so do your best to arrive in good time.
  • Positivity and enthusiasm – be polite and professional with any staff you meet before or after the interview and, if you’re feeling particularly nervous, remind yourself that the worst thing that could happen is not getting the job. During the interview, respond to questions with positive statements, be enthusiastic about the job and avoid badmouthing your previous employers or university tutors.
  • Body language – give a firm handshake to your interviewer before and after the session. Once you’re seated, sit naturally without slouching in your chair or leaning on the desk. Throughout the interview, remember to smile frequently and maintain eye contact.
  • Clarity – answer all questions clearly and concisely, evidencing your most relevant skills, experiences and achievements. It’s acceptable to pause before answering a difficult question to give yourself thinking time, or asking for clarification if you’re unsure what a question means. When answering, don’t speak too quickly.
  • Prospects · May 2021

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    Prepare Your Own Questions

    Another form of interview preparedness is having your own interview questions. You are interviewing this company just as much as they are interviewing you. Through your list of questions, you should aim to understand the company culture and if its a good fit for you. Common questions you should ask could be:

    • What are the expectations for my role and my productivity?
    • How would you describe the company culture?
    • What are you looking for in a candidate?
    • How would you measure the success of the person in this role?
    • What are some challenges I could expect in this role?

    Once your questions are answered, thank your interviewer and incorporate this information in the interview as you go forward.

    Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years

    This can seem like a heavy question during an interview, especially when you havenât prepared for it ahead of time. Keep in mind that youâre in an interview settingâso you donât need to go into all the details about what your personal life goals are for the next five years. Focus on your career goals and be realistic.

    If you plan to work at this company for five years, make sure you understand who would be working above you and what potential career growth there is. The hiring manager asks this question to find out if you set realistic goals, if you are ambitious, and to confirm that the position you are interviewing for aligns with these goals and growth.

    If this position isnât exactly a job with a lot of future opportunities, you can simply answer this by noting that you are not certain what your future is going to look like, but that you believe this position is going to help you navigate yourself in the right direction.

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    Act Interested But Not Desperate While Waiting For Feedback

    Sometimes you wont hear from the employer for many days after your interview.

    They might need to meet more candidates, or might need time to finalize their decision.

    Id recommend wrapping up your interview by asking when you can expect to hear feedback. That way, you wont be too anxious waiting at home.

    If that time passes, its okay to follow up with the employer to get an update from them. But be patient and never sound needy/desperate. Delays happen.

    If they tell you, sorry, things are taking longer than we expected and we are still making our decision, the worst thing you can do is act frustrated or upset. This isnt going to help you get hired!

    The best thing you can do is keep applying for jobs while you wait. Its never smart to wait around for one single employer because so many unexpected things can cost you the job or cause a delay in the process.

    So thats another one of my favorite interview tips when you finish one interview, try to get more lined up! Dont stop interviewing for jobs until youve signed a job offer.

    The Day Of The Interview

    How to Prepare for an Interview – Squarespace Employee
  • 1Dress in professional clothing. As a rule of thumb, you should dress up slightly more than you would on a typical workday.XExpert SourceAlyson Garrido, PCCCareer CoachExpert Interview. 24 January 2020. Casual offices might only require business casual attire, while more professional ones may need fully professional clothing.XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source
  • Its better to be overdressed than underdressed.
  • You can learn about the dress code / typical attire by checking out pictures on the companys website or social media pages.
  • 2Get there at least 5 minutes early. Showing up on time makes a good first impression, so try not to be late. Get to your interview 5 to 10 minutes beforehand so you dont inconvenience the interviewer by showing up way too early.XResearch source
  • Make your travel arrangements well ahead of the day of the interview. Showing up on time can mean the difference between getting the job and not getting the job.
  • 3Bring 3 to 4 copies of your resumé to share with your interviewers. Your interviewers will probably have your resumé printed out already, but its nice to show that youre prepared. Bring a few copies of your resumé to share with your interviewers if they need one.XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source
  • You can also use one of the copies as a guide as you talk through your job experience and qualifications.
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    Watch Your Body Language

    Body language is no more than a reflection of your attitude. In fact, the word attitude comes from the Italian attitudine, which means posture. If you are having a bad day, then your body language will certainly tell on you!

    In addition to revealing your mood, your body language could potentially reveal character deficits such as impatience, dishonesty, laziness and others. Ideally, youll work on your mood, character and other things that feed into your body language tendencies on a regular basis.

    However, for an interview, you can address what you can immediately control. To start, practice sitting without slouching, smile as much as you can and nod to show that you are actively listening. If you come in with bad posture, and a dull, spacey look, then your interviewer might perceive a lack of diligence and interest on your part. You should practice speaking into a mirror to get a sense of what your mood, words and demeanor convey through your body language.

    Take it a step further and record yourself. Rewatch the video and send it to friends and family for feedback. Lets face it. There might be some things you do that require some fine-tuning for an interview, wringing your hands when you are frustrated or having a nervous tick.

    Bring Copies Of Your Resume

    Whether interview in person or by video, have copies of your resume ready for the interview team. More than likely, youll be interviewing with a number of people at the same time. This being likely, come prepared with several copies of your resume. Print your resume on high-quality paper and use a professional portfolio cover to carry them into the interview space.

    Even with a video interview, you can be ready to drop links into the chat that go directly to your resume. Typically, managers and supervisors are busy and may fail to pull up your resume in time for the meeting. Make their life easy by having an online version of your resume available at a moments notice.

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