How to Prepare for that Important Job Interview

Tips to Ensure a Successful Interview

Aug 3, 2009 Thaddeus Lawrence

The key to having a great interview lies in solid preparation. Learn how to get ready for that all-important meeting.

Being called up for a job interview is a signal that hirers are thinking seriously about offering a position. The interview represents the job seeker’s best chance to impress upon them that he is the person most suited to the job.

This face-to-face meeting is an opportunity for the recruiters to assess the candidate’s potential and learning ability and to see if he would do well in his selected role. It is also his chance to determine if the company or industry is the right one. Chances of a positive outcome can be maximised by considering the categorical questions below.

Knowing One Self

“Tell me about yourself” is one of the frequently asked interview questions. Related to a personal statement, it is a variation of many others which will be asked. To even begin thinking about answering them, it is useful to do a personal stock take.

• What are you passionate about?
• What are your personal strengths and areas for improvement?
• How would your ex-colleagues describe you?
• What were your notable achievements in your previous job?
• What are some experiences which show you are a team player?
• What was one setback you faced and how did you bounce back from it?
• Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Knowing the Company

Visiting the company website, checking their annual reports and scouring news mediums are just a few ways to find out information about the potential new employer. How much a candidate knows is an indication of how committed he is to working there. Bosses would also want to know what value he will bring should he be hired.

• Why choose to work at this particular firm? How are they different from their competitors?
• What is it about the values and culture that is attractive?
• How does the general public view the firm/industry?
• What are some of the recent milestones or highlights that mark the growth of the company?
• If there are any controversies about the business, what is your point of view?
• In what ways will you contribute to the company or department?
• How would you fit into the team and what support will you need?

Knowing the Interview Type

Interviews come in many types and these require different approaches.

• Face to face interviews. Is it a one-on-one or panel interview? What are the names of the interviewers? Are they the immediate supervisors or department specialists or personnel from the Human Resource department?
• Group interviews. How many candidates will be present? Will there be group discussions? Will there be peer questioning?
• Situational interviews. Designed to test competency, questions range from past experience and hypothetical situations. Do you have any stories that illustrate your asset and problem solving skills?
• Sequential interviews. How many interviews in total will there be? What sets of competencies or skills are they looking for?

Knowing What Questions to Ask

Toward the end of interviews there is normally an opportunity to ask questions. Being prepared with some appropriate questions shows thoughtful maturity and a sense for details. Questions pertaining to employee evaluation, career tracks, developmental areas, communication frequency, work culture, priorities and problems, all show an active evaluation of fit with the job and company. Pay attention during the interview and avoid asking questions about things which have already been covered.

An interview is all about selling one’s skills, talents and assets. And the most important things job seekers can do is plan and prepare properly to better ensure a successful outcome.

The copyright of the article How to Prepare for that Important Job Interview in Career Advice is owned by Thaddeus Lawrence. Permission to republish How to Prepare for that Important Job Interview in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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