How To Prepare For An Interview

You felt like a fantastic fit for the position, but as soon as you shook hands with the recruiter, your confidence dropped. Words wouldn’t make sense, and the questions left you exhausted. In addition, there is a coffee stain that was not present this morning.

If you’re already stressed, don’t be. Preparing for an interview is not that difficult. In reality, you can get ready in 10 simple steps. Continue reading to learn how to prepare for an interview and make those tense sessions more fun.

How to Prepare for an Interview

• Check the job description and requirements.
• Review your resume and work experience.
•  Research interview questions for your position.
• Learn about the company and the interviewer.
• Prepare for an interview introduction in advance.
• Plan your appearance and get your clothes ready.
• Pack all necessary things.
• Plan your route and get there on time.
• Control your stress levels.
• Follow up with a thank-you email.

These steps appear to be very straightforward. But how do you finish all of them? Continue reading to find out exactly how to prepare for a job interview.

• Check the Job Description and Requirements

You emailed your resume to 20 companies and got lucky: five of them invited you to an interview! But now, waiting in the hall right before the meeting, you realize you can’t recall the position offered or the advertised compensation.

Is this the way you prepare for interviews? Definitely not! It is important to review the job advertisement.

Here’s how to read the job offer in depth:

• Remember the name of the position: It may sound silly, but it’s actually pretty easy to forget the exact job title.
• Review the job description: It’s important to understand what exactly the job involves. Focus on responsibilities, working hours, and conditions. For example, if you count on working from home, make sure that the job posting mentions it, as the rate of employees working remotely is decreasing in the US.
• Examine the job requirements: The interviewer wants to make sure you’re a good fit for the job. They will definitely ask you questions related to the required experience and skills. You must prepare yourself to prove you possess all of them.
• Check the starting date: You don’t want to go to an interview and realize the job starts in 10 months, especially if you need it now.
• Review the benefits: Over 20% of job candidates decline a job offer because the proposed wage is too low. If the salary is posted, make sure it’s acceptable to you. If not, it’s best to learn about it as soon as possible.

Pro Tip: Check to see if this position was advertised on other job sites—don’t rely solely on one ad. Companies frequently post on multiple boards, and there may be variances between each. You can also find out whether this post has previously been advertised. That may also provide you with additional information about the position and firm.

• Review Your Resume and Work Experience

A resume that fits everyone is no longer relevant. If you successfully applied for a job and were asked to an interview, it’s likely that your resume was designed precisely to the job offer. Now it’s time to take another hard look at it. Especially since many companies want candidates to walk over their resume.

When reviewing your resume, focus on:

• Highlights of your career: Consider carefully what your top achievements are. Why are they valuable to you? What did you do to accomplish them? Many interviewers ask about the candidate’s biggest achievement, so be prepared to talk about it. It’s best to use the STAR method to describe your accomplishments.
• Work history: Review the companies you worked for. What were your job responsibilities? What did you like about the managers? Did you get along well with your colleagues? Were there any issues in those workplaces? Why did you leave those jobs? That’s how to prepare for interview questions related to your work experience.
• Gaps: You must be prepared to explain any gaps in your work history. Be honest and don’t invent anything creative to impress the interviewer—they can learn the truth with a thorough background check anyway. Try putting a positive spin on the gaps by expressing what you have learned during that time. For example, if you felt burned out by your job and took time off to travel, say how it helped you to see your career and life goals from a different perspective. If you needed time off work to take care of your family members, mention how it taught you skills such as time management, multitasking, and reliability.
• Skills: Think of situations when you used hard and soft skills, and consider how you could develop them further. If you have any certifications listed on your resume, remind yourself of their names and when you got them.
• Educational background: If your degree is related to the job, think about how the knowledge you gained can contribute to the work. If it’s unrelated, be prepared to explain why you didn’t pursue a career connected to your field of study.
• Language skills: Does the job require a foreign language? Then be prepared to speak it during the interview. Practice introducing yourself and describing your work experience.
• Things you left out: Resumes have limited space, so you had to be selective while writing them. However, the sooner you realize that the recruiter might ask you about things that are not on your resume, the better. Think carefully about what additional information you can provide for your benefit.

Research Interview Questions for Your Position

Wondering how to prepare for interview questions? You may be shocked to learn how simple it may be. Most interview questions are extremely common. You do not have to pay $5 to the psychic on the corner of your street to forecast them.

Here are some of the most popular interview questions you can use to prepare for an interview:

• What’s your biggest strength?
• What’s your greatest weakness?
• What was the biggest challenge you faced at work?
• How did you learn about this offer?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• Describe a mistake you made at work.
• What’s your ideal work environment?
• How would other people describe you?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• Why do you want to work for us?
• What motivates you?
• What is your biggest passion?
• Why should we hire you?

Consider all of the questions carefully and prepare detailed responses. Of course, don’t recite them during the interview; it will seem “canned.” And don’t mention you detest your current employer; it won’t go you very far.

The tough questions are those about your profession. They can be more harder to forecast. But this does not imply you can’t prepare at all!

Check the below list of steps to take when preparing for questions related to your industry or profession:

• Google search “[profession type] job interview questions”: The simplest method is often the best. There is a pretty good chance you can find blogs or websites listing common questions for any type of job.
• Visit online discussion boards: You can start on Reddit and look for a group related to your profession. It’s likely that people who went to job interviews recently shared questions they heard.
• Check popular websites in your field: Most have a career section with articles offering helpful advice for getting a job.
• Ask friends: If they work in the same field as you, you can exchange experiences of past job interviews to find out which questions are common. You might also practice answering such questions with a friend to boost your confidence levels.

Remember, the interviewer’s questions aren’t the only ones that should come up during the encounter. It is appropriate to ask questions at the end of the interview. It demonstrates that the candidate thought about the position carefully. Prepare a few questions to ask before the meeting.

Learn About the Company and the Interviewer

If you’re wondering how to prepare for an interview with a company you don’t know anything about, I have some ideas for you. And it’s a simple one: study everything about it.

Does that sound impossible?

So, it’s time to be choosy. You do not need all of the employees’ names or the secretary’s cat. However, you must have a general understanding of the business for which you may work.

You need to know the following:

• What kind of company is it? Do they produce something or provide services?
• How old is this company? Is it brand new, or are there decades of history under their belt?
• How big is it? Is it a small startup or a large corporation?
• What’s the department you applied to? What’s its scope of work?
• Does this business receive any publicity? Are there any controversies?

This knowledge is useful not only for the interview, but it will also help you better comprehend the position. Imagine discovering that the company has received a lot of negative news owing to mobbing, poor working conditions, ludicrous workplace surveillance, or failing to pay their employees on time. You’d like to know this before accepting the job, right? Better late than never.

But wait—how to prepare for an internal interview?

Actually, it’s even easier. You already know the company and, most likely, the manager conducting the interview. Even if you don’t, ask your coworkers whether they know them. You might gain valuable insights.

Pro Tip: Businesses that are publicly traded issue press releases on a regular basis. Check them out to learn more about the company’s current activities and future plans. This can provide vital information into the company’s financial situation as well as potential future prospects.

Prepare for an Interview Introduction in Advance

“So, tell us about yourself!”

It’s a question that everyone dread. What exactly are you saying? If you discuss your career background, you will sound dull. If you discuss your passions, you may come across as unprofessional. In a Catch-22 position.

That’s why it’s important to prepare your answer beforehand. And this is how:

• Pick some impressive words to describe yourself.
• Start your answer with your key strength.
• Explain how this ability contributed to your past employer’s success.
• Mention a few quantifiable achievements.
• Say how your skills can grow and contribute to the success of the new company

Try writing some introductions first and then reading them aloud. They should be natural, like an elevator pitch. Don’t make your introduction too long; it’s not a TED talk.

Plan Your Appearance and Get Your Clothes Ready

Are you planning on wearing your favorite power suit? Fantastic idea! But when did you last wear it? Attending your cousin’s wedding? The one in which someone dumped a glass on you? Mistakes like this happen all the time, but you don’t want them to occur when your career is on the line.

Here’s how to prepare for an interview in terms of appearance:

• Get a haircut in advance: If you need to get your hair trimmed, do it at least a week before the interview, not the day before. You’ll have time to fix things if anything goes wrong.
• Check your facial hair: It’s not very likely that the interviewer will care much about it, but if you notice your beard or eyebrows looking imperfect 5 minutes before the meeting, you might feel self-conscious about it. Better to do maintenance work the day before the interview to avoid such things affecting your performance.
• Pick the outfit: First, think of what people usually wear to job interviews. It’s best to try on a few combinations a week before the meeting. If anything needs dry cleaning, you’ll have time to arrange it. The day before the meeting, check if your clothes are pressed and spotless.
• Use deodorant and subtle perfume: It’s easy to forget about a deodorant when you’re stressed and in a hurry, but it’s a lifesaver. You can even keep one in your car or purse for emergencies. Don’t use very heavy perfume—many interview rooms are relatively small, so the fragrance can be overwhelming.
• Look in the mirror before leaving: Before you step out of your house, look in the mirror. Looking good? Awesome! A spot on your shirt? Change it quickly!

These tips are quite handy in many kinds of situations, right? If you were planning a date with the love of your life, you’d probably do the same steps!

Pack All Necessary Things

You are on your way to the meeting. You simply wanted to check the actual address on Google Maps. So you reach into your pocket to find your phone, but all you find is an empty bubble gum wrapper.

Uh-oh. You have left your phone at home.

You can easily prevent such turmoil. Simply pack your belongings ahead of time, as if you were leaving on a dream vacation.

Here’s what to bring to a job interview:

• Documents: Personal ID, driver’s license, copies of your degrees or certificates—put them in a neat folder so they don’t get wrinkly.
• Mobile phone: Of course, mute it before the meeting.
• Pen and notepad: If you need to write anything down.
• Copies of your resume: You can review it on the way to the company.
• Cash: In case you want to buy some bottled water before the interview or need to pay for parking.
• Keys: House keys, car keys—you don’t want to search for them at the last possible moment frantically.

It is also a good idea to ask the recruiter if there is anything specific you should bring to the interview. For example, if you apply for a creative position, they may need a tangible portfolio with copies of your work. Others could ask for a list of references. It is better to verify ahead of time!

Plan Your Route and Get There on Time

You’re on your way to the corporate headquarters. You spend your time behind the wheel reviewing all you’ve learned about the business. And then it happens. You make a right turn and notice roadwork. There is a traffic gridlock that extends for several miles.

It’s easy to see why planning your trip ahead of time is so vital.

Here’s how to make sure you arrive for the job interview on time:

• Check your mode of transport: If you want to go by car, make sure the gas tank is full. Going by public transportation? Check the timetable and make sure there are no expected changes due to maintenance works.
• Plan your way: Check for road closures and planned roadworks. Also, plan ahead where you’ll park your car or how far you have to walk from a transit stop to the company headquarters.
• Leave home early: In case of unexpected mishaps, you need to have enough time to call a taxi or change your planned route for a different one.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes early: It will give you enough time to wash your hands, check your appearance in the mirror, have a sip of water, and catch your breath. Many companies also have security measures that require visitors to leave a signature—if you’re early, you don’t have to rush.

Control Your Stress Levels

This can be the most challenging step. You understand everything about the job and the organization. You are prepared. But how can I psychologically prepare for an interview?

There is nothing wrong with being stressed. Stress is a rather effective motivator. But only if it emerges in controllable quantities. Otherwise, it can convert even the most intelligent candidate into a jumbled mess. How do you deal with difficult situations? Do you flourish in them? Or do they push your limitations too far?

Learn how to prepare yourself mentally for an interview not to get surprised by high-stress levels:

• Get a good night’s sleep: As obvious as it sounds, many people forget about it. Don’t spend the night before the interview practicing your answers. Go to bed early and give yourself time to rest. Lack of sleep may lead to high cortisol levels, which can lead to excess stress.
• Imagine the interview beforehand: A visualization is a powerful tool that can help you overcome anxiety related to various life events. Try to imagine the interview minute-by-minute and observe what causes you to feel stressed. Is it your introduction? Maybe the questions asked by interviewers? If you know which part makes you nervous, you can focus on preparing yourself specifically for it.
• Listen to music on the way: Classical, folk, death metal—whatever makes you release negative emotions. Singing along to songs you like can help you burn off nervous energy and take your mind off worrying.
• Breathe deeply: Many people breathe irregularly when stressed. Taking slow, deep breaths has a calming effect and delivers oxygen to the brain, which makes thinking easier.
• Engage your muscles before the meeting: If you feel restless while waiting for the interview, do a few squats, move your hands and arms, or go up and down the stairs for a minute.

Follow Up With a Thank-You Email

Congratulations, you got through your job interview! It wasn’t too horrible, right? So, how did things go? Are you already sending a goodbye email to your colleagues?

Some job interviews are an absolute nightmare. However, some are genuinely pretty enjoyable. If you enjoyed yours, consider sending a follow-up email following the meeting. This manner, instead of impatiently waiting for a sign from the corporation, you can continue the conversation.

According to research on the effectiveness of thank-you emails following a job interview, one in every five recruiters dismisses candidates who have not sent one. Isn’t that shocking?

Of course, after careful analysis, you may decide that you do not desire this employment. It is also OK to send a thank-you email while gently declining the employment offer.