Job interviews can be nerve-wracking if you are unprepared. You may be unable to answer even the simplest of questions just because of the lack of preparation. You need to be well prepared for the interview, not just so you can answer the questions correctly but also make sure you have confidence in yourself. Confidence plays a very important role in determining whether you get a job or not. Here are some of the ways you can prepare for the interview.
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Carry a copy of your resume with you
Carrying a copy of your resume is always handy when going for job interviews. Your interviewee may need to refer to some points in your resume during the interview process. They may not have a copy at hand for various reasons, like misplacing it or forgetting it in their office. All in all, you will have saved them a lot of time and painted a responsible picture to them by having your resume with you. With this in mind, you need to ensure your resume is in top shape. You can seek help from a professional resume writing service to increase your chances of securing your favorite job.
Research the company hiring
Doing some research on the company will be extremely helpful to you in tackling their questions. When you do thorough research, you can be able to find the existing gaps in the company and how you can contribute to filling these gaps. Questions like ‘why do you think you are a good fit for this role can be answered by explaining to them how you can help them grow the areas that have been falling behind over the years. This is bound to impress them, and you just might get the job.
The research will also help you know what salary expectations to have. There are platforms like Glassdoor that can provide you with this information given by former employees or current ones in that position you are being interviewed for.
Practice use of body language
You need to make sure you dress appropriately, sit straight, maintain eye contact, smile, and speak clearly. These are all cues that you need to ensure are perfect. These are things the recruiters can use to judge your character or personality.
If you speak eloquently without the use of filler words, they will most likely be impressed. Sitting straight, a firm handshake, and maintaining eye contact all give an air of confidence which is something employers look for. First impressions matter and you need to look your best if you intend to leave a mark after the interview.
Anticipate your interviewer’s reservations or concerns
You know your curriculum vitae inside and out. You know areas that may sell you shortly, for example, a significant gap in your work history. You need to be quick to explain what was going on during this period. Maybe you took a break to continue studying or maybe went into a venture like entrepreneurship during that time.
They may also think you are not a perfect fit because of insufficient experience, but you can always find your way around answering those questions. Knowing how to tackle the concerns of your interviewers will help you look like a good fit in their books. This will potentially secure you a job.
Look up common interview questions
Before an interview, you need to know what kinds of answers are required for certain questions. Interview questions can be a bit confusing if you have not prepared well. Some questions are commonly asked during interviews, and you can prepare for them using online resources.
Several platforms can help you prepare how to answer interview questions. Google has many websites and blogs that can help you navigate your way around answering common interview questions. You can also watch videos on Youtube that will give you advice on how to tackle common interview questions. These will give you an idea of how to answer the questions you are likely to be asked in the interview.
Prepare questions for the interviewers
You need to have a set of questions ready to ask the interviewers. Most times, after an interview, the interviewers will ask you whether or not you have a question for them. Asking them a question makes you seem interested in the job and that you take it with seriousness. This can give you bonus points with your interviewers. You can get even more bonus points if you ask impressive questions.
You can ask questions like ‘what makes this job a great fit for me’ or ‘what are you offering that makes you stand out from other similar agencies.’ You don’t need to worry about painting the wrong picture by asking your prospective employer such questions. If anything, they make you seem more confident and a perfect fit for the job.
Practice your answers
There is a difference between knowing how to answer and giving these answers in front of a panel of interviewers. You may not know how to confidently deliver these answers. You will need to practice answering these questions before the interview. Practicing the answers alone may not be the best way to tackle this situation. You can have two of your friends help you practice answering the questions.
One will be the interviewer asking you the questions, and the other will sit back and observe how you answer these questions. Both of them will give you feedback at the end and tell you what you did right and parts that need to be worked on. Doing this four or five times before an interview will have you ready to tackle any question you are asked calmly and confidently.
Conclusion
Preparation is crucial when going for an interview. You can’t just up and go for the interview despite the amount of faith you have in yourself. You need to be well prepared to secure your chances of getting the job. There are many ways to prepare for an interview, and these are just a few of them. These tips will hopefully help you do the necessary preparations for your job interview and, in the long run, secure it.
Read also: How to Impress at an Online Job Interview