Getting that call from a prospective employer could make you feel as if all your stars are finally aligning. But the thought of facing an interview with a total stranger could soon overshadow that exhilaration. And that’s when the nerves kick in.
This is why top candidates spend sufficient time getting ready for that important meeting. Pre-preparation can provide you an essential boost of confidence and gear you up to face any interview successfully.
So, here are the 10 essential steps to get you ready for a winning job interview.
1. Research the company
For many people, this is a no-brainer. But there are still plenty of candidates who walk into interviews with zero understanding of the company they‘ve applied to join. For an interviewer, this signals a lack of interest and tact.
But researching is not simply about going through a company’s website. You need to spend sufficient time to understand its history, products, as well as the industry and competitors. So, read company annual reports, latest press releases, and news stories, and scan its social profiles to understand its stakeholder sentiments. This can help you demonstrate industry and product knowledge and how you can be of value to achieve specific company goals.
Understanding the company culture and values is equally important. Many organizations place an increasing emphasis on hiring candidates who align well with their company values. Businesses such as Airbnb even conduct Core Value Interviews. So, preparing ahead will help you identify how you compliment a company’s culture and values and to get ready with some examples.
2. Study your resume
It’s normal to forget minor details like employment dates and work responsibilities, especially when you’re nervous or overwhelmed. But there are two critical reasons why you should do everything possible to avoid a mini bout of amnesia during an interview.
First, forgetting key details could prevent you from responding effectively to questions. Second, it makes interviewers suspicious about the credibility of your CV. Or they could note it as a sign that you’re forgetful, disengaged, or disinterested. They could also conclude that you lack attention to detail.
So, it pays to study your resume and to note down key details. If you haven’t been to an interview for a while, it’s even more important to refresh your memory. And if there are gaps in employment, make sure you’re prepared to explain them.
3. Understand the job role
The interviewer’s goal is to hire the candidate who best fits the job role. So, it’s your responsibility to demonstrate this. This is why you need to gain an in-depth understanding of the job you’ve applied for.
You can start by analyzing the vacancy advertisement, which will often highlight the key duties and responsibilities. You can also inquire for more details when you’re contacted to set up the interview. Then conduct basic research using the job title to understand general responsibilities associated with it.
All this information will allow you to identify and emphasize your skills, qualifications, and work experience that would make you the ideal candidate to take on the new role.
4. Prepare for common questions
There are standard questions that always pop up at interviews, although they may be worded in different ways. They are designed to help get to know you better and to understand how well you will fit the position and the company. These can include a brief introduction of yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, career ambitions, and why you should be hired.
So, make a list of these questions and prepare your answers. Then practice answering out loud. You can always get help from a friend if required. Practice as long as it takes so you’re able to answer effortlessly with confidence. This is also a good time to observe and adjust your voice, tone, and pace of speaking.
5. Prepare a list of questions to ask
At the end of the interview, candidates get to ask their own questions. Many request more details about the job role, expectations, and reporting structures. Some are more curious about work hours and company perks.
But this is also one of the best opportunities to impress your interviewer by asking a few smart and insightful questions. It can help demonstrate your knowledge, personality, and ambitions, and how interested and engaged you are. So, preparing for this stage is critical and could become one of the deciding factors for getting hired over other candidates.
Here are a few questions to impress.
- What do you expect from the ideal candidate for this position and how do I compare?
- How would you determine that the person you have hired has succeeded in this role in one year’s time?
- What are the biggest challenges your company is facing right now?
- Where do you see the company in 5 years and how would this role contribute towards achieving that?
6. Research the interviewers
Now, this may sound slightly intrusive. But we’re living in an age where ‘Googling’ total strangers has become a norm. Besides, the reality is, personal characteristics, attitudes, and preferences of interviewers could often influence interview outcomes. And researching them will help you navigate these barriers and build better rapport.
So, when you’re contacted to set up an interview, always inquire and note down the interviewers’ names and designations. Then run a simple search on Google and LinkedIn.
Spend time to understand their work background, personal interests, projects they are spearheading, and social causes they support. These will help you identify your personal interests and experiences that would align best with theirs. And all these little details will ultimately be useful to develop a rapport during the interview.
7. Practice body language
Interviewers do not simply depend on what they hear to assess candidates. They closely watch for telltale behavioral cues as well. In fact, 93% of communication is nonverbal, and 55% of it comprises body language.
Your body language can confirm or negate your spoken word. It can also inform the interviewer whether you’re confident, nervous, or disengaged. So, practice your standing, walking, and sitting postures in front of a mirror until you have mastered them. Here are a few important tips to get you started.
- Stand and sit straight with your arms open.
- Practice a confident handshake with the right grip.
- Smile and maintain eye contact without staring.
- Avoid fixing your hair, touching your face, or fidgeting. However, feel free to use hand gestures without being overly animated or distracting the interviewer.
- Mirroring some of your interviewer’s body language can also confirm you are engaged. Slightly leaning forward, nodding, and acknowledging what you hear through body language cues will also help achieve this.
8. Dress the part
You’re likely invited for the interview because of the skills and expertise demonstrated in your resume. However, your appearance will also influence the final interview outcome.
And it’s not simply about creating a good first impression. Your dress style will reveal a lot more to the interviewer about your characteristics and attitudes. For them, dressing shabbily could be a sign of poor judgment and lack of care, respect, and standards.
So, take time to select and prepare your clothes, shoes, and accessories for a smart and professional look. Choose neatly pressed clothes and clean and polished shoes. Accessorize in moderation. Grooming is equally important. Pay extra attention to hair, nails, and body odor. Remember, dressing your best will also provide a tremendous boost to your confidence.
9. Prepare necessary documents
Many companies will not expect you to submit additional documents at an interview. But it always pays to be prepared. So, take a few printouts of your most up-to-date CV. Prepare a list of references, and any letters of recommendation and appreciation. You can also include your educational certifications.
Many professionals would carry work portfolios as well, and for some, such as designers, taking a laptop or iPad would work better than taking printed copies of their work. Apart from that, take a few business cards and a photo ID in case of access restrictions to the office premises.
10. Plan your commute
Keeping your interviewers waiting is guaranteed to make them question your professionalism. So, when you’re invited for an interview, it’s important to ensure that you arrive ahead of time. This is why you need to plan the commute in advance.
A simple search on Google Maps will help you determine the best route to take and the average travel time. But keep a buffer for traffic or any other unforeseen event. Arrange transportation and always plan to arrive early.
And if your interview is a virtual meeting, check the devices in advance. Adjust call volumes and set up your laptop for optimum video quality. Also, check your Wi-Fi connection—the last thing you want is a connectivity failure.
Additional resources
And finally, here are some more useful resources to help you prepare.
Inc.’s Contributing Editor Jeff Haden has created an excellent list of common interview questions in the below article.
This article by Rachel Gillett, Áine Cain, and Joey Haddenon Business Insider provides some insightful questions to ask your interviewer.
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