How to Prepare for an Interview [Tips & Interview Questions]
How to prepare for an interview?
As per a study conducted, it is revealed that 64% of the candidates research their interviewer before attending an interview. Moreover, majority of the interview candidates believe that rehearsing the answers loud for the common interview questions can help them to boost their confidence and reduce their stress and anxiety. At the end of this blog article, it can help you to sort out the nervous questions that comes to your mind prior to think ‘how to prepare to an interview’. Read through article to get the required confident that can prepare yourself to get that job you need.
- Have a deep examination of the job description
As the first step in answering to the question of how to prepare for an interview, you need to understand the qualifications and the skills required for the job. You need to clearly go through the job description posted which will help you to get a basic overview of the job that you are applying for.
- Research the company scope and their executive team roles
In preparing for an interview, it is important to know about the executive team of the company. Getting to know about any special achievements completed by them is also essential. Finding information about the service and products of the company can ensure your knowledge on the background of the company as well. To get this information, you can refer to the corporate website of the company in the ‘About us’ section. Not only that, talking to any former or current employees of the company can help you understand the company reputation.
- Understand the company culture and their practices
For an employee to become satisfied with their job, company culture is key. Therefore, you need to get an understanding about the culture. Adjusting yourself to the company culture is another critical answer to the question of ‘how to prepare for an interview’.
- Relate you profile to the position required by the employer
At the third stage, you need to match your profile to that of the job requirements of the posted job vacancy. Your profile can include the special qualifications, skills, certifications, and scope you possess. These can help you to perform the job tasks efficiently. Make sure to highlight your unique abilities in the interview so that you stand out from the crowd. With this, interviewers can also know that you know your strengths to perform the job.
- Decide your answers to the most asked common interview questions
Unless the second half of an interview, the first half of an interview always consists of the questions that are common to any job interview. Therefore, your answers to these questions can affect the impression of yourself. You need to ensure that these answers describe yourself and your background to the best level. It is always better to give a simple and sweet introduction of yourself. This can be better than talking about your education life for longer time which can lose the interest of the interviewer. Prepare yourself to the technical aspects related to the job that you are applying for. You also need to be comfortable and ready to speak about the salary expectations with the interviewer.
- Practice the questions
After deciding on the answers, you can start practicing answering those questions. Writing them down alone will not help you out. So, you need to rehearse them verbally to increase your confidence in answering. For instance, you can find your friend’s help to create an interview scene and act along. Following are some common questions asked in interviews:
- Tell me about yourself
- Why do you think you are best fit for this job?
- Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
- What interests you about this job?
- What are your main strengths and weaknesses in your work life?
- Decide on the appropriate dress
One of the first things that creates your impression is the dress you are wearing to an interview. It is easy to have an interview outfit ready at all times. In this case, wearing a business attire is the most appropriate. Not only that, being neat and tidy can give a positive impression to your interviewer.
- Keep the necessary documents ready
Its crucial to take your relevant documents to the interview without anyone asking you to. These documents include your updated curriculum vitae and other certifications to prove the qualifications that you have included in the CV. Keep a small notebook and a pen to help you to note down any important points at the end of the interview.
- Learn the interview etiquette
Decent and appropriate interview etiquette will define your personal character and attitudes. Always remember to greet the person you are meeting such as receptionist. Maintain a polite speaking tone. Do not rush even if the time passed your appointment time. Keep in pace until they call you in. While attending the interview, you can consider the following points to score better:
- Uphold a polite body language
- Listen well and give attention
- Shake your hands firmly with the interviewer
- Always make eye contact with the person you are talking which can create a bond of trust.
- Talk interestingly, but not too much
- Listen well and Ask questions
Finally, in answering for the question of how to prepare for an interview, you need to listen well. As far as you are concerned with other people listening to you, you need to also listen to interviewer closely. This can avoid you from asking the question again and show your engagement with the interview. Asking questions from the interviewer can create a relationship with the interviewer. Hence, they understand that you identify the job as a critical success as well.
- Be grateful
Whether you are being selected or not, it is always better to follow up with a sweet thankyou note expressing your gratefulness for being invited to the interview and providing with the opportunity. View this as a better opportunity to show your interest in the job.