A job interview is typically a compulsory element of any job application and an opportunity for you to demonstrate why you’re ideal for the role you’re applying for. Job interviews can be overwhelming for some people, which is why it’s so important to make sure you feel calm, confident and prepared on the day.
There are several steps you can take to make sure that you’re prepared for an interview, such as identifying the questions you might be asked and how you can properly show off your skill set. Below, we explore how to prepare for a job interview, the different ways to prepare for a job interview and how it can be beneficial for job seekers.
How to Prepare for a Job Interview
Making sure you’re prepared for a job interview is a great way of helping you through the process whilst demonstrating your professionalism and dedication. By having a clear plan of how to approach an interview, as well as understanding what to expect, you can provide a much better overall impression. The key steps to take to prepare for a job interview include:
1. Read through the job description
2. Review the qualifications and skills you have
3. Research the business you’re applying to
4. Practice potential interview questions
5. Practice any specialist questions you might face
6. Consider questions you can ask in the interview
7. Prepare your travel arrangements
Below we explore these elements of how to prepare for a job interview in some more detail:
1. Read through the job description
Having a good understanding of the job description for the role you’re applying for can help you understand the skills and qualifications you might require in the position. This is the best source of information you have on what employers are looking for and how you might fit their needs. Reading the job description prior to applying can also help you tailor your application – such as your CV and cover letter – to better match the attributes that the employer is looking for.
In terms of your job interview, the job description offers more information on the questions you can expect, what you may need to talk about and provides more insight into the questions you might want to ask your new potential employer. In a general sense, understanding the job description helps you understand the business, meaning you’re much more prepared for what may happen in the interview.
2. Review the qualifications and skills you have
Once you have a better understanding of what the employer is looking for, you’re in a better place to highlight these skills and qualifications during your application. While having this knowledge is useful for the job interview, it’s generally applicable to the entire application process, including the writing process for your CV and cover letter. Remember that during the interview, you may be expected to explain how you previous experience and achievements fits in with the current role – a question made much easier by understanding your skills and qualifications.
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3. Research the business you’re applying to
In the majority of cases, a business isn’t just recruiting for a person that has the abilities they require – they also want to know if that individual will fit the culture of the organisation. This is a question that will likely be raised during the interview process and offers the opportunity to demonstrate your personality, dedication and initiative. By having a full understanding of the company and their goals, you’re in a better place to highlight how you might help their efforts.
The best place to start your research is on their website or social media channels. You may consider looking at the following sources of information to inform your research:
• The ‘About Us’ section on the website
• Business values, mission and statement
• Business social media channels
• Any industry news around the business
• Professional networking platforms
• National or local news that reports on the business
Look for key information around what the company wants to achieve, new methodology they’re adopting and the overall vision they have for your position. You may also consider learning more about the history of the business, as this shows your dedication and passion for learning more about the business.
4. Practice potential interview questions
Researching the ‘generic’ interview questions you may experience is a great way of preparing for an interview. While specialist questions can help an employer learn more about your skills and abilities, generic questions help them understand your work ethic, personality and adaptability. By researching these ‘generic’ questions beforehand, you can present yourself in a more professional and eloquent manner.
A good way of adding context to your answers is using examples of past successes. For example, a common question is ‘where do you see yourself in five years?’ which gives the employer an opportunity to understand your motivations and expectations.
You can answer this question easily by being honest and offering further context. If you’re looking for career development and want to move to a higher position, relay this to the employer and mention the steps you’ve taken to achieve that feat. An example answer is:
“In five years I see myself being a Marketing Manager. After starting as an intern in a marketing agency, I’ve taken the time to build an understanding in multiple disciplines, earning various industry certifications and starting classes in leadership and management. This role as a Senior Marketing Executive will help me build on my current experience in management and how I can better lead a team to meet long-term objectives.”
5. Practice any specialist questions you might face
While it’s vital to have an understanding of the basics, it’s just as important to prepare answers for more specialised questions. These types of questions are a way for interviewers to test your abilities and gauge your understanding of the technical aspects of the role. This is more difficult as the questions obviously change depending on your role, qualifications and skill set but consider identifying the areas you believe you may be asked about.
If you’re applying for an accountancy role, for example, you may be asked about the various software and processes involved in modern accounting. By preparing answers for these questions, you put yourself in a better position where you’re less likely to be surprised.
6. Consider questions you can ask in the interview
A major part of any interview that many people don’t take advantage of is the opportunity to ask questions to the interviewers. This is your chance to show that you’re engaging with the interviewers, you’re passionate about the role and have the initiative to learn more about the position. Think about questions you can ask that offer useful information and also show your investment in the role and the business itself. Questions you might ask include:
• What’s a typical day for a person in this role?
• What’s the best thing about working for this company?
• How would you approach a specific problem such as a lack of resources for a specific project?
• I’ve enjoyed the application process and I’d like to know about the next steps in the hiring process.
7. Prepare your travel arrangements
An easy win that can offer multiple benefits is arranging your day properly beforehand – including how you plan to get to the interview and how much time you have to prepare prior to the meeting. Being relatively early – although you don’t want to arrive there 2 hours before – shows that you’re thoughtful and professional, while also ensuring that you’re not in a last-minute panic prior to the interview.
Make sure that you consider external factors such as traffic or public transport and how that might impact your journey.