How Do You Prepare for an Interview?: The Ultimate Guide
For every six applications you submit, you receive only one interview offer according to a study revolving around job seekers. So, when you get that interview opportunity, you want to make the most out of it. Therefore, you have to be meticulous with your preparation. But how do you prepare for an interview? This blog explores the preparation process, giving essential tips to build confidence and have a successful interview.
Why is Preparation Necessary Before an Interview?
A job interview is an interview held to assess the suitability of a candidate for a job position by an interviewer or a panel of interviewers. The questions asked vary from the candidate’s personality to experience, skills, and expectations. On average, an interview lasts for about 40 minutes. It is a long time, and you cannot think of an answer to all the questions on the spot. Therefore, preparation is a must. Let us discuss what preparation is required in getting ready for an interview.
How to Prepare for an Interview?
Thorough interview preparation means a confident approach to a job interview. The better you prepare, the more chances you have of leaving a lasting impression on the interviewer. Here is how to prepare for an interview:
1. Check Eligibility: Read Job Description
Before applying for any job, you should read the job description carefully and check if you are eligible for the job vacancy or not. Review the job title, department, and responsibilities and see if your skills align with the ones mentioned in the description.
2. Visit the “About Us” Page of the Company
Did you know? Job statistics reveal that about 50% of the candidates do not get a job offer due to a lack of knowledge about the company they have applied for. Therefore, it is necessary to research the company as part of your interview preparation.
You can visit the “About Us” page of the company to find all the relevant information the company wants to convey. You can also visit their social media profiles and check online employee reviews. This research allows you to prepare your answers accordingly and shows your preparedness and interest in the company to the interviewer.
3. Try and Test Company Products & Services
One of the underrated interview preparation tips is trying and testing the company’s products and services. The interviewer may ask you about the product or service during the interview. If you have used it yourself, answering such questions will become easy. It will also show that you are proactive and insightful.
4. Research Average and Highest Salary
An interviewer can ask about your salary expectations during the interview. To avoid providing an unrealistic number, research the salary of the job position you are applying for. You can check websites with salaries mentioned by current or previous employees, or even the competitor companies, to get an idea of the usual salary in the field.
5. Prepare for “Unexpected” Questions
You are aware of the basic questions asked in the interview, but what about the tricky ones? Here is a list of some less-anticipated questions an interviewer can ask:
- How do you define success?
- Tell me about a time you showed leadership.
- What is the difference between hard work and smart work?
- Why do you want to change your job?
- Tell me about the time you disagreed with your manager’s opinion.
- Describe a time when a member of your team underperformed.
- How do you handle stress and pressure?
Prepare an answer for each of these and research other such questions. These questions allow the interviewer to assess your personality, so ensure you answer them accordingly. Do not forget to check out the job-specific questions as well. For example, if you are applying for digital marketing jobs for freshers, you can refer to these digital marketing interview questions.
6. List Questions You Will Ask
Towards the end of your interview, an interviewer may ask if you have any questions for them. Therefore, preparing a list of questions you can ask your potential employer is essential. Use your earlier research about the company and the job position to prepare this list. If you deny having any questions, it may leave an impression that you are not interested or not attentive.
7. Practice With Online Mock Interviews
Now, you do not have to look for a friend or family to request a dummy interview. If you are wondering how to prepare for a job interview online, know that there are online resources to provide an interview-like environment, proper feedback, and tips to improve the areas you need to work on. Such resources are a great boon when it comes to interview preparation. For instance, you can refer to an online interview preparation course.
8. Analyze Your Digital Presence
A trend observed among employers is researching the online presence of the candidate. Review all your social media profiles and ensure there is nothing problematic. If you identify an issue, prepare to answer about the same in the interview.
If your profiles are not up-to-date, update them with the latest information. The interviewer gets more insights into your personality through these social media accounts.
9. Get Your Travel Plan Ready
Arriving on time for an interview is evidence of your punctuality and gives a positive impression. For this, plan how you will travel to the interview location. Check the address, search on Google Maps, select the mode of travel, and note the anticipated time. If the location looks confusing, call the company and request further assistance.
10. Interview Attire: Keep It Simple but Formal
While simply dressing well will not seal the deal, dressing unprofessionally can hamper your chances of selection. To not appear unprofessional and unserious about the interview, always dress professionally. Simple formal attire is one of the basics of how to get ready for an interview. Try some combinations to know which one you are most comfortable in and wear it for the interview.
11. Essentials to Carry
Underline this rule because this simple yet vital rule can help you calm your anxiety on the day of the interview. Pack your bag a day before and ensure you have all the essentials, such as the documents, notepad, pens, ID card, the company’s address, and HR or contact person’s information. You can also carry emergency items such as a phone charger, band-aids, deodorant, umbrella, breath mints, and a snack.
Remember, the emergency items are not compulsory, and you can carry them if required. An umbrella dropping from your bag while dishing out a resume is not an ideal scenario. Therefore, ensure you keep your bag organized.
12. Cheat Sheet to the Rescue
Let us agree that it is not always possible to remember every detail and answer you have prepared for the interview. So, make an interview cheat sheet with all the necessary details such as company location, whom to meet, information about the department and company, key points to frame your answer, and the questions you want to ask.
You can attach a checklist to ensure you do not miss out on the documents or other essentials to carry along with you. Read the cheat sheet before the interview to ensure you do not miss out on anything.
Conclusion
The blog began with a question, “How do you prepare for an interview?” Now, you have the tips to help you get ready for an interview. It is important to present yourself as the best candidate to the interviewer looking for a professional suitable for his company. Remember, the key to success is practice. The more you practice, the more confident you sound during the interview. Did you find this blog informative? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. For more interview-related tips, refer to the blog on how to answer interview questions confidently.
Also Read: What is Mock Job Interview?
