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Preparation is the first essential step towards a successful interview so do your homework. Interviewers are continually amazed at the number of candidates who have not prepared themselves and possess little or no information about the company.
- Make sure that you know where you are going, give yourself plenty of time to get there, and give yourself time to relax for a few minutes before the interview.
- First impressions are important and for most job interviews it is to your advantage to dress in a professional manner.
Rules regarding dress will vary based on the type of job and organization; familiarizing yourself with correct interviewing attire is important.
- Analyze the position you are interviewing for and come prepared with clear and articulate stories that demonstrate the skills that the employer is looking for. Review your qualifications and use specific examples in which you can describe a problem and the positive result of your actions to illustrate your abilities. Practice and make yourself comfortable discussing yourself in a positive light, but not so much that your responses sound rehearsed.
- It is common to be nervous about interviewing. For most people it is something that gets easier with practice, planning and experience. Remember to be yourself during the interview; employers are looking for the opportunity to get to know you.
- It is important to do some research on the employer before your interview. It will convey a good sense of focus and interest and will give you a better understanding of how you would fit into the organization. An online search would be a good first step; start with the employer's home page. Review the organization's history and mission statement, have some understanding of their products or services, and be familiar with any new developments. Also review information on company structure and the position that you are interviewing for so that you have an idea of its place in the organization.
- Remember that during the interview you are interviewing them as well and this is the time to ask questions about things that are important to you. Here are some basic questions that would be helpful to both you and the interviewer;
- Why is the position available?
- What is the culture of the company?
- Is there an induction or training program?
- What sorts of people have done well in your company?
- What is the company growth plans?
- What would be the next stage of the interview process?
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