A job interview is without a doubt one of the most stressful events in a person’s adult life. Fear of the unknown, public rejection, and personal criticism all collide in one meeting, and having a potential career attached to it doesn’t always make things better. So, how should you go about getting ready for a job interview? It’s usually a mix of thorough research, psychology, and the ability to think quickly on your feet. That job will go to someone, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be you.
Doing extensive research is one way to prepare for a job interview. You should learn everything you can about the job’s requirements, the company’s product lines, the industry’s average salary for the position, the interviewer, and anything else you can. An interviewer’s job is to not only recommend the most qualified candidates, but also to eliminate the ones who aren’t. Knowledge of the company and your unique qualifications for the position are your best allies when it comes to preparing for a job interview.
Working on your personal presentation skills is another way to prepare for a job interview. Don’t put off taking care of your personal grooming until the day of the interview. If you’ve recently changed your appearance to appear more professional, interviewers will notice. Make sure your clothes are wrinkle-free and fit properly. Wearing an uncomfortable suit and tie during a job interview may have an impact on how you conduct yourself.
Examine how you speak and interact with others as you prepare for a job interview. Do you have a clear way of expressing yourself? Do you pay attention to what others have to say? Interviewers will notice these things, as well as a lack of eye contact or unusually short answers.
Some job seekers conduct their own mock interviews to prepare for a job interview. Surrogate interviewers can be a trusted friend or even a professional job coach who asks many of the same questions as a real interviewer. These individuals may be able to provide objective feedback on your performance. Trouble spots like a defensive body posture or poor listening skills may go unnoticed. Someone who has previously conducted interviews may be able to assess your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to improve before the actual interview date.
There are also a plethora of resources available to assist job seekers in preparing for an interview. Self-help tapes and books on job searching may be available at a public library. Many cities have programs to assist displaced or first-time workers in finding employment. They might provide classes on how to prepare for a job interview or hire job coaches to conduct mock interviews. Because preparation is the key to a successful job interview, you should treat any job interview with the same importance as the job it represents.