How to Prepare for a Job Interview
An interview is your chance to prove to a prospective employer that you are capable of performing in a role. Whilst it is imperative to make sure that you’ve gathered as much information, it is important to remember that an interview should be a two way process; an opportunity for the employer to meet you as well as an opportunity for you to understand the employer. Interviews will help you make an informed decision about joining the company if you are eventually offered the job. For this reason it is vital to be yourself and enjoy the exchange of information and aim to get as much out of the meeting as you can.
Information
- Visit the company website for key business information. Use search engines to identify recent press or product launches pertaining to the company, competitors and industry. Speak to friends and relatives who have experiences with the company. Identify your ‘fit’ with the company and industry.
- Research on the position that is being offered. Look for descriptions and understand the job scope. Prepare for possible questions relating to the job. Identify your strengths that enable you to be effective on the job and have an understanding of possible weaknesses.
- Find out more about your interviewer(s). If you want to sell something to someone, you would need to know a little of the person’s background in order to “tailor” your offering to suit him/her. Furthermore, it will be useful from a conversation perspective and provides dimension when understanding the interviewer’s replies.
- Search for the location of the office for the interview. Prepare you travel route.
Rehearsal
- Run through a mock interview session with a trusted friend.
- Be prepared to share information about yourself and your career. Questions usually range from the objective to the subjective.
Remember
- Choose an attire that presents you well and reflects the position you hope to fill. As the saying goes, “clothes maketh a man”. How we dress speaks volumes about ourselves. Looking great does not mean buying expensive clothes. A professional attire that fits well is all you need. It is always best to appear formal; this means a jacket for ladies, a shirt and tie for men, and no loud prints. It is better to dress conservatively for interviews. Lastly, pay attention to the small details that are sometimes overlooked: Are your shoes well polished? Is your shirt missing a button? Is your breath fresh?
- Bring along extra copies of your resume, reference letters, and certificates to “back up” your resume as well as other supporting documents which will help set the foundation of credibility. It could be a rather clumsy and awkward moment should the interviewer ask for supporting documents and you do not have it with you.
- Get a good night’s sleep before the interview. You’ll want to be mentally prepared.
References
Vertext Resourcing, ‘Preparing for a job interview’, http://www.vertexresourcing.com/index.php?page_id=1002
Connecticut Department of Labour, Office of Research, ‘The Interview Process’, http://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/jcc/viewarticle.asp?intArticle=9
Interview Tips, http://www.interviewtips.org
IBM Career Resource Centre, ‘Interview Tips’, http://www-07.ibm.com/employment/sg/career/interview_tips.html
Monster Career Advice, ‘Interview’, http://career-advice.monster.com/interview-tips/home.aspx
Adecco, ‘Interview Tips’, http://www.adecco-asia.com/singapore/job_seeker_resources.asp
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