How To Effectively Prepare For A Job Interview

After knowing the types of job interviews, it is time to get ready for that fateful moment; the interview. Here are some top preparation hacks to get you in great mental cue for your interview.

Research on the organization

Start your research early enough and note as much as possible about the organization including:

• Mission and vision of the company
• Client-base
• Founding history
• Number of staff
• Various departments and their roles
• Managerial structure
• Annual reports

and everything else that you can find on the internet about the organization.

You may not change your qualifications but you can improve your standing by going an extra mile by talking to the existing staff about their work experience in the company. You may also go a step further to find out the name of your interviewer and their position in the company beforehand.

Analyze the job

Find out what the company is seeking in a candidate by carefully going through the job description. Using this information, see how well you qualify and make a list of your assets and how you would benefit the company should you be hired.

Prepare responses

Anticipate what questions the interviewer will ask and prepare responses that sell your skills and qualifications to the interviewer. Common questions posed by the interviewer include:

• What are your weaknesses?
• Why should we hire you and not any other candidate?
• Why did you leave your previous job?
• What are your goals? 

Questions by the interviewer should be seen as a golden chance to sell yourself in the interview. Your response should outline your skills, ambition, and qualifications in a thoughtful way. When asked about your weaknesses, give a positive feedback on how you are working to improve on them e.g. by saying, I am always working to improve my communication skills. I have enrolled myself in a program and there's is good progress.

Practice with a friend 

This will help you be calm during the interview. Using the practice questions and the prepared responses, you will be able to gain a familiarity of what the hot-seat will be like so you won't be scrambling to find answers in that fateful moment. Allow your friend to give criticism to your feedback. Practicing in the mirror may also do the job

Prepare some questions for the interviewer

More often than not, you will be given a chance to pose questions to the interviewer. Use this chance to cover topics not covered by the interviewer such as more information about the company and its growth plan. Avoid personal questions that would peer into the interviewer's personal life such as age,  Sample questions include:

• What are the next steps in the hiring process?
• How will my performance be evaluated?
• What are the opportunities for advancement?
• In your opinion, why is this a good place to work?

Prepare what to wear

The first impression matters a lot when it comes to a job interview. Your papers will speak for themselves but if you are not neat, you might as well have had left your papers at home. Your attire should portray great professionalism and how you handle yourself. A conservative business attire such as a neutral suit and official, professional shoes should do. In the night before the interview, ensure that your attire is ironed and shoes well polished.

Prepare what you'll carry with you in advance

A portfolio is a great way to package all the things you'll carry with you to the interview. It should be neat and well organized for easy reference. Contents widely vary as per the requirements and preferences. It may include:

• The cover letter
• A reference page
• Multiple copies of your resume
• Copies of letters of recommendation
• Copies of educational certificates
• Copies of awards
• List of references
• Work samples, where applicable

Other things to carry include:

• A notepad and a pen.
• List of questions to ask
• Identification- for building entrance security reasons.

It is important to note that you can almost never prepare exhaustively for an interview as the interviewers will always find new angles to pose questions to you. The secret, therefore, is to be attentive, calm and give responses that emphasize on how qualified for the job and how the company stands to gain from your input. A thoughtful candidate who knows their strengths and understands their path is what all employers are looking for. Qualities are what interviewers are most interested in aside from the numerous skills, experience, and qualifications that almost all the candidates share.

Additional tips
When waiting to be interviewed, your behavior may be monitored. Therefore, be as professional as possible. Avoid playing around with your mobile phone as this may portray boredom. If need be, leave the phone in the car. This also reduces the risk of distraction during the interview. MW01