What You Need to Know When Preparing for a Job Interview

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No matter what kind of position you’re searching for, preparing for a job interview is the crucial first step toward landing your dream job.
Regardless of whether you’re a fresh graduate taking your first steps into the professional arena or a seasoned pro looking for a fresh challenge, preparing for a job interview is a multifaceted endeavour that demands a comprehensive strategy.
The process of preparing for a job interview requires a long list of skills and insights, from the refinement of your resume and mastery of non-verbal cues to aligning yourself with company culture and being able to speak with confidence.
The reality is, you could have all the experience in the world, and a list of credentials a mile long, but if you’re not prepared for your interview, and you don’t know how to make a great first impression, chances are, you’re not going to get the job.
Time and time again, over our more than 30 years in the recruitment industry, we’ve seen candidates who aren’t properly prepared and don’t take the interview process seriously.
With that in mind, we wanted to publish an article on how to prepare for a job interview, offering everything you need to know to ace that job interview and finally find the job of your dreams.
So, if you’re looking for advice on preparing for a job interview, or want to learn how to make a great first impression, then you should definitely keep reading because this article is for you.
And if you want even more help with your job search, you should read our article on How to Write a Resume That Will Help You Stand Out.
Preparing for a Job Interview 101
In the highly competitive and fast-paced world of today’s job market, ensuring you’re properly prepared for your interview is the key to securing your dream career.
To make sure you’re fully equipped to ace that job interview and make the best possible impression, here are our top five tips on preparing for a job interview:
Research the Company and Role
One of the most critical steps in preparing for any job interview is conducting thorough research on both the company and the specific role you’re applying for.
This information will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the company’s culture, values, and mission, while allowing you to tailor your responses so they’re in alignment with the needs and goals of the employer who’s interviewing you.
Start by visiting the company’s website to find out more about them, and you should also do additional research, as well, like reading relevant news articles about the organization. In addition, make sure to take note of their products or services, target market, and any recent developments or achievements.
This research will demonstrate your genuine interest in the organization and help you formulate intelligent questions for the interviewers.
Regarding the role itself, make sure to carefully review the job description and requirements, taking note of the key responsibilities and qualifications required, and considering how your experience and skills align with the role.
This way, during the interview, you’ll be much better equipped to explain why you’re the ideal candidate.
It’s also important to mention that you should ensure that you’re well prepared for the interview, regardless of whether it’s with a recruitment agency like Excel Personnel, or you’re interviewing with an employer directly.
Far too many times, we’ve interviewed candidates who weren’t prepared for their interviews or didn’t even know that we’re a recruitment agency and thought they were applying for a job with our company.
This is always a very bad look, which can ruin your chances of making a great first impression, so make sure you’re well-versed in all these details before showing up for an interview.
Practice Your Responses
To perform well in a job interview, you need to be ready to confidently and clearly answer common questions.
Practicing your responses to typical interview questions will boost your confidence and ensure you can convey your qualifications effectively.
Make sure to develop concise, structured responses that highlight your skills and experiences, but avoid memorizing scripts, otherwise, your answers may seem overly rehearsed and inauthentic.
Instead, focus on conveying your achievements and passions naturally.
You should also consider conducting mock interviews with friends or family members to simulate the interview experience, as they can provide valuable feedback on your responses, body language, and overall presentation.
Additionally, recording yourself answering questions can also help you identify areas for improvement.
To help you prepare, here’s a list of some of the most common interview questions:
Tell me about yourself
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Why do you want to work for this company?
Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years?
Can you describe a challenging situation you faced at work and how you handled it?
What are your most significant professional achievements?
Why should we hire you?
How do you work in a team?
What is your approach to problem-solving?
Do you have any questions for us?
Prepare Relevant Questions
Like it or not, job interviews are a two-way street.
So, in addition to answering the interviewer’s questions, you should also be prepared with thoughtful questions of your own.
Interviewers are going to expect you to do this, and if you don’t have any questions prepared, it’s going to look like you’re not particularly interested in the position.
But this isn’t just for the benefit of employers. Not only does it show your genuine interest, but it also helps you evaluate whether the company and role align with your career goals and expectations.
Whatever you decide to ask, make sure to tailor your questions to the specifics of the company and role, demonstrating your commitment to making an informed decision.
If you’re not sure what to ask, here’s a list of some of the best questions to ask during an interview:
What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?
What are the short-term and long-term goals for this department or team?
Can you describe the company’s culture?
What does success look like in this role, and how is it measured?
What opportunities for professional development and growth does the company offer?
Can you tell me more about the team I’ll be working with?
How does the company handle feedback and performance reviews?
What is the next step in the interview process, and what is the expected timeline for a decision?
What are some examples of projects or initiatives that the team has recently worked on?
How would you describe the management style of the team or department head?
Get Ready to Be in Front of the Camera
In an era when remote work and virtual interactions have become the norm, you’ve got to be prepared to get in front of the camera for a remote interview.
For many, this can be incredibly nerve-wracking, but it’s certainly not any more difficult than meeting with an interviewer in person.
However, there are some special considerations you need to make if you want to be prepared for this kind of interview.
Typically, these meetings will take place via Zoom, or some other video conferencing software, so if you want everything to go smoothly, make sure you’re familiar with how these things work.
For instance, if you need to cough during the interview, it’s not the end of the world, but it’s going to look a lot better if you know how to mute your audio, so you can avoid interrupting the interviewer.
It’s also a good idea to test out your webcam, microphone, and internet connection well before the interview, and then again shortly before it takes place, so you can ensure everything works seamlessly.
Being well-prepared in this way not only saves time but also demonstrates your professionalism and adaptability.
A couple of other things to consider are lighting, and what’s visible in the background. A lack of proper lighting or an overly cluttered background can prevent you from making a great first impression, so make sure to do the interview in a clean, tidy, and well-lit area.
It’s also important to remember that during a remote interview, you should be presenting yourself just as you would during an in-person interview, both in terms of the way you dress and the way you act.
But keep in mind that during a remote interview, non-verbal cues, such as body language and eye contact, may not translate the same way that they would in person.
That being said, if possible, try to look into your camera lens while speaking, as this will give the impression that you’re making eye contact. Also, make sure to speak clearly, and allow for brief pauses so you don’t talk over the interviewer.
Dress and Behave Professionally
Whether it takes place online or in person, your appearance and behaviour during an interview are often as crucial as your qualifications. Dressing professionally and behaving with confidence and courtesy will create a positive impression.
With that in mind, you should choose your interview attire well in advance, making sure it’s clean, well-fitted, and appropriate for the company’s culture. When in doubt, it’s typically better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.
On the day of the interview, make sure to arrive early to account for any unforeseen delays.
When you get there, greet the receptionist and other staff members politely, as they might share their impressions with the hiring team.
During the interview, maintain good eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and listen attentively to the interviewers.
You should also take every opportunity to showcase your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude for the opportunity to be interviewed.
At the end of the day, dressing and acting appropriately conveys that you’re interested in the position, you’re taking the interview seriously, and you respect the company’s culture, and this can all make you a much more attractive candidate.
All things considered, preparing for a job interview is a multifaceted process that involves thorough research, understanding what questions you’ll be asked, practising your answers, formulation of insightful questions, a professional appearance and demeanour, and the ability to seamlessly participate in remote interviews.
Truth be told, there are a lot of things to consider, but by following these tips, you can enhance your readiness and confidence, increasing your chances of impressing interviewers and getting the job you’ve always wanted.
Are you looking for job opportunities in B.C.? Our professional recruiters and certified personnel consultants can help you to find the perfect placement. Contact us today to get started.