Preparing for an interview
Preparing for an interview primarily means taking time to thoughtfully
consider your goals and qualifications relative to the position and employer.
To accomplish this, you should perform research on the company and
carefully review the job description to understand why you would be a good
fit. Let us look at the steps to preparing for an interview.
1. Carefully examine the job description
During your prep work, you should use the employer’s posted job description
as a guide. The job description is a list of the qualifications, qualities, and
background the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. The more you
can align yourself with these details, the more the employer will be able to
see that you are qualified. The job description may also give you ideas about
questions the employer may ask throughout the interview.
2. Consider why you are interviewing and your qualifications
Before your interview, you should have a good understanding of why you
want the job and why you are qualified. You should be prepared to explain
your interest in the opportunity and why you are the best person for the role.
3. Perform research on the company and role
Researching the company, you are applying to is an important part of
preparing for an interview. Not only will it help provide context for your
interview conversations, but it will also help you when preparing thoughtful
questions for your interviewers.
Researching the company and role as much as possible will give you an edge
over the competition. Not only that, but fully preparing for an interview will
help you remain calm so that you can be at your best. Here are a few things
you should know before you walk into your interview:
Research the product or service:
Even if the role is not directly related to the company's product or service,
you are still looking to be part of the team. It is important to learn all you can
about the product or service the company produces and promotes. You do
not necessarily need to understand each detail, especially if it is a technical
product, and you're interviewing for a non-technical position, but you should
have a basic understanding of the main products or services the company
offers.
If possible, request a sample of the product to familiarize yourself with the
customer’s perspective. The more you can tell them about the product from
both a company and customer standpoint, the better you will perform in your
interview.
Research the role
It is important to read the job description carefully and make sure that you
understand all the requirements and responsibilities that go along with it.
This will not only prepare you with thoughtful, targeted questions about the
position during the interview, but it will ensure that you are truly qualified
and prepared to tackle the responsibilities if you get the job.
If possible, research similar positions and read reviews from individuals in
those positions, so you can get an idea of what the day-to-day activities will
be. During the interview, ask for clarification or details about the role, so you
can be sure you are ready should you receive a job offer. Researching the
role before an interview will also help you to decide whether the position is
right for you.
Research the company culture
Modern companies usually have social media accounts and blogs that
discuss their company culture and industry. This information can give you an
impression of the tone and personality of the company, as well as what they
value. No matter how good a job seems, it's important that you fit within the
company culture and share a similar personality and values.
If you have questions about the workplace environment, culture, personality,
or values, be sure to ask during the interview. These questions can range
from the software and tools used by the company to their policies on
vacation and sick time. Remember that the interview is just as much about
you finding a good fit for your own work environment as it is about the
company finding a good fit for the role. Knowing that your values align with
the company ensures a happy professional life. This is also the perfect
opportunity to find out more about the company and show the interviewer
how you will fit.
4. Consider your answers to common interview questions
While you won’t be able to predict every question you’ll be asked in an
interview, there are a few common questions you can plan answers for. You
might also consider developing an elevator pitch that quickly describes who
you are, what you do and what you want.
There are some jobs that may involve a test or evaluation during the
interview process. For example, if you are interviewing for a computer
programming, development, or analytics role, you might also be asked to
write or evaluate lines of code. It might be helpful to consult with colleagues
in the industry for examples of tests they have been given to prepare.
Here are a few examples of common interview questions:
Why do you want to work here?
The best way to prepare for this question is to learn about the products,
services, mission, history and culture of the company. In your answer,
mention the aspects of the company that appeal to you and align with your
career goals.
Example: “I’d love the opportunity to work with a company that’s making a
difference. Finding a company with a positive work environment and values
that align with my own has remained a priority throughout my job search,
and this company ranks at the top of the list.”
What interests you about this role?
Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the role, and to
give you the opportunity to highlight your relevant skills. It can be helpful to
compare the role requirements against your skills and experience. Choose a
few things you particularly enjoy or excel at, and focus on those in your
answer.
Example: “I’ve been passionate about user experience design for most of
my professional career. I was excited to see this company uses Adobe
products because I am well-versed in the entire suite. Also, I am a huge
advocate for applying agile workflows to design. I think it is the most
effective way to tackle large projects. I was able to successfully build and
launch an agile process in my previous role as UX manager, and we saw
considerable improvements in project speed.”
What are your greatest strengths?
This question gives you an opportunity to talk about both your technical and
soft skills. When an interviewer asks you to describe your strengths, share
qualities and personal attributes and then relate them back to the role for
which you are interviewing.
5. Practice your speaking voice and body language
It is important to make a positive and lasting impression during the interview
process. You can do this by practicing a confident, strong speaking voice and
friendly, open body language. While these might come naturally to you, you
might also want to spend time performing them with trusted friends or family
or in front of a mirror. Pay special attention to your smile, handshake, and
stride.
Source: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-
for-an-interview
