Interview Preparation

Introduction

Preparing the right way for an interview could be the difference between success and failure. If you prepare properly, everything else should go much more smoothly; you’ll be more relaxed on the day and able to be yourself.

In this article, we’ll be looking at all the checks you need to make before the interview, and also questions to think about in the run up to the big day.

Things to remember

Here is a quick checklist of the essential things you’ll need to have prepared before the interview:

Double-check the time, date and location of the interview.

Work out how you are going to get there. If you need to book train or bus tickets, do it well in advance.

Make sure you know how long it’ll take to get there and where it’s possible to park, if you’re taking a car. If it’s feasible, do a practice run.

Read through any information you have about the job. Also, look for any extra bits of information about the organisation, for example, on the internet, or maybe in local newspapers.

Have your clothes clean and ready so there are no last minute panics.

You should think about how you are going to present yourself. Ask yourself the following questions:

What do you want the interviewer to know about you?

What are you good at?

What can you contribute to the company or organisation?

What skills and abilities are you offering?

It’s a good idea to sit down and make a list of your strengths and weaknesses before you go to the interview. Make sure that you can back up your strengths with positive examples of how you have used them. Don’t worry if some of your strengths aren’t work-related. Home-based examples, if explained well, are just as good.

Also, try to think of a weakness that can also be presented as a strength. For example, if you think your weakness is impatience, you can turn this into a strength by showing how much energy and commitment there is behind your impatience.

What to wear

Different jobs require different standards of dress. This needs to be considered when going for a job interview. In general, it’s a good idea to dress more smartly in an interview than you would expect to if you were already working for the organisation that you’re applying to.

Often, dress codes are unspoken in companies and organisations, and that’s why it’s often best to be smarter than may be necessary during your first meetings with the employer.

Another good tip is to dress in a way that doesn’t make you stand out from the other people you’re hoping to work with, while at the same time showing them that you’ve made the effort to dress smartly and are keen to get the job.

Of course, there may be some industries where it is not necessary to dress so smartly for the interview. For example, fashion and entertainment jobs may have different standards for what’s acceptable compared to more mainstream industries.

You need to be the judge of what’s best to wear, but always bear in mind that it’s better to be too smartly dressed than to wear clothes too casual for the position you’re interested in. This could send the wrong message to the employer, as it may seem like you couldn’t be bothered to make the effort.

When researching the job you’re after, try and look at brochures or a website if one is available. You might be able to get a look at the way current employees dress. This will help you make a better-informed decision about what to wear for your interview.

The night before

A lot of your preparation can be done well in advance of the interview. However, there are a few things to check the day before to make sure the interview goes as smoothly as possible.

Read through your application form again to remind yourself of the questions and what your answers were. The interviewers will probably ask for more details about the things you wrote.

Think about the kinds of questions that you might be asked in an interview and try to work out some answers.

Think about what questions you might like to ask the interviewer, but don’t spend too long asking about pay and benefits. It’s fine to make a list of these questions and take it with you.

Get the clothes you’re going to wear ready the night before, or sooner if possible. The fewer things you have to think about on the day, the more relaxed you’ll be.

If needed, follow some relaxation techniques to help you get into the right frame of mind.

Most importantly, try to get a good night’s sleep!

Final thought

The only things you should be thinking about on the day of the interview is how well you’re going to come across, and how best to sell yourself. All other factors, such as how to get there, what to wear etc, should have been sorted out in advance.

If you’ve followed the advice above, you will have put yourself in a good position to succeed. Preparation is important in so many areas of life, and when it comes to interviews, it’s essential you put in the work beforehand so that you’re ready to perform at your best on the day.

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