Interview Preparation: Before, During & After

If you have just been scheduled for an interview, congratulations! Half the work has been done, and here is why. An employer, will mostly only, invite you for an interview if they believe you are packed with the skills to succeed at the job role and the company. However, the interview is to have a face-to-face chat with you (either online or physically), to make sure you are ready for the new role at the new company, this is why interview preparation is very important.

The interview is a formality to evaluate your preparedness for the new job role and see if you will be a fit for their company and to know if you are packed to add value to the team. This is why if you are looking to get job offers, not just have your journey cut short, you need to fight to have a chance and that chance will only exist through interview preparation.

Here is how you prepare for an interview and demonstrate how you are undeniably the best candidate for the job.

Before An Interview

Before you even have an opportunity to interview, there are some things you’ll need to do for the interview preparation and there are:

1. Research firm and industry

We often hear from recruiters that candidates don’t know enough about their company when they interview. Employers gauge your interest based on how much you know about the organization. This survey is an easy way to improve your interviewing skills.

• Find out as much information as possible about the job, company, and industry.

• Find out about current trends and events that may affect prospective employers. Check your organization’s website and social media activity.

• Get insider knowledge by talking to people in your organization, colleagues, faculty, or family on LinkedIn.

• Read the job description again and explain why you are the right person for the job.

2. Identify your goals and skills: Why do you want this job?

It’s important to keep your goals in mind and communicate them to your employer. You must be able to prove that you can support the needs of your business.

• Consider how your combination of work experience, personal qualities, and academic and extracurricular activities might qualify you for the position.

• Illustrate resume skills with an example using the SARA (situation, action, outcome, application) method.

• Identify transferable skills and associate experience with job requirements.

3. Opportunity to interview employers

The primary purpose of an interview is for the employer to evaluate you as a candidate, but it’s also one of the few opportunities to learn more about the employer. There are many aspects of work that can only be discovered by talking to employers.

• Ask yourself questions to help determine if this is the right position for you. Consider asking questions about their role, department, organization, and industry.

4. Practice interview skills

Many people practice job interviews by writing down answers to frequently asked questions.

Writing down your thoughts on paper can help, but the best way is to do it verbally, alone, or with a friend, mentor, or career adviser. Schedule a practice interview with a career counsellor to get feedback on your interview style, presentation, and body language. See if you can get on a practice interview program so you can practice and get feedback from professionals.

For independent practice in a virtual format, we recommend Big Interview, which can be accessed free of charge from the office. Practice answering interview questions by industry and role, record yourself and use self-assessment tools, and share videos with mentors and your friends to get feedback.

Run Through Your Final checklist

A few days before your interview, review the following checklist:

• Have you researched fields, organizations, and positions?

• Have you thought about your goals, values, and skills and how they fit into the opportunity?

• Have you made sure your online presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter is appropriate and professional?

• Do you know the interviewer’s name and title or other contact information?

• Have you dressed appropriately for the interview? 

• Do you know when and where the interview would take place and how best to get there?

• Have you practised answering common interview questions?

The Day Before An Interview

You have to have your mind in order the day before your interview, and run through a mental and physical checklist.

• Do you know when and where the interview would take place and how best to get there?

• Have you practised answering common interview questions?

• Have a final review of your memos, resume, cover letter, job descriptions, and company or industry profiles

• Know your route and how long it will take to get there.

• Please arrive with plenty of time to avoid being late.

• Be sure to dress professionally.

• Examine the clothes for stains and wrinkles. Look for scuff marks on your shoes. 

Prepare the following and have them neatly packed in your bag, ready to go:

• Multiple copies of your resume
  
• 3-4 professional references (separate from your CV)
  
• Notepad
  
• Pen/ Pencil
  
• Resume file folder

You are ready! Get enough sleep so you can be in top shape on the day of your interview.

The Interview

This is the day and moment when you show you have put in a lot of work and it is definitely going to pay off if you stick to your before-interview preparation and these tips below during the interview:

Remember…

• Arrive on time! Please arrive at least 10–15 minutes early.

• Bring any preparations you made the night before the interview.

• Be considerate and courteous to all employees. I don’t know who will inform the hiring decision.

• Turn off all mobile devices. Avoid using overpowering fragrances and jewellery that might distract your employer.

• Don’t smoke right before your interview.

• Before the interview, throw away any gum or mints.

• Smile

During:

• Listen carefully to the interlocutor.

• Be sure to answer the interviewer’s questions. Relate your skills, achievements, and goals to your organization’s needs.

• If possible, give specific examples using the SARA method (situation, action, result, application).

• Focus on the positive aspects of your training and experience. No need to apologize for a perceived lack of experience or background.

• Observe the people and office space to get a feel for the corporate culture. If you don’t know the contact information for the interviewer, request a business card so you can send a thank-you note.

Body language

Your posture, eye contact, and hand gestures all affect the impression you make on the interviewer. The following examples of appropriate body language and behavior specific to the US job market will help you evaluate your presentation.

Attitude

Your posture can convey confidence or insecurity. Sit up straight to show that you are comfortable and confident.

Eye contact

Maintain eye contact with the interviewer and other people in the room. If you give all your attention to one person, you will not be able to attract other interviewers.

Stay still

Don’t fidget. Only use your hands to express yourself in moderation.

Language

Be clear and direct. Do not use filler words such as “um” or “like” between phrases or sentences. Do not hike. Stop saying what you want to say! Silence is acceptable.

After the Interview

The truth is after the interview is another mental work, the guessing and wondering to know if your interview preparation paid off or is going to pay off. However, there is another checklist you need to go through:

• Send a thank-you note within 24 hours of the interview.

• Check out a sample thank-you note for inspiration.

• If you do not hear from the employer after the timeline they initially indicated, follow up professionally and only once.

• Call or email the interviewer or human resources representative and inquire about the position and the new hiring timeline.

• Evaluate your performance. Confused questions? Now it’s time to improve your answers for the next interview.

• After your initial interview, you may be recalled for additional interviews, depending on your employer’s procedures.

• If a job opening pops up right away, which is unusual, it’s appropriate to thank the employer and let them know you need more time to consider the opportunity.

At this point, ask about the company’s timeline and response deadline.

Remember, to stay calm, if you have done your proper preparation and you had a good interview, stay calm. I will also suggest, you do not put all your eggs in one basket until you are sure you got the job, keep searching and put in the appropriate amount of effort for every one of them. Good luck! and let us if these tips get got you that dream job, we are all for hearing good news.

Before you go…

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