Tips on Preparing for Job Interviews
Congratulations, you’ve been invited for an interview for a job you’ve applied for! Perhaps the nerves are starting to set in as you begin to contemplate the task ahead of you and wonder how you will possibly be ready for the day. It can feel as though there’s so much at stake, particularly if this seems like the perfect job for you and/or you haven’t had an interview for a long time. Hopefully, this article will help with some practical advice and preparation tips for your interview.
It’s all about your mindset…
Ask yourself ‘What is my current mindset for this job?’. If you’re starting to doubt yourself and wonder whether you can do it, STOP RIGHT THERE! After all, they have invited you to interview, so they must have seen something in your application that they like and they want to know more.
Adopt a mindset instead of knowing that you have so much to offer in the role and it being an opportunity to showcase your abilities. Seeing it as a two-way process can also help take the pressure off – you are learning as much about them as an employer and deciding if the role is right for you, just as much as they are learning about you.
Preparation is key
Being well prepared for an interview is key to how confident you will feel on the day. Take time to research the company, the role and the interviewers as thoroughly as possible. Go through the job description and person specification. Make notes against all of the key criteria and come up with examples to show how you demonstrate that you meet each one. This might be from your current job, a previous one, or something linked to other activities you take part in or volunteering. Write down some likely interview questions and your answers, based on the competencies they are looking for, your application responses and the company / department. This will pay dividends when it comes to answering competency-based interview questions.
Think through answers to some standard interview questions, such as:
Why have you applied for this position? – demonstrate your enthusiasm for specific aspects of the role and the company.
What will your biggest challenges be in the role? – think through real challenges, but not insurmountable ones, and if you can, show awareness of how you will resolve the challenge.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time? – be clear about your career goals and find connections between the role you have applied for and these goals.
Prepare some questions that you’d like to ask at the interview – ones that demonstrate the research you have done so far and your interest in the company.
A couple of days before your interview…
Start planning for the big day itself to help with your confidence, including:
How will you get there and if driving, is there parking?
How long will your journey take and what time do you need to leave? Build in some buffer time
What will you wear? – get it washed and ready.
If it’s a video interview, what platform will be used? Can you have a tech trial beforehand, either with the company or with someone you know? Plan the room you will use and check how the background looks on camera, as well as the lighting.
Go through your interview notes and research. Ask if someone can help you with a mock interview so that you can practise saying your answers out aloud.
On the day itself…
Eat a good breakfast/lunch and bring water with you
Try a short breathing exercise to help calm your nerves
Allow plenty of time so that you’re not flustered when you get there – try to arrive 5-10 minutes early
Bring your interview research notes and CV/application, in case you get there earlier than needed
Remember to smile!
Hopefully, these tips will help you to feel more in control of the interview process and help you to perform at your best.
Would you like further help with your interviews?
If you’d like help to develop your interview skills, interview training and coaching can pay dividends in supporting you to overcome the things you find most tricky. A mock interview can have a huge impact in helping you to become interview confident. To find out more about my interview coaching services, see:
