Secured an interview for your dream job? Congratulations! The fact that you’ll be meeting face-to-face with your potential employer is a huge achievement.
It means you’ve cut through the noise of the email correspondence stage, and you’re now within a more select group of potential candidates. But how do you close the deal from here, by impressing your future employers so much that they have no choice but to offer you the role?
Here are six things you should do before your interview:
1. Research the company
First and foremost: find out everything you can about the company, such as its history, activities, values and ethics, goals and performance. As well as reading the company website and any other related articles and media coverage you can find, see if anyone in your network is in the industry and knows more about the company. Being able to answer interview questions in the context of the company will drive home your interest in the role, and shows that you have initiative to do your homework before embarking on a task.
2. Read and reread the job description
A close second after step one above is to go into your interview knowing exactly what the job will require. Knowing the job description inside out will allow you to think about the specific strengths and aptitudes you’ll need to fulfil the role successfully. Read and reread the job description, unpack it in detail and think of specific examples of past work experience you’ve had that will apply here.
3. Choose your outfit by observing the company culture
You may think that men should always wear a black suit and tie to an interview and women should always wear a skirt and jacket, but this may not necessarily be the case. For example, if the potential company is a startup with a very relaxed dress code of jeans and trainers, you’ll look out of place. This can also send a signal to your potential employer that you don’t understand the company culture and that you’re not a natural fit. Find out what the company culture and dress code is beforehand – then take it one notch higher. So, if jeans and trainers are the norm, wear jeans and a blazer. If it’s business casual, wear a suit with a tie if you’re a man, or a jacket and skirt if you’re a woman.
4. Take care of your personal hygiene
You may want to pretend otherwise, but the truth is that in a job interview environment, first impressions do count. For this reason, make sure your personal grooming is in order so you can feel as comfortable and confident as possible during the interview. Wear clean clothes that fit you well (and that breathe well too in case you’re inclined to perspire), brush your teeth, make sure your hair is out of the way, and layer on that deodorant if you’re interviewing in warmer weather.
5. Rehearse – out loud
When preparing for an interview, most people will think of questions they’re likely to be asked and then rehearse their answers in their head beforehand. But saying the answers out loud can be far more effective in preparing yourself and giving you more confidence for the actual event. Stand in front of a mirror at home (while no one else is around!) and practice saying your answers out loud to yourself – the rewards will be worth it even if you feel silly.
6. Prepare your own questions
In most cases, your interviewer will also ask you if you have any questions for them. The last thing you want is to be stumped for questions, as it may convey that you’re not really interested in the role. Think about one or two things to ask beforehand, and make sure that they aren’t answered on the company website or in the job description you already have. Asking questions also has the added bonus of allowing you to recenter yourself and take some deep breaths in the middle of the interview while you listen to the answers.
Being prepared for a job interview can be the biggest success factor in crossing the finish line and landing your dream job. While it’s normal to feel nervous and self-conscious, if you make mental and physical preparations such as those mentioned above, you’re more likely to interview well and impress your potential bosses.
Provided by Fedhealth.
Sources:
https://www.success.com/article/5-things-to-do-before-your-next-job-interview
