How To Prepare For A Job Interview

By Alan Leach
How to prepare for a job interview

Are you sick of endless job interviews where you are sure you are the best candidate for the job but for some reason you never get over that final nerve-racking hurdle? If so, knowing how to prepare for a job interview might be just what you need. While your academic or work qualifications may be second to none, unless you are aware of how to prepare for that all-important job interview, it is unlikely you will land that dream job.

Knowing how to prepare for a job interview may seem like it takes as much time and effort as the job for which you are applying, but in these days of frequent career changes it pays to do it right.

The first step in preparing for a job interview requires finding out about the job itself, as well as the company you wish to work for. Many an otherwise flawless performance at the interview has been destroyed by not knowing company X is the second biggest in the state, rather than the third! Preparing for the job interview requires you to therefore do your homework into the company and to be able to illustrate this knowledge in the interview itself.



Fist impressions are important, so anyone preparing for a job interview must ensure their appearance is suitable. Looking smart and professional may not be enough these days. Preparing for a job interview may also require you try to find out how others in the organization dress. It may seem a trivial point, but if you can appear to fit in immediately with the company culture, it will give you an advantage over your rival candidates.

One of the best ways to prepare for a job interview is to try to get together with someone already working for the company. You could try to find out if the employees have drinks at a certain bar after work for example and 'accidentally' try to initiate a conversation.

While you cannot be certain about the questions that will come up during the interview, there are several 'favourites' beloved by employers everywhere, and it pays to prepare for these. While you are preparing for the job interview, write down possible questions and get friends or relatives to test you frequently. Common questions will relate to how you see your personality, how you view team work, and your future goals and aspirations. Preparing for the job interview also requires you to prepare your own questions. Spend time on this, as the interviewer will be looking for you to ask thoughtful and intelligent questions. At the interview stage, it might be best to avoid all mention of salary requirements.

Any guide on how to prepare for a job interview must also mention relaxation techniques. While it is inevitable you will feel nervous, simple steps such as drinking plenty of water and slow breathing just before you enter the interview room are sure to give your preparation an edge. Interviewers are looking for candidates who exude confidence and self-assuredness. Practise maintaining eye contact with the people you are speaking to and make sure you don't fidget or fiddle!

Finally, make sure you arrive in good time. For those of you who really want to prepare for a job interview and leave nothing to chance, have a dry run a few days early, to make sure you know where it is you're going and how long it will take.



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