Whether you are a first-time job seeker or a seasoned professional, you should always know how to prepare for an interview. Especially now that many lost their jobs ever since COVID-19 pandemic started. Job seekers are struggling to find potential employers. Making the job search and job interview game doubled the struggle.
Nowadays, most job interviews are done via phone or online video call. Only few companies invite their interviewees for an in-person interview for safety reasons or health protocols. For some, online interview is the convenient way since they don’t have to travel to the office location. All they have to do is prepare their gadgets and internet connection to take that job interview call. This may be the new normal but, both scenarios are still nerve-wracking. We have no choice but to adapt and brave through.
This is why we’ve compiled a list just for you in order to get your job search going this 2021. Read below for practical job interview tips.
1. Confirm
This is the first thing for our job interview tips. If you’ve been invited for a job interview, consider yourself blessed because this means you’ve passed the first part of the screening process. Now, this is the first thing you have to do. Confirm your attendance for the interview. This will let the interviewer know you are accepting their invitation and that they have to secure a schedule for you. This is also an important part of how to prepare for an interview because learning the time and date of their invite will help you if you need to reschedule the job interview.
2. Research
Research is a very important part of how to prepare for an interview. When we apply for a job, researching the company and the job description should be automatic. We have to be aware of the company’s mission, vision, values, and the job vacancy. Try to look at the company’s website and recent social media posts. This will help you understand the company’s goals and how your professional experiences make you a good fit for the company.
It’s also an advantage to know and research about the job role. Know what they are specifically looking for and then when it’s time for your interview, you can highlight the skills and experiences you have relevant to the job you are applying for.
After researching about the company and the job role, go research about the interviewer—this is an addition to our job interview tips. Know their name and their role in the company. Usually, interviewers include their information in their email invite. You can politely address them by their name when you’re talking to them. It will help you build rapport with the interviewer.
3. Practice
Practice answering common job interview questions is another thing included in our job interview tips. You can write your answers to potential questions the interviewer can ask you about. You can also familiarize yourself with using the START method when answering questions. This is for behavioral interview questions and assesses how you respond to certain work situations.
Start by structuring your response by stating the previous situation you were in. Followed by the task or role you played in that situation. And then tell the action you’ve done for that task. Then highlight the result on a positive note for better impact. Finally, tie it all together and connect your story to the company and role you’re applying for.
You can also practice talking to yourself in the mirror. Pretend you’re being interviewed; this will help you know what you will look like on the video chat. Practicing a lot before the actual interview also helps you to be more confident and sound more articulate when telling something about yourself. This will surely impress your interviewer. During this new normal, practicing will help you not only on how to prepare for an interview but also be more familiar and confident with this new process.
4. Prepare
Preparation is also a significant part of the job interview tips. Writing a checklist before your scheduled interview can take away some of the pressure building up. The things you should include in your checklist are equipment, background, outfits, and questions to ask.
Make sure your equipment is ready and functioning properly. Check if your laptop or whichever gadget you will use for the interview can connect to your internet connection. Also, setup your background. Ideally, your background should be a plain wall or any backdrop that won’t cause distraction to your interviewer. If you live with family or other people, let them know you have scheduled meeting and would appreciate less noise.
Getting your outfit ready beforehand is a fun thing to take your mind off for a moment from the stress of preparation. Even if it’s going to be an online virtual meeting, you can still dress up. It will show your hiring manager you are enthusiastic about the job interview. Just avoid picking outfits that are not suited for the video chat interview.
Last thing to prepare are questions to ask the hiring manager at the end of the interview. This shows your genuine interest in the position and company. So, when the day of your interview arrives, you can relax and be confident as you have prepared yourself for the essentials mentioned above ahead of time.
5. Follow-up after the interview
Finally, after having your job interview, wait a few days and follow-up your interviewer by sending a thank-you note. It is the last thing for our job interview tips. Express your gratitude to them for taking the time to speak with you and the things they’ve shared with you about the company and the job vacancy. This shows you are serious about pursuing the job and be part of the company. After doing all these things and giving your best efforts in the interview, give yourself a pat on the back and relax.
These are helpful tips on how to prepare for an interview. Following them is just a step toward your dream job. Remember: Being well prepared is just one thing that can impress your potential employer. Another important part of your journey toward your dream job is to have a resume that stands out. This will help you land an interview with your desired company. Resume Professional Writers can help you write a resume that highlights your skills and experiences. Check out our resume writing services to see how we can craft a winning resume to help you land your target job or contact us today!
SOURCES: forbes.com | themuse.com
