4 Top Tips to Prepare for a Job Interview
Date: October 16th, 2018
Many job seekers wrongly assume that they have landed a job after passing a job test. They think that interview is just a formality. But the fact is that how you perform during the interview will determine whether they are hired.
Preparing well for an interview is equally important as preparing for a test. In this post, you will learn about some important tips that will help you to prepare well for an interview.
1. Find Out More about the Employer
The foundation of a successful interview starts with a search about the prospective employer. You should find out all the information available online regarding the employer. Know when the company was established. Find out who the customers and competitors are. Identify the main product or services of the company.
The more you know about the company, the better you can tackle company-related questions during the interview. The fact is that most interviewers ask questions relating to the company. So, you need to gather as much information as you can about the company using a search engine, published material, and contacts working in the company.
2. Dress Appropriately for the Job
Another important interview tip is to prepare well for the job. You should project a professional appearance during the interview. While it's not necessary to come to the interview in a three-piece suit, you should not dress down during the interview.
Choose formal attire for the interview. Men should wear a dress shirt, pants, and coordinating socks and shoes. Women should wear blazer or letter sweater over blouse and skirt that does not exceed about four inches above the knee.
3. Non-verbal Communication
From the start of the interview, the interviewer will be paying attention to your non-verbal gestures. So, it's important that you know about proper non-verbal communication.
Upon entering the room, you should smile and give a firm handshake. Maintain eye contact but avoid staring at the interviewer. Posture also counts during the interview. You should sit up straight and avoid slouching your shoulders. Don't cross your arms in front of you in a defensive posture.
Also, you should maintain proper expression throughout the interview. Avoid smiling too much and try to keep a serious expression as it projects a professional image.
4. Anticipate Questions
While interviewers can ask anything out of the blue, there are certain questions that almost always get asked during the interview. Some of the questions that are commonly asked during an interview include the following:
- What do you know about the company?
- Why should we hire you?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
- Why do you want to leave the current job?
- What was your salary in your last job?
- Why do you want to work here?
Above all, you must remain confident during the interview. Your attitude will greatly impact how you answer your questions. If you have prepared well for the interview, you will not have any difficulty in acing the interview. Whether you have to give an interview for a postal office job, an IT position, an EMT specialist, or any other position, the tips mentioned here will help you during the interview.