Preparing Properly for an Interview
There is nothing that I find more frustrating than a person that comes to an interview
unprepared. For me, coming to an interview fully prepared shows that you are really
interested in the job, that you are serious, and that you are willing to put in the extra time
and effort required.
So how should you prepare for an interview? I start off by carrying out the following
research:
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The company – Check out their website and conduct a Google search (especially
for recent news). What do they do? What is the company vision? When were they
founded? How big is the team and who are the key players? Do you have any
connections to people in the company? What are some recent developments
they have made (new features, new hires, new funding, etc.)? Read articles
about the company. Watch any videos they have released. Read through their
blog and recent press releases. Carefully review their website and community
pages (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn). Use their product, and write down things
you like or dislike.
The person interviewing you – what is their position? How long have they been
with the company? What type of person are they? What is their background? Are
they well connected? Check their Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Do you have
any people or groups or interests in common?
The position – understand the position you are applying for. Which department
you are going to be working in? Is it a big team or does it only have a few
people? For each requirement they’ve asked for, write down which skill set or
experiences match up. And try to find examples of similar things you have done
successfully in the past.
Whilst you’re doing your research, be sure to write down any questions you may have.
You should be interviewing the interviewee at the same time as they are interviewing
you. Yes. Listening in an interview is not less important than speaking.
Then ask yourself the following questions:
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Why am I a fit for this position?
Why should they hire me?
Why do I want to work at this company specifically?
How is my experience and skill set relevant to the position?
Where would I like to see myself in the company?
What are my salary expectations? (most employers will ask for a range)
What type of employee do I want to be? – Do I work well individually or am I best
in a team?
What type of boss would I like to have? – Someone that I work closely with and
that micromanages or someone I have little interaction with and lets me get
things done on my own?
What are 3 of my strengths?
What are 3 of my weaknesses? (make sure that you can represent them as
positives– I’m a workaholic, I’m a perfectionist etc.)
Make sure you write everything down, and that you take the time to do the research and
answer the questions properly.
When you go to an interview, you need to show the interviewee that you are serious
about the position and that you are ready to do what it takes to succeed at it, so be sure
to prepare accordingly. Dress accordingly – one level above the company dress code.
Whilst you’re in your interview, be sure to:
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Be early, give yourself enough time to get prepared there, and if you think you’re
going to be late, even by a few minutes, make sure you call ahead.
Take notes and write things down – make sure to bring a piece of paper and pen
with you (or tablet). And extra copies of your resume.
Bring examples of your work – if you are a graphic designer, bring a portfolio; if
you are a programmer, make a list of websites or products you worked on; if you
do marketing, show successful campaigns you have done.
Be attentive during the interview – make eye contact, make sure you turn your
phone off or on silent before you walk in, don’t look at your phone or the time, try
and stay focused
Be yourself – don’t try and show off too much or seem annoyingly confident
Speak slowly, clearly and articulate what you want to say – think before you
speak and try not to get nervous and say umm too much.
Be presentable – come presentable, dress nicely, sit up straight, don’t chew gum
Be confident – show the interviewer that you know you are the right person for
the job and prove it to them, don’t just think it.
Show them that you want it – show that you are interested in the job, in the
company, in working with the team, in the manager, and in the vision of the
company and the direction it is going. How? Think in advance of relevant
recommendations for the position you are being interviewed for. How would you
do it? What would you do if you got the job?
Show you are willing to do what it takes – tell them about your work ethic, your
interest in working your way up the ladder and that you are not afraid of hard
work
Ask questions – make sure you’ve come prepared with questions and that you
ask something at the end – but ones that really interest you, not questions for the
sake of having them.
Come prepared with good referrals who will recommend you.
Make sure you can answer the following. If you can’t, be sure to ask the question:
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What responsibilities does the role entail?
What will be your exact duties?
What type of management style does your direct manager have?
What opportunities are there for moving up?
Which other departments or team members would you be working with? (Try to
meet them if possible)
What are the most important traits that the manager is looking for?
Does the company do any events for the staff?
How many members are there in the department and team you will be working
in?
What are the hours?
What is expected from the employees?
What does a normal work day look like?
If you are asked about salary, or if this is your second interview, ask what other
benefits are included (lunch, insurance, pension funds, a car, a laptop etc.)
When it comes down to it, just be sure that you are honest, you are yourself, and that you
are confident.
No one likes their time wasted so be sure that you really want the job and that you are
capable of doing it.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes!