2022 SOFT SKILLS GUIDE

Course 5: Job Search

Interview Preparation Tips

An interview can be the gateway to a great job. The key to doing well in an interview lies in the interview preparation. No one is naturally ready for an interview, even if you know all your experiences by heart. You need to prepare for every interview so that you can show the following:

  • You’ve done research on the company, and understand current news surrounding it.
  • You know why you’re a good candidate for that particular position and are prepared to tell credible stories about how your experiences support your candidacy.
  • You’ve prepared meaningful questions to find out more about the company.
  • You’re prepared to answer unexpected questions with calm and clarity.

With this said, here are 7 Interview Preparation Tips – What To Do Prior To An Interview:

  1. Do your homework on the company, product line, and the hiring manager. Read the hiring manager’s bio if available online or through a Google or Linkedin search.
  2. Give yourself extra time. Print out directions, address and phone numbers. Arrive five minutes before the interview start time.
  3. Eat in advance of the interview. Sometimes interviews run long, which is what you want. You don’t want to run out of steam.
  4. Dress appropriately. Ask about dress code with the recruiter before the interview (if possible). If not, err on the side of overdressing. Some people say a suit is always a safe bet.
  5. Be able to give examples of at least three solid and measurable accomplishments that go beyond daily tasks, and how they show that you have the right hard skills for this job.
  6. Be prepared to give examples that demonstrate your people skills. These would be the answers to behavior questions, like “tell me a time when you managed a difficult person, and how it turned out OR tell me a time you disagreed with your boss, and how you resolved it.”
  7. Prepare questions in advance about the company, position, challenges, etc. This is key. Remember: you’re interviewing the company as much as they’re interviewing you. Asking insightful questions will also give the interviewer the impression that you’re enthusiastic about the job.

8 Interview Preparation Tips – To Read Prior To An Interview and Practice in Mock Interviews

  1. Don’t be negative about your last employers. This is a big red flag for hiring managers.
  2. Your energy and enthusiasm is important to show so be aware of this.
  3. Be aware of your body language. E.g. Lean forward into a conversation, show interest and be engaged.
  4. Always reference specific examples when speaking about your background. Answer using “I” instead of “we”. The potential employer wants to know what you specifically did and not the team.
  5. Be concise in answering. Run-on answers will quickly eliminate you. If you have more info to share, ask the interviewer if they would like to hear more before launching into a long explanation.
  6. Make it a conversation, if appropriate. This depends on the interview format and interviewer’s style. If they lay out a very structured format for the interview (e.g. I will give you two cases and then leave five minutes for your questions), then don’t try to make the interview a conversation. However, if the interviewer is relaxed about the interview’s structure then making it more of a dialogue will give the interviewer a chance to get to know you better and make the whole experience more pleasant for both of you. Make sure you use the bio info you’ve researched.
  7. When wrapping up a conversation with an interviewer, ask them how you qualify for the position, and if they have any concerns. This is your best opportunity to correct any misconceptions or miscommunications. Remember, first impressions, even if incorrect, are difficult to reverse.
  8. At the end of the interview, if you’re engaged and interested in the opportunity, ask about next steps.

At the end of the day, practice, practice, practice. Just like any skill, the ability to interview well takes time and practice to master. It’s not good to memorize your answers, as the interviewer may not ask the exact same question you prepared for, and you’ll sound stiff. So, practice for both typical interview questions and unexpected questions. Practice in front of the mirror; practice with a free audio service (you can record your answers and listen to them to see how you sound), practice with a friend. You’ll be able to catch common mistakes, and avoid making them in the actual interview.