The key to a successful interview is your preparation. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will come across during your interview, increasing your chances of success.
The short time you spend in an interview can dramatically impact whether you get the job and your career prospects. That’s why it’s so important to perform at your best and leave an excellent first impression.
So, what can you do to prepare for an interview?
Below are 9 essential steps to prepare for a successful interview:
- Review the job ad and position description
Your first step of preparation is to thoroughly re-read the Job Ad and position description (assuming you read and referred to it before you applied for the job).
This is so you enter the interview with an in-depth understanding of the role and expectations. The better your understanding of the job and the expectations of the role, the better you can tailor your responses to the interview questions.
If the position description has not been included, you could either ask for it to be sent to you before your interview, or you can search for the position online.
The key is to align your skills and experience to the requirements of the role, as you need to confidently demonstrate to the interviewer that you can do the job.
- Ensure you are familiar with your resume
Review your resume and cover letter to refresh your memory of your work experience. You need to confidently speak about your previous work experience, projects, skillset and strengths and how you can apply these to the role.
- Do your research
Do as much research as you can about the job and the company you’re applying to. Investigate the company’s website and social media platforms so you understand what they do and who they are.
This research will assist you when responding to interview questions. It will help you answer questions like “What do you know about our company?” or “Why would you like to work for us?”
- Rehearse your answers
Put thought into your responses prior to the interview.
Through asking questions, the interviewer is trying to determine why you are interested in the job or the company, what you can offer them, and whether you can do the job.
Although you cannot exactly know what questions you will be asked, make sure you can confidently talk about yourself, and your experience – work and life experiences, employability skills, and interests.
The key is to rehearse your responses out loud. Practice with a family member, a friend or even in front of a mirror.
The more time you spend rehearsing your answers, the more confident you will feel and will help you stay comfortable during the actual interview.
- Prepare questions for you to ask at the interview
There is no doubt that the interviewer will ask you whether you have any questions. Asking questions shows engagement, eagerness and initiative.
Be prepared and have your questions ready to ask at the interview; you can even write these down and have them handy at the interview.
- Have your references ready
Be prepared by having the details of two or three referees, whether they are work or personal references. Having this information on hand demonstrates that you are confident, organised and ready for the job.
- Prepare your clothes the day before
The last thing you want to do is give yourself additional stress by working out what to wear at the last minute. Avoid this altogether by sorting out your clothes in advance. Being organised and having control over this will help your confidence.
- Know the details of the interview – never be late
Know the exact time and place of the interview, the interviewer’s full name and their position in the company.
For a face-to-face interview, plan your trip and how you will get there. You don’t want to be late for the interview.
If the interview is conducted via a virtual interview, ensure you make time for the interview as you would for a face-to-face meeting.
Plan where you will conduct the virtual interview. Arrange to have the interview in a quiet place, without any interruptions and preferably not from your bed or on your phone while walking down the street! Remember, you want to leave a positive first impression!
- Plan what you will take with you on the day of the interview
Ensure you have the necessary materials on the day of the interview to present yourself in a professional and prepared manner:
- Bring a notebook or some form of presentation folder (compendium) that demonstrates your professionalism.
- Have a nice pen to use.
- Include copies of any certificates or supporting material that you have applicable to the job.
If you’re a job seeker wanting to enter the workforce or change careers, preparing for the interview is crucial.
Walking into an interview with a well-thought-out plan will significantly increase your chances of success.
For more information to help you prepare for a successful interview, check out Keyba Careers’ online course.
Give yourself the best chance of securing your dream job!
In this short course, we cover three main topics:
1. Explore the key to writing a winning resume and cover letter.
2. A comprehensive guide to preparation, for mastering job interviews, leveraging positive body language, and preparing responses to interview questions.
3. Maximising the effectiveness of references in the recruitment process.
Each lesson will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the interview process successfully and provide actionable insights aimed at improving your overall preparation and performance throughout your job-seeking journey.
