So, you’ve landed an interview for that job you’ve had your eye on. Fantastic! Now it’s time to start thinking about the big day. In these 6 steps, we’ll break down how to prepare for a job interview so that you can sit down with confidence and really impress your potential future employer.
1. Understand the company
Before diving into other aspects of preparation, it’s important to get to know the company you’ll be interviewing at.
Consider this analogy: talking to someone without knowing any background information about them can be quite uncomfortable. The same principle applies to job interviews.
To get to know you potential employer better, consider these steps:
- Explore their website.
- Investigate the company’s historical journey.
- Stay updated with their recent achievements or projects.
Such due diligence will not only show your sincere interest in the company to prospective employers but will also empower you with confidence, knowing you are as well-researched as you can be.
2. Master common interview questions
Unexpected questions can be daunting. However, with the right practice, even the most challenging questions can be navigated with ease.
You may encounter questions such as:
- What attracts you to this position?
- What do you consider your primary strength?
- Can you recount a challenge you’ve encountered and your approach to resolving it?
The goal isn’t to memorise an answer, but to prepare flexible responses, and put thought into what you want to say, to ensure you are being completely authentic.
3. Dress appropriately
The importance of first impressions cannot be understated, especially during job interviews. Here’s a good guideline to follow:
- Figure out the company’s dress code.
- Dress slightly more formally than their standard dress code.
- Prioritise wearing comfortable clothes to avoid distractions–the last thing you want is to be itching and pulling at your clothes throughout your interview.
4. Know your CV inside out
Remember that your interviewer has the CV you submitted, and has likely become quite familiar with it.
It’s important that you familiarise yourself with every component of your resume, so that you can answer any questions your interviewers might have about your experience and achievements with ease.
Not only will this prevent any awkward “Uhm, I don’t remember” moments, but it’ll also remind you of your achievements. And that’s a great confidence booster.
5. Get your questions ready
Typically, at the interview’s conclusion, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions. Formulating a few in advance can indicate your enthusiasm and interest in the job, and show that you came prepared.
Potential questions you might like to ask include:
- What does a regular day in this position look like?
- How does the company facilitate professional growth?
- What are the team dynamics like in the company?
Just remember, it’s advisable to refrain from asking about benefits or compensation during your initial interview.
6. Get organised the day before
The last thing you need on your big day is to be rushing to get yourself ready, which is why making sure you are prepared the day before is so important. Here are a few tips to think about:
- Plan your route to the interview location, and make sure you leave enough time to allow for things like traffic, and finding a parking spot.
- Lay out your outfit, that way you don’t try and make any last-minute changes in the morning of your interview that might stress you out.
- Pack a bag with all your essentials, including your laptop, notebook, pen and anything else you think you might need.
That way, when the morning comes, you’re feeling cool, calm, collected and ready to smash out your interview.
Need some support?
If you’re finding the interview process a little overwhelming and feel like you could use some help, there are professional support services available.
If you’re living with an injury, illness or disability, you might like to make use of Disability Employment Services like APM which are specialised in helping people successfully find and keep meaningful employment. You can find APM all around Australia, including their Disability Employment Services Sydney, Brisbane and Perth offices, and more.
Their support services include a wide range of things to help you secure a job you can thrive in, such as interview coaching and help with resume writing.
While preparing for an interview can be overwhelming, by following the steps above and reaching out for support if you need it, you’ll be able to walk into the room as confident and prepared as possible.
We wish you the best of luck with your next interview!
