For interview confidence know the interview questions and prepare your answers in advance. Use your free Career Tools to practice online or rehearse with a friend.
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Follow these interview preparation tips to give an outstanding performance during your interview!
Be prepared to answer common questions like 'what do you know about our company' and 'why do you want to work here'. Your level of preparation will be evident to the interviewer, which in turn will signal how interested you truly are in the role.
Prepare a 3 minute response that shows you understand the company, the industry and current topics of interest like regulatory changes or competitive activity . Head to the company's website, Google the company name or stop by the company's office to pick up promotional materials like brochures.
Make sure you know the essential numbers like sales, profit, stock market price (if the company is listed), earnings trends, as well as any recent or upcoming mergers or other forms of corporate reorganisation.
Understand what the aims and purpose of the role are so you can tailor your answers accordingly. Ask for a copy of the job description before the interview, or else get the job ad and study it.
Presumably you've already tailored your resume to the requirements of the position, which is why you've been invited to an interview. If not, then prepare a list of your achievements relevant to the position. Make sure you can recall your achievements to support your answers to common interview questions like 'tell me about a time when...' or 'describe how you have responded to....' etc.
Understand exactly what points you want to make during the interview. Have a mental or written checklist of your main selling points and what differentiates your from other applicants, and make sure you tick this off before you leave.
Look for opportunities to inject the points you have prepared into the conversation at the appropriate time.
It is easy to let the interviewer control the interview and react passively to their questions, only to reflect later and think that you didn't say the things you wanted to say.
The interviewer will ask whether you have any questions about the company or role. This is what you've been waiting for. This is where you take control of the interview by directing questions at the interviewer, and get them to sell the company and opportunity to you.
Showcase your intelligence and level of preparation with well considered questions, such as 'I understand that you are restructuring this division. What impact will it have on my position', or 'what is the key quality you are looking for in the successful applicant that will make the difference between good performance and extraordinary performance'.
A good question or two will really cement your place in the interviewer's mind, and could be the difference between being invited back for a second interview, or being cut at the first round.
Find out the name and phone number of the interviewer. If you are running late (don't!) then call ahead to let them know.
Are you driving? Is there parking available? What about public transport? Do you know the exact location of you interview? Are you going to reception or to a specific floor or room?
Arrive early to fill out any paperwork.
Take printed copies of your resume, copies or work permits or licenses, examples of your work, references, academic transcripts, or any other documentation that you think might be required.
Pack a notepad and pen so you can record the answers to your questions, and your diary in case they want to schedule a follow up interview with you, then and there.
Dress appropriate to your target role. Safe is best at this point. Save the short skirt or open neck shirt until you've been hired, and consider wearing a longer skirt and a tie.
Like being on time, a neat and well groomed appearance is a base-level requirement. It is expected. Get this wrong and risk putting the interviewer off-side completely before the interview even begins.
If in doubt, call and speak to reception or the interviewer and ask what the company dress code is.
Obtain a list of common interview questions and ask someone to role play them with you.
