Preparing for a job interview? Do not panic. Here are some tips to help you ace your interview and increase your chances of getting hired:
1. Know what you are getting into. Research about the company that you are applying for. As an outsider, it is understandable that you do not know much about that company, but you should have a general understanding of its operation or services. More importantly, you should also know the job description of the position that you are applying for so that you can better explain how well-suited your qualifications are for the job.
2. Get your act together. Be consistent with your back story. Never fabricate information during a job interview. Be authentic and build your narrative towards what they are looking for. Do not include information that is not relevant to the position that you are applying for. Although you can insert some competencies to show that you are versatile, you must highlight the set of qualifications that would help decide that you are the person they are looking for.
3. Prepare answers and smart questions and ask a friend to help you practice. There are some common interview questions that you can use as a reference but be ready with other questions that the interviewer has prepared specifically for their candidates. Interviewers also appreciate it if you provide them with smart questions and this would make the interview more engaging. Show that you are interested and passionate about working for the company. These smart questions also allow you to expand the discussions into your other competencies that the interviewer missed.
4. Check your connection and equipment if the interview is remote. Make sure you have a strong internet connection and you have a backup in case there are service disruptions. Regardless of the device that you are using, make sure that the video is good and the audio is audible.
5. Bring a portfolio, resume, and reference letters, among others. Make sure that these documents are ready in case the interviewer asks for any of them. If it is a face-to-face interview, make sure that you can provide clear copies of the documents they are looking for. If it is online, make sure that they are in one file that you can easily share and scroll from one document to another.
6. On the day of the interview, observe proper interview etiquette. Dress modestly and professionally, be on time, and reflect an overall pleasant personality. An interviewer’s first impression is very crucial as this would set the tone of their engagement with you. Yes, it is going to be nerve-wracking, but never forget to smile, be nice, and be pleasant.
7. Take-home assignments – work on them efficiently and commit to realistic targets. Some companies give take-home assignments to applicants. Make sure to check the task they provide and ask all relevant questions that would help you perform the task better. Turnover outputs that are checked. If asked when you can submit the task, manage their expectations by providing a realistic target of completion.
