An interview refers to a formal meeting normally carried out by hiring managers or employers of individual companies to evaluate and ascertain a candidate’s qualifications for a specific job. Therefore, to make a lasting impression on your prospective employer, the following are essential tips that you need to take in preparation to secure a job offer before the interview, during the interview, and even after the interview. You can build your Job interview skills with Knowledge and thorough practice.  

Tips Before the Job Interview

Tips During the Job Interview

Tips After the Job Interview

Tips Before the Job Interview

Before you attend any other interview, it is crucial to set aside time to do the following:

1. Research your target company

• Company research is a vital part of interview preparation that will help you get into an interview room with confidence.
• Some days to the interview, ensure that you can find out about the company.
• To achieve this, check out the company’s website and specifically visit the “About Us” page.
• With this, you will be able to find out the company’s culture, and it will help you to know whether the company is fit for you or not.
• Moreover, read magazines and articles on the website about the company to understand how the company operates and its difference with other companies in the region.
• Company reviews from former employees and clients are also an important aspect to help you get an understanding of the company.
• Importantly, you can also find information about the company by tapping into your network.
• Seek opinions from trusted friends and associates who can give you an inside understanding of the company’s culture.

2. Re-read and analyze the job description

• Take time to review the job description and understand the specific skills that the company is looking for in a candidate.
• Write the skills, personal, and professional qualities that are required by the company on a note pad and match them with the qualities that you possess as an individual.
• Ascertain whether your professional qualifications, work experiences, certifications, skills, and abilities match the job requirements.
• Furthermore, think of specific examples from past work experiences that match the job requirements and write them down in preparation to demonstrate a time when you used a particular skill or ability.

3. Write down job-specific and behavioral interview questions

• Job-specific interview questions are typically asked by the hiring manager to measure a candidate’s ability to perform the duties of a specific job and to determine whether you have the knowledge and skills required.
• Take time to thoroughly review the job-specific questions and figure out how best to respond.
• To have a good idea about the type of questions to be asked on the job you are applying for, review the job-specific questions and sample answers from the internet.
• On the contrary, behavioral interview questions seek clear and concrete examples of experiences and skills that relate to the job position.
• Therefore, be prepared to be asked how you handled a particularly challenging situation.
• With this, you will have to respond with an explanation of what you did, and your response is expected to be a positive indicator of your success.

4. Practice answering interview questions

• Take some time rehearsing possible answers to interview questions that might be asked.
• Be prepared to answer open-ended questions about yourself generally asked by the interviewers to get an insight into your personality and to determine whether you are fit for the company and the job.
• It is advisable to begin with, an overview of where you are currently, maybe your current job, followed by how you got to where you are in terms of education and experience, and lastly, end with briefly mentioning your goal for the future.
• Practice interviewing with a family member or a close friend two days or a day before the interview.
• For instance, if it is a phone interview, ask a friend to call you and practice answering possible questions to be asked over the phone, and if it is a panel interview, have a group of friends to pretend to be a panel.
• As a result, you will be able to calm your nerves since you won’t have to fidget and scramble for answers on the hot interview seat.

5. Prepare a list of references

• Have a list of references prepared before the interview as most hiring managers ask for it before the interview begins or after the interview.
• Recruiters may a times have to contact people on your reference list as part of the hiring process to know more about your professional history and job performance.
• It is therefore advisable to prepare a list of reliable contacts that will be able to communicate your excellent professional attributes.

6. Prepare questions for your interviewers

• Be ready to engage your interviewers since interviews are not a one-way street.
• It is a give and take conversation, and your potential employers expect you to ask questions about how it would be like to work in their company.
• Therefore, have questions of your own to ask the interviewers in a bid to build a relationship.
• Questions such as, “Would you please explain some of the responsibilities that this job entails?” will act as positive indicators to the interviewers that you are seriously thinking of how it is to work in their company.

7. Have your interview outfit ready

• Avoid a last-minute rush and ensure that your interview clothes are prepared some days before the interview.
• Your professional outfit ought to be neat and tidy to have a positive and lasting impression on the employer, even if you are applying for a job in a casual environment.

8. Get clear directions

• It is vital to get clear directions of the interview venue to avoid getting late to the interview.
• Program your GPS or use your Google maps to get the routes and directions to the company if you are not sure of where you are going.
• However, if you have enough time, it is advisable to visit the company before the day of the interview to be sure of where you will be going and how long it would take to get there.

9. Prepare items to take to the interview

• If the company building has security personnel, carry your identification card since you may be asked to show your identification.
• Have a notepad and a pen to write down the name of the person interviewing you and company information.
• Besides, prepare copies of your resume to be distributed in the interview room upon request.

Tips During the Interview

10. Personal grooming

• On the interview day, eat right and do not take too much caffeine during breakfast.
• Take a shower before you leave for the interview and wear a mild deodorant or perfume.
• Ensure that your hair is clean and combed, shine your shoes, and make sure that your nails are clean and tidy.
• Before you leave the house, ensure that your outfit is clean and check for holes, stains, and loose threads.

11. Plan your schedule

• Arrive at the interview location on time at least 15 minutes early.
• If you are using public transport, come up with a back-up plan just in case there are closures, delays or traffic congestion.
• When you arrive early at the interview venue, use the extra time to observe the workplace dynamics.

12. Treat everyone you meet with the utmost respect

• Whoever you meet on your way to the interview, including security personnel on the interview building, people you come across in the parking lot, or the receptionist on the front desk deserves to be treated with respect.
• Greet everyone you meet politely, pleasantly, and enthusiastically as though they are the hiring manager since your potential employer might ask for their feedback.

13. Encourage self-confidence

• Before you are called to enter the interview room, take a deep breath, and exhale slowly to manage feelings of anxiety and discomfort.
• Be calm and confident in your skills, and take a few minutes to encourage yourself.

14. Body language

• In the interview room, watch your body language and practice good manners.
• Note that the interviewer should extend their hand first to initiate a handshake.
• As you stand, look at the interviewer in the eye and smile then give a firm handshake.
• Articulate your points fluently and be audible enough to the interviewers in the room.

15. Make sure you are authentic and positive

• Try to be truthful and genuine in the interview conversation as most interviewers find honesty respectable.
• Do not shy away from saying that you don’t know when asked about something you have no clue about.
• Show positivity in the interview room with a smile to keep the interview light and constructive.

16. Listen attentively

• Pay attention to the interviewer, nod occasionally, and look interested in the conversation.
• It is essential to pay attention in order to give good responses during the interview.
• Listen to the interviewer; take time before you respond if you need to compose an appropriate response.

17. Ensure that you are concise and focused

• During the interview, ensure that your answers are brief and clear to the interviewer.
• Remember, your time with the interviewer is limited, and other interviewees might be waiting in line.
• Practicing your answers beforehand can help you to be focused during the interview.

18. Do not speak negatively about your previous company and employers

• During the interview, focus on what you gained from your past experiences and what you plan to do next
• Note that most companies always want to hire candidates who can be problem solvers and who can overcome tough situations.

19. Tie your answers effectively with your skills

• As you try to answer questions in the interview, it is crucial that you tie your answers with your accomplishments.
• To achieve this, during the interview, give clear examples of solutions and results that you achieved previously.

Tips After the Interview

19. Ask how you should follow up

• Before you leave the interview room, ask your interviewers for a guideline on how you should follow up with the interview results, and who should get back to you.
• Also, ask the hiring manager’s timeline for making a final decision on the interview.

20. Keep some distance

• After the interview, get out of the interview building for a few meters to have an emotional distance.
• As a result of this, you will be able to relax your nerves and decrease your chances of bumping into an interviewer.

21. Analyze how you did in the interview

• It is crucial to review every detail of the interview after you get a little distance.
• Analyzing the interview will help you identify areas that you need to improve on in future interviews.

22. Send a Thank You Note

• After the interview, ask for a business card from each person who interviewed you during the interview.
• Send each interviewer a thank you email reiterating your interest in the job and restate your qualifications and how you will make significant contributions to the company if given a chance.
• Deductively, sending a thank you note leaves a lasting impression on the interviewer’s mind, and he might consider you for the job.