After searching and sending resume to several jobs, you have finally landed an interview. However, the interview and the question and answer involved with the process can be nerve-wracking for even the most experienced and qualified individuals. Why may you wonder? The job interview is your one chance to make the good first impression and hopefully, get the job you are looking for in return.
How to prepare for your interview questions?
If you are also looking for help in preparing for an interview, then you have come to the right place. With our job interview tips, you can get the best out of your upcoming interview.
Before the Interview:
- When receiving the call for an interview, make sure you write down the name of the person you are scheduled to meet and note down the time and venue accurately.
- Research the venue where your interview will take place to estimate the time it will take you to reach. It is also a good idea to do a “dry run” which means to physically check out the venue of the interview to accurately calculate how long it will take you to reach. It is also a good idea to hand around the parking lot to check out the workers of the company you are applying for before heading out to the interview.
- Look closely at the company’s website and Google searches them to find out more about their business goals, products, and services.
- Prepare copies of your resume, cover letter, ID card, photographs, and academic certificates 2-3 days in advance.
- Practice reciting a clear summary of your qualifications, experiences and skills/talent that are suitable for the job you are being interviewed for.
- Prepare and practice answers to common interview questions. You can also prepare questions for your interviewer that will tell you more about the job position and work environment. You can also check out the list of sample interview questions as well as their appropriate interview answers available on the internet.
- Plan your interview attire and accessories to make sure everything is properly cleaned and ironed. Make sure you dress according to the job and company you are applying for.
- Make sure to get a good night sleep and avoid alcohol and caffeine assumption the night prior to your interview.
- Don’t be late for the interview. It’s better to get a head start in the morning and reach at least 10 minutes early for the interview.
During the Interview:
The main interview is your only chance to make the first and lasting impression on your interviewer. From the first handshake to the interview questions and answers, make sure you present your very best. Read on and follow the interview tips to succeed.
- Before going into the interviewer’s office, turn off your cell phone to avoid any disturbance.
- Meet each person you greet with a smile and polite gesture.
- Stand tall and shake hands with each interviewer that you meet inside the interview room.
- Listen attentively to each job interview questions and try to give answers to the interview questions as accurately as possible. Some of the most common interview questions include basic information such as education requirements, past experiences, and any specific reason for applying to this particular job.
- Describe your skills and past accomplishments in the most positive way. Also, brief them about how your talents can be beneficial for their company. Hiring managers love to ask behavior questions and answers to these conflicting questions such as an enquiry about a difficult project or a coworker should be given as honestly and briefly as possible.
- Find out more about the job position with some common questions to ask the interviewer. Some of them include asking more about the staff, the qualification that the company requires, and whether or not they offer continuing education to their staff. With the right questions to ask at an interview, you can verify if the company you are applying to is the ideal fit for you or not.
- Avoid asking about the salary or benefits until the topic is initiated by the interviewer.
- Before taking a leave, ask them when can you expect feedback regarding the job position.
After the interview:
After the interview is over, most candidates just sit back and hope for the best. Apart from that make sure to:
- Send out an interview thank you letter to each interviewer. An interview thank you note shows the potential employers that you are interested in the position they are offering.
- Make sure you send any pending information to the company if asked during the interview questions.
- Contact them if you don’t hear from them on the date they promised to send out the feedback regarding the job interview.
- Most of all, don’t give up your job search. Even if you don’t get the specific job – there are numerous opportunities waiting for you. Just cross your fingers and hope for the best.
Still confused about the interview process? Here are some more tips to help you out.
Phone interview tips:
A phone interview is a common practice of big companies where potential employer initially talks to the job applicants before meeting them in person. However, most job seekers take phone interviews non-seriously. But in reality, best interview questions are often asked through a phone interview. To ace the phone interview, you must:
- Cut out all distractions such as TV, mobile, or eating and try to focus on the answers to the interview questions asked by the interviewer.
- Some phone interview questions include “can you travel for the job”, can you relocate if it’s part of the job requirement, and “if hired, how soon can you start?” be prepared with the answers.
Second interview:
A second interview is just what it sounds like – the employer is looking for a second chance to get to know you better and see if you are the right fit. It is not guaranteed that you’ll get the job but it is likely that the second interview will be conducted by someone who is in a higher position and should be considered as an informational interview for both the parties. A second interview can be on one on one basis or with the whole group of the company and will include more serious and in-depth job interview questions and answers. To prepare for the second interview questions, make sure to:
- Arrive on time, dress properly and research more about the person you are likely to be interviewed by. A second interview is also your chance to ask more about the company. Some questions to ask during the interview include inquiring about the orientation process for the new hires, find out more about the department structure, and what a typical work day is like.
- Some common second interview questions include “what are your career goals”, “is there anything you can change about the company”, and “what is the salary you are looking for”. Be honest with your answers and try to relax as much as possible.
Bonus tip – Exit interview:
Hopefully, you have gotten the job you were after. If you are previously working with some company, it is now time to say “goodbye” to them and send out your notice period. Most companies ask for an exit interview to former employees. The exit interview questions are required by most companies for feedback from previous employees. It is important to follow through the process of leaving one company to ensure that you get the best feedback from them.
I’m sure we have answered your question of “how to answer interview questions” with the detailed blog above. With these tips in mind, you are likely to excel in all your future interviews and effectively handle any typical interview questions, nursing interview questions, teacher interview questions, or any other profession/situational interview questions you are adhering to. Good luck and keep us posted how it went.
