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So, you’ve just wrote and submitted an amazing resume which has enabled you to score the interview for your dream job. But now what do you do? The resume has gotten your foot in the door. Now, you need to make sure you ace your interview. That way, the door will remain open for you to confidently walk straight through it. (If you would like more tips for your resume, please check here.)
The key is preparation. Don’t just wing it. With adequate and thoughtful preparation, there’s no doubt that you’ll master the job interview process and land the job of your dreams.
Step 1: Do Your Research
Don’t just expect to wow the interviewer with your personality. It’s important that you find out everything that you can about the position that you desire. So for the first step, you’ll need to discover whatever you can about the company. In addition, reread the job advertisement and list the skills and experience that you can excel in that position. Be clear in your mind about why you are qualified for the job and what skills and experience you bring to the table. Once you have identified these, you can begin to formulate a strategy about how to highlight this information during your interview.
Step 2: Anticipate Questions
Now, it’s time to put your thinking cap on. Put yourself in the role of the interviewer if you can, and try to think of what type of questions you would want answered if you were the one doing the hiring. Some questions you might expect are:
- How has your past experience prepared you for this position?
- What specific actions would you take if you took the job?
- What skills make you a suitable candidate for the job?
Make sure you take your time and think out exactly how you plan to answer.
Step 3: Develop Some Scenarios
Not only do you need to answer questions, but also be prepared to be a storyteller. During your interview, you will almost certainly be asked about what you would do under certain scenarios. It’s important not to get stumped by these type of questions. Describing specific scenarios can be difficult to do on the spot. So, make sure you have thought through your experience and can draw upon specific instances which will highlight your skills. In particular, you will want to be able to point to past experiences where you have demonstrated your ability to work in a team and to delegate. Some examples of the types of questions you may face include:
- Describe a specific instance where there were conflicting priorities and how you dealt with them
- Describe a challenge you faced in a past position and how you handled it.
- How would you handle budget cuts?
Step 4: What’s On Your Mind?
The interview is not only your chance to answer questions, but also an opportunity for you to pose some questions of your own. In an interview, when asked, “Do you have any questions for me?”, the answer should be “Yes!”. Of course, be prepared to ask questions that naturally interest you about the job. Some questions you may want to ask are:
- What does a typical day look like in this job?
- Are there opportunities for professional development?
- What does success look like in this position and how do you measure it?
Step 5: Practice, Practice, Practice
Now, it’s time to put all your efforts into practice. Take the time to practice for you interview with a mock interview. No matter how experienced you are, you can still learn something by doing a mock interview and getting feedback on how you present yourself. If you are in school, you will probably have access to a career guidance center which can provide mock interview services for you. If not, don’t be afraid to ask a friend or family member for assistance.