By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
Receiving calls for interviews is one of the signals that your job search is going well. That’s why you should write your résumé and cover letter with that goal in mind. When you do get a call for an interview, you may focus on your next step to get the job. After all, that is the goal of the job interview. That is why you must meticulously prepare for your job interview so that it accomplishes its goal of landing you the job. Here are three things that I believe are necessary for good job interview preparation.
The first step in preparing for a job interview is to understand the position you will be interviewing for. Nothing is worse than conveying the impression to your interviewers that you don’t understand the spot you applied for.
Someone I knew once received a call for an interview the day after sending out many resumes. They asked for the address and time of the interview didn’t ask about the position because they were nervous. That showed up on the interview, too. The interviewers could see right away that I had no idea why I was there. The interview didn’t last long. Obviously, it didn’t go well.
Take some time after you’ve been scheduled for a job interview to go over the job description. Do it with care. Pay attention to the job and its responsibilities. If the company or group has one, go to its website. Read about the fundamental values of the organization. Try to imagine what it would be like to work in that setting and be a part of that firm or organization. To the extent it is possible, present yourself as someone who is already employed there. Dress in the manner in which you believe employees are expected to dress there.
The second step in preparing for a job interview is to anticipate the questions you’ll be asked and prepare answers ahead of time. You might be able to predict the types of questions you’ll be asked based upon the job you applied to. Make a list of these questions, as well as your responses. Do it with care. Some questions are almost always asked during interviews. For example, there will almost always be a question asking, “Tell me about yourself.” Make sure you practice your response to that question.
Also, you will very certainly be asked why you want to work for this particular company, organization, division, team, business unit, etc. Make sure you have a solid response to that question and practice saying it.
The third thing to keep in mind as you prepare for your job interview is to arrive on time. Arriving late is a mistake that is hard to recover fro him m. Double-check the address and the time to prevent being late. Make sure you have a good idea of how long it will take you to arrive. Take a trip to the location ahead of time, preferably when the interview is scheduled to occur. That way, you can be positive that the address is correct and understand how to get there. Check for traffic delays or other forms of travel impediments early enough that you have time to adapt.
Being invited for an interview signifies that your résumé and cover letter stood out among others. The interview is your chance to shine as a unique candidate. Your job is to back that impression up and not disappoint anyone–not just the interviewers, but the people in your personal life who are rooting for you.
Take nothing for granted.
Be great!
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2021
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a coach who worked as a recruiter for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves career coaching, as well as executive job search coaching, job coaching, and interview coaching. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with more than 2000 episodes.
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