Job Interview Preparation: What to expect?

Job interview preparation is an important part in making sure a recruitment process goes smoothly and that you, as the employee to be relaxed and prepared for what might come your way during the job interview process.

The job interview is often looked at as the final stop of a long journey, that is job search. The job search process usually starts when you send you application to a company where you aspire to work, but if you think about it, chances are that company has already taken the time and effort to make an impression on you, through innovative recruitment styles, such as design thinking.

In this article we will discuss how you can stand-out on a job interview through job interview preparation and how you should act and react during and after the job interview process.

How to prepare for a job interview?

The job interview process is your chance to make an impression on the company representative and show them that you are the best option for the job. Job interview preparation can take a variety of directions and can have has many steps as you wish.

These are six job interview tips we share for a successful job interview:

Read the job description

Chances are you are already reading the job descriptions upon applying to the job offers. However, it is important to read job descriptions carefully and thoroughly, as the job interview process begins in the moment you receive the call to schedule a formal meeting.

There are three aspects you should concentrate on when scanning a job announcement: job title and department, duties and specific tasks, required skills. Looking into these aspects will give you an understanding of what will be expected of you, and will also help you prepare for your interview, as you can align your capacities to what is expected of you.

Research the company

Companies aim to hire people with the similar values and cultural alignment as their own. Knowing about the company’s culture, plan, and history will help you stand-out as a possible future employee.

Explore the organization’s website, social media, and online and offline presence to know more about the history of the company you are interviewing for. Information such as company financials, executive team, culture, and competitors might be relevant for your interview.

Plan the moments before the interview

Preparing before a job interview can help you eliminate potential nervousness. If the interview is on-site, plan how you are getting there and aim at being slightly before the schedule time. If the interview is online, take some time to test the link beforehand, so you can avoid any technical issues that might arise at the time of the interview.

Additionally, look-up company culture and dress-code, so that you can prepare as best as you can to the company’s environment.

Prepare for questions you will be asked

For any job interview preparation, you can look up the most common interview questions and answers. Outline your answers to these questions, as it is not only what you say that is relevant, but how you say it as well.

It is important to feel relaxed, that is why we advise you to do some research. Try to establish eye contact while you speak, as well as to sit still and with good posture. Remember your CV details and try to reinforce the benefits of hiring you.

Preparing your own questions for the employer

Having your own questions is a sign that you are truly interested and prepared for the interview. Furthermore, asking questions in an interview allows you to find some insights on reservations the hiring entity might have towards you.

You should ask questions you indeed want to be answered, but if you feel a bit startled, here are some examples:

– Can you walk me through a typical day in this role?

– What will be some of my biggest challenges in this role?

– Are there any KPIs I need to have in mind? How will my success be measured in this role?

– What are the opportunities for growth within this role?

Following up with the employer

After the initial job interview process, there is some discussion on what to do regarding interview follow-up.

While it is not recommended to call after a job interview, it is good practice to send an email following up, reiterating your interest and thanking the interviewer for their time.

What are some common interview questions and answers?

An important aspect of job interview preparation is brushing up on some of the most frequently asked questions in job interviews. Here you can find a list of the most common interview questions and answers that might give an idea on how to construct your own responses.

Describe yourself and your background briefly.

Like we have stated before, in an interview hiring managers are looking for people who fit their company’s culture and values. When answering this question, it is important to make sure your story has relevant details for the job you are interviewing for.

Talk about relevant incidents that lead you the professional path you are on or pursuing. Discuss your education, academic training, your passion for the job, but also for the industry of the company you are applying, not disregarding your work experience. Essentially, you are proving to your future employee why you are the best fit for this position.

How did you hear about us and about this position?

Ask yourself why this question is being asked before answering. What is the dimension of the company? Had you heard about it before you began the job interview preparation? They want to know how you got to them, through a recruiter, through referral, or through active job search.

In these three possible scenarios, there are different details to bear in mind. If a recruiter got to you, explain why you took the chance of being in the job interview process. What drew you to this position and why did you think this company was a good fit, even though you were not actively searching for a job opening?

If you got the interview through a referral, be specific in who referred you to the position, do not make assumptions about what the hiring manager knows or does not know. Saying who the person that referred is and how you know them might increase your credibility and chances of being hired.

If you sought the job opening yourself, be clear on what stood out to you in the job opening and on what made you think the company you are interviewing for would be a good place to work at. In this case, it is also important to reveal to the interviewer if you saw the job opening on a recruitment website, or if you actively sought it out on the company’s career page. Be specific and let them know that you chose the company for distinctive factors.

Can you describe a time when you were challenged and how you overcame it?

The person who is interviewing is looking to hear about how you deal with stressful situations. Do you avoid them? Are you quick on your feet?

Try to keep the answer relevant to a situation that might arise in this professional environment. If possible, give an example of a previous work experience or something that might relate to that.

Are you in other recruitment processes?

Interviewers want to know if you are genuinely interested in their offer or if they are just one of many options.

Honesty tends to be the best policy in all cases. Two scenarios might arise. Either they really like you and, if you are in other processes, they might be quicker to give an answer. Or they simply want to know if they are your top choice. Regardless, it is best to simply be truthful.

What to expect after the job interview process

You did your job interview preparation and you got through the actual interview process. Like we mentioned before, now it is time for the interview follow-up.

Craft an email after the job interview to send to your potential employer. Don’t forget to mention who you are, what you applied for, and reiterate your interest in the position.

After that, your part in the recruitment process is finished. All you have left to do is to wait for the answer regarding your position in the company, knowing that your job interview preparation served as a valuable tool for what is coming next.

Key-takeaways

Job interview preparation can help a job candidate stand out during the recruitment process.

There are six job interview tips to follow for a successful job interview.

You should read the job description carefully, research the company, plan the moments before the interview, prepare for questions the candidate will be asked, prepare questions for the employer, and follow up with the employer.

Interviewers have a set of common questions they usually ask, for which you can prepare ahead.