The Interview Preparation Checklist

 

Preparation is the key to success. In a job interview, there is no second chance. If your answers don’t exceed the expectations of the interviewer, you risk losing the job. 

Job interviews can be one of the most stressful parts of the hiring process. Interviewers are looking for you to be at the top of your game when you walk into the interview, so there are a few things you must remember. 

 

In this article, we’ll take a look at what goes into an interview prep checklist. We’ll also look at some interview preparation tips to make sure you’ve got all the small but important points covered, and get the job that you deserve.

 

 

Practice your answers

When interviewing for a job, it’s important to anticipate interview questions and prepare your answers to them. One way to do this is by doing mock interviews. You can find mock interviews online.

There are many sites that offer mock interviews that are easy and quick to download. You can also try to practice interviews with a friend or family member.

 

Jim Pendergast, Senior Vice President of altLINE Sobanco, says another way to practice for interviews is by writing down your answers beforehand and then reading them back to yourself.

By doing this, you’ll be able to see what you sound like. This will give you the opportunity to fine tune your answers and you’ll know what you’ll need to practice before the real interview.

 

Know the company

According to Twin Employment, nearly 50% of interviewers said they avoid hiring applicants with little to no knowledge about the company.

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but it’s important to make sure that you are familiar with the company culture and its values before you step into the interview. 

 

Anthony Martin, Founder and CEO of Choice Mutual, states that reviewing the company’s website is the fastest way to familiarize yourself with the company.

Company websites contain their mission statement, values, and information on their products and services. Find out what sets this company apart from others and what makes it unique.

 

This will also help you answer questions like ‘why do you want to work for the company?’ or ‘why should we hire you?’

 

Study the role you’re applying to

George Tsagas, Founder of eMathZone, says that understanding the essence of the position and how you fit into it is key to acing the interview.

If you are applying for a particular role in a company, you should know quite a bit about the role. You should know what the day-to-day tasks are and what competencies and skills the company is looking for in the person who fills that role.

 

If you’re interviewing for an entry-level position, you can study the job description and the qualifications of the position.

If you’re interviewing for a more senior position, you should have a more in-depth understanding of the role and the responsibilities involved. 

This is why research is so important. Joining a community of experts will also give you more insight into the role.

 

Bring your resume and portfolio

Catherine Schwartz, the Finance Editor at Crediful, advises job applicants to bring several copies of their resume and portfolio to a job interview. According to her, applicants should be prepared to answer questions about it.

 

There are many resources for resume samples online. It is important that your resume is well-written, as well as well-organized. This will make it easy for your interviewer to understand what you have done in your career and what your abilities are.

It is also important that you have a portfolio ready to show your interviewer in case they ask. 

 

 

Prepare questions for the interviewer

While the purpose of a job interview is to determine whether or not a candidate meets the qualifications of a certain position, a candidate can also use the opportunity to find out more about the company’s work culture and the job’s demands.

Contrary to popular belief, job interviews are not a one-sided conversation. An interviewer is interviewing you, but you are interviewing the interviewer, too. 

 

As part of your interview preparation, you should come up with questions ahead of time. These questions should be pertinent to the position and the company. 

 

For Tory McBroom, chief editor of Yoga Answered, some good questions to ask include, “What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?” and “What separates someone who is adequate at this position from someone who is exceptional at this position?”

 

Dress appropriately for the interview

You want to make a good impression on the interviewer by dressing in a professional manner. According to an article by Career Beacon, one in four hiring managers will reject a candidate who isn’t dressed appropriately for the interview. 

 

Jesse Galanis, Content Manager at Switching2Mac, believes it is important to dress in a way that says “I’m prepared for this interview.” Dress in a way that says “I have done my research.” Dress in a way that says “I am here for a job and not for a date.”

 

Galanis adds that it’s not just the clothes that make a difference. Your body language counts too. When you meet the interviewer, give them a firm handshake.

Make sure to sit up straight and maintain eye contact. These subtle gestures will show you are serious about the job.

 

Be on time

One of the best ways to ensure that you come across as professional during your job interview is to be punctual. It is the first impression that you will make on your interviewer.

It shows that you respect the interviewer and are willing to adhere to the rules. Being late is a big no-no. 

 

On the night before the interview, double-check the address of the place where the job interview will be conducted. Print the directions if you have to. Make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes early for the job interview.

This will give you extra time to warm up, relax, and get your head in the game.

 

 

Conclusion

We all know how stressful it can be to prepare for your job interview. Asking yourself ‘what could I have done better’ is never far from your thoughts.

However, interviews are an essential part of joining a new workforce, which is why it is important that you are prepared. 

 

If you want to make sure that your interview ends on a positive note, make use of this interview preparation checklist and prepare accordingly.

Be sure to keep the advice we provided in mind as you are preparing for your next interview!