Is there anyone else struggling with what to do the night before an interview? I used to end up feeling unprepared and panicking the last minute, until I decided to set some interview preparation routine that I am sharing with you today. And those are:
1. Learn about the company!
Read their company’s background, get to know what they do and the people involved.
If they have a website, visit it. If it is social media pages, check them out as well. Apparently doing this little homework makes you seem like a quick and adaptable person, and who doesn’t want a quick person in their office?
2. Go early, and wear what is comfortable
Getting there early is a good first impression. It is also good for you since you don’t end up panicking, which can shake your confidence a little and make you forget things. Get there early and wear what is comfortable, this helps you to feel confident as well.
3. Learn about the role
Do a little reading about what you applied for, so that you can answer any question thrown at you.
There are common words in every field, it is important to know those and some new ones that are used these days. It is important that you are conversant in the position you applied for. This not only builds trust in you and your capabilities, but can also land you a job.
4. Check out salaries
Know the salary that a person doing your job gets somewhere else.
Negotiating is a skill not many of us have but need in the job market. It is important to do a little research of how others are paid who are doing the same work that you applied for, so that you can know how to negotiate with the budget of the employer.
5. Practice with a friend
Practice answering the common interview questions. Role plays with a friend or family member are helpful for this.
The ‘Tell us about you‘ question, the ‘What are your strengths and weaknesses‘ type of question. Practice answering them, so that you are not taken by surprise when asked and are not totally clueless about your weaknesses that can land you a job (because who says the weaknesses that gets them not to be considered for the job; we all are ‘overcommitted’ and ‘perfectionists’).
I think it is good to prepare yourself efficiently for a job interview so that, even if you end up not getting it, you wouldn’t beat yourself down over your lack of preparation.
On a positive note, I hope that, with all this preparation, you end up getting the job!
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