Be prepared
Be prepared (research company/ know what to expect)
Advance Preparation
• Find out as much as you can about the job you are applying for. Try to obtain a written job description – this will help you to match your skills with those required for the specific job.
• Research the company as well as the job. Find out as much as you can about:
| The size of the company |
| The products/services they offer |
| Its history and current position in the local environment |
| The clients the company deals with |
| The management philosophy |
- This information can be found:
- On the Internet
- In trade periodicals
• Once you have as much information as you can get:
| List the specific skills and experience that the job requires |
| Write down how your qualifications meet the requirements of the job |
| Think about skills you may have that might make up for required skills you do not yet have, or think about how you will suggest to the interviewer you could develop the skills needed |
• Think about (and write down) questions you are likely to be asked and your answers:
| Why do you want this job? |
| Why do you want to work for this company? |
| And many more |
• Make a list of the questions you would like answered – about the company and the job.
Before the Interview
• PRACTISE INTERVIEWING!
• Make sure you have all the details you need about the location of the interview.
• Obtain a map.
• Find out about parking availability, bus stops, etc.
• Drive/bus/walk to the location beforehand so you know where it is and how long it will take to get there.
• Make sure your documents are ready. Put all your originals in a folder and take good copies that can be left with the interviewer(s).
| Typed curriculum vitae (check that it is complete and updated) |
| References |
| Certificates |
• Find out who will be interviewing you. Will you be having a one-on-one interview or will you be interviewed by a panel? If you have the name(s) of the interviewer(s) make sure you can pronounce the name(s) correctly.
• Make sure your clothes are ready, clean and well pressed. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready before you have to leave for the interview. No one makes a good impression if they have been rushing around frantically!
• Arrive 5-10 minutes early.
• Don’t smoke before your interview as you do not want to smell of smoke. Also, make sure you do not have chewing gum in your mouth!
• Turn off your cell phone and do not have iPod or other headphones in your ears!
