Securing an interview for a job opportunity is a big deal, it’s a big move. You out of many others who applied for the same position got invited for that interview which means you have the potential of contributing value to the company you applied to, so congratulations. Now you have to prepare yourself to showcase what you got and who you are to your potential employers. This might sound a bit nerve-wrecking, especially if it’s your first interview but it’s nothing some good preparation and the right mindset can’t overcome. Here are five tips to help you prepare for your upcoming interview and increase your chances of securing that role.
1. Do your research:
Before attending your interview take some time to research about the interviewing company and the role that you applied for. Have a look through the company’s website, and its social media platforms. Do this so that you can be familiar with what the company stands for, its values, mission, vision, the products or services its offering and also consider the culture of the company. Research in depth about the position that this interview is for because you may be asked some questions to see if you understand what is expected of you in that role that you are being interviewed for. For example, if you have applied for a tech assurance graduate program, you must be able to explain what tech assurance is about. This will indicate that you have a genuine interest in the company, the role being offered and that you know what you can probably expect.
Researching the company and the role will help you respond accordingly to some of the interview questions that you’ll be asked. Whilst you are still at this step, write down questions that you may want to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview, such as “What opportunities do you offer your employees for them to grow and continuously develop their skills so that they can stay competent” or “How does the company promote creativity and innovation”. Make sure that your questions are not already answered on the company website, unless if you weren’t clear about something. Bear in mind that even if the interviewer does not ask if you have any questions at the end of interview. Shoot those questions.
2. Practice your responses:
Make a list of interview questions that are common such as “Tell me about yourself”, this one sounds like the interviewer would like to know you on a personal level but that is not the case. YouTube and TikTok has some really good interview experts who can help you understand how to answer these kinds of questions. Simply search ‘Tell me about yourself interview question in TikTok or YouTube and watch 2-3 videos to get an idea of how to tackle such a question. When going through the questions that you have prepared, practice answering them in a way that showcases your strengths and your skills because some of the questions that you’ll be asked need you to give an example of a situation you’ve experienced, the actions you took in that situation and what the outcome of your actions were. And some of you may also have to do a technical interview such as writing some code in real time, depending on the role you’re applying for. If this is the case, you can prepare yourself by having a mock interview with your friends or ask a tutor or lecturer to assist you if they have time. And don’t forget Artificial Intelligence is your friend, make use of ChatGPT to help you prepare for your interview.
3. Be Confident and Professional:
On the day of the interview present yourself professionally, look fresh, be positive and show some personality because first impressions still count. Arrive at your interview venue early as this will not only make you look professional but also allow you to become familiar with your new surroundings. If you are doing an online interview, make sure that you are in quiet area, that you have good lighting, background and that your internet connection is stable. As a student in South Africa by now I’m sure we have established a common practice to make sure that our gadgets are always charged due to loadshedding being a norm. You don’t want your laptop to switch off in the middle of the interview. Throughout the interview be aware of your posture and body language, your tone of voice, make eye contact, listen carefully to the questions so that you can answer accordingly and do not be afraid to ask for clarity if you didn’t understand or hear the question clearly. All this will convey your confidence and leave a good impression on the interviewer.
4. Emphasize your relevant work experiences and skills:
When answering the interview questions give examples of situations when you applied the skills you have, which are related to those that are required for the position. This could be a part-time job you did, an internship, an academic project or even volunteer work. You can also emphasize your achievements. Let’s say you are asked a random question like; how would you rate your teamwork and communication skills. You could refer to a project you done at school and explain how well you communicated with your team members to make sure they understood what was required of them and that the outcome was a winning presentation or, if you are asked a question that relates to time management you could talk about how you are juggling academics, a part time job, extra-curricular activities, being a youtuber and still managing to secure good grades and make time for yourself and your relationships.
Use examples that will showcase how your skills and experiences have molded you to be capable of taking on the role that is being offered. Sell yourself to the interviewer for example if you are applying for a software developer role bring along your portfolio projects to showcase your skills on another level. This will give an impression that will make you stand out from the other candidates.
5. Give thanks:
After the interviewer has answered your questions be sure to thank him/her for the opportunity to be invited for that interview. This will show that you are really interested in that position. You can also try to send an email expressing your gratitude for interview. (Still keeping it professional) This will make you more memorable to the interviewer and reinforce the impression you’ve made.
Conclusion:
Remember, by conducting your research you’ll be able to answer questions like ‘why do you want to work for the company’, by practicing your responses you’ll be able to emphasize your experiences and skills and ultimately demonstrate your potential and finally by being professional, showing confidence and expressing thanks for interview opportunity you will leave a memorable impression that can make you stand out.
Another thing to keep in mind that will help with the nerves is that you shouldn’t view an interview as an interrogation session but rather as an opportunity for you to not only know more about the company but also for you to grow as a person, to learn how to assess whether a company and a specific role aligns with your values and your goals. Overall, by implementing the above tips you should be well on your way to nailing that interview. All the very best.