Gearing up for a Job Interview
Getting some responses to your job applications? Here are a few tips that we recommend when it comes to preparing yourself for an upcoming job interview.
1) Research the company that is interviewing you as well as the position that you applied for. You can do this by exploring the company website, memorizing their mission statement, and looking up the company on a website like Glassdoor to see what previous employees have to say about the pros and cons of working there.
2) Set up a mock interview with a friend, family member, or anyone else that has some free time to assist you. This will help you prepare yourself so that you have an idea of what to say when asked both formulaic/routine questions and tougher questions. You need to be ready for absolutely anything that might be asked during the interview. Since the actual interview will never be the same as your practice interview, you must be mentally prepared to deviate from your script when the situation calls for it.
3) Create and memorize a short list of questions you want to ask the interviewer. This will show that you are interested in the company and are taking the job opportunity seriously. Some examples include: “What do you think are the most important qualities for someone to excel in this role?” “What are your expectations for this role during the first 30 days? How might the role change over the course of a year?” “Who do you consider to be your top competitor, and why?”
4) Be sure to wear proper business attire that is wrinkle-free and spotless, complete with dress shoes that are clean and have minimal scuff marks. If you don’t own a good set of dress clothes/shoes, buy a set ASAP as the investment will definitely pay off when you land yourself a job.
5) Be sure to get a good night’s rest before the day of your interview; you won’t function as well or be able to think as quickly if you haven’t had an adequate amount of sleep. As long as you haven’t put off preparation until the last day (or the last minute), you should have an idea of how to sell yourself when you meet the interviewer in person.
6) Stay cool and calm in the hours leading up to your interview. Don’t drink too much caffeine, as this has the potential to trigger an increase in heart rate and even anxiety. Keep in mind that if you’ve been called in for an interview, the hiring manager or HR person genuinely liked your resume and cover letter. They, like you, have a desire for the job interview to go well so that they can fill the position with a worthwhile candidate.
Best of luck at your upcoming job interview! If you follow the above tips and believe in yourself, you’ll find yourself gainfully employed sooner rather than later.
By Dan McDonald
Dan is a Sales and Marketing Development Associate at Baxter Media. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 2011.