You have reached out to numerous companies and secured an interview for your dream job. However, you feel a little bit nervous about the idea of an interview. Don’t let this bring you down. Pre-Interview anxiety is completely normal. It happens to first-time job seekers and even seasoned professionals looking to change jobs. After all, you are taking a big step into the unknown, and it is sure to come with some intense emotions. While it is expected to experience some anxiety, do not let it take you over. Remember that it is your responsibility to present yourself. In order to do this, proper interview preparation will be necessary. Regardless of whether your job search has just started, or if you already have an interview lined up, these tips will help you prepare for a job interview. If you need more assistance in jumpstarting your IT career visit MyComputerCareer. We offer comprehensive courses and individualized assistance that will help you secure a job.
Look into the Company
One of the best ways to stand out from other candidates is to do some research before the interview. Looking into the company could give you some insight into their needs and help you better prepare for an interview. Get an idea of what they do, the size of the company, their company culture, important people and their job titles, important events, and what people say about them. These are all things that shape a company, and the more you are in tune with their mission and needs, the better you will tailor your responses. Apart from the company itself, take some time to analyze the job. Consider things like the job description, requirements for the job, similar job postings they put up, etc. This will give you an idea of what they want in an employee and why.
The good news is that this does not have to take long. All that it takes is some Google searches and a bit of your time. Make use of their website, social media, employer review sites, and any articles online. Don’t forget to look into the people, especially those you might meet in an interview. They are the ones that make the company what it is, and you want to be at least familiar with them. A great tool for this is LinkedIn. There is nothing wrong with researching the company and their hiring managers on LinkedIn. After all, that is what the platform is for.
Prepare for Common Interview Questions
The purpose of an interview is for hiring managers to assess how well you will fit into the framework of the company. They look to see if you can do the job well and that you will not disrupt day to day activities. The only way for them to determine this is to ask you questions. Take the time to consider what questions you could be asked. A great place to start is looking at common interview questions and some behavioral interview questions. There are lots of them, but you want to at least go over the most popular ones. The idea here is not to learn the answers verbatim but to have a frame of reference that you can turn to while preparing to answer. Find ways to present yourself in the right way. Highlight your strengths and show them that you are a good fit.
Prepare Some Questions
As the interview progresses, you will be asked if there are any questions. The worst thing you can do here is answer “no.” It might make them think you are not all that interested in what is being discussed. Make sure to have at least one or two intelligent questions in your back pocket. Things like “what will my day to day responsibilities be” or “what kind of person are you looking for in this position.” These questions show that you are interested in their needs, and not just looking to get the job. Apart from that, follow the conversation and make a mental note of anything that you would like to know more about.
Practice Makes Perfect
Taking the time to mentally prepare for questions is only half the battle. While a good thought out answer is the key to success, practicing your answers is even more important. The last thing you want to do is get confused, caught up, or lose track of what you are saying in front of a potential employer. Instead, you want responses to be smooth, confident, and concise. Make sure to answer out loud while practicing. Hardly anyone likes listening to the sound of their own voice, but doing so is invaluable. It gets you out of your head and lets you know what to improve. In addition to this, try practicing in front of a mirror and conducting mock interviews with some friends. The more you do it, the better you will get!
Look the Part
Your new office might have casual Fridays, but the last thing you want to do is show up in sweat pants. Remember that an interview is all about selling yourself and how you show up is a big part of that. Take the time to plan out your outfit. The goal is to feel comfortable and look neat, tidy, and well-groomed. Look into a business or business casual dress code if it is a more professional environment and prepare the clothes ahead of time. The last thing you want is to scamper around, putting together an interview outfit the morning of the interview. In addition to the outfit, do something that will help you feel good. Pamper yourself prior to the interview. Things like a good haircut and proper grooming will have you feeling good and ready for the interview.
Leave a Good Impression
Apart from physical appearances, also consider behavior. Behaving and carrying oneself professionally is just as important as your appearance in making the right impression. Remember that these are people, and they appreciate someone that is enthusiastic, polite, and pleasant. Try to establish a rapport with the interviewers. Address them properly and mind your body language. The best way to improve body language is to practice during your practice interviews. A firm handshake, proper posture, and paying attention can make all the difference.
Be Prepared
You have considered job interview questions, practiced delivering both questions and answers, prepared your interview outfit, and done your research. You are almost there! The final thing you want to do to help ensure interview success is to get prepared. Take the time to get directions to the location and plan out a route if it is an in-person interview. You don’t want to be late. Apart from that, bring a portfolio with at least three copies of your resume, a cover letter, a list of references, and finally something to write on and write with. This will cover you if anything gets misplaced, or you need to jot down some information. When it comes to video interviews, you should take the time to test your camera and microphone, find a quiet room (same goes with a phone interview), and set up a decent background. Once everything is double-checked, you are left with one last task – get a good night’s sleep the night before.
Follow these job interview tips, and you will have a great job interview. Show them that you are qualified, polite, and professional. Present yourself like that, and they might deem you a great fit for the job offer. If your nerves are getting the better of you, pretend that you have already been