How To Ace A Job Interview

How To Ace A Job Interview

Ace A Job Interview

These days, securing an interview has been an uphill task because of the increasing rate of applicants and limited job opportunities in most careers. One must ensure to prepare adequately for the interview to secure the desired job. There are certain things one must do and know before showing up for an interview (virtual or physical) at any firm.

The dos and don’ts of a job seeker going for an interview have explicitly been put together here. You’ll also find some frequently asked interview questions and how to tackle them.

Learn How To Ace A Job Interview And Get Employed

1. Research: Before attending any interview, ensure you do a lot of research on the following.
   • The company; In as much as you already know the basics of a company while applying, you should do more in-depth research before going for an interview. Ensure to thoroughly exhaust check out the company website. This will keep you informed on the services they provide, their mission, vision and core values. Also get the names of some key persons (management) and organogram of the company like the MD, CEO, COO, etc. Find out any news about the company that has recently been published. Identify the company’s strengths, challenges and proffer possible solutions. Your research should not be limited only to the company but the business/sector. Find out the possible competitors, partners, trends, forecasts etc. in the sector.
   • The role; Ensure you fully understand the job description of the position you have applied for. You should ensure you measure up to the qualification and requirements attached to the advertisement. This is your selling point and will come in handy to answer the “why should we hire you?”. Extra skillsets would give you an edge over other applicants. Knowing the appropriate salary range for the role will also help you bargain accordingly.
     

     How To Ace A Job Interview

   • The interview panel; Knowing the people who would be interviewing you and their various interests could help you determine the direction of your interview. An interview panel is most likely to entail some or all of these, the HR manager, MD branch manager of the branch, HOD of the department you have applied for and a few others.
   • Common interview questions; Most interview panels would ask at least one of the following questions.

1. Tell us about yourself
2. Why should we hire you instead of another candidate?

• Why do you want to work with us?

1. What is your biggest strength and weakness?
2. Why did you choose this profession?
3. Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Find the best ways to answer these questions and many more you’ll find in an interview preparation journal.

How To Ace A Job Interview

2. Dress code: Wear an outfit that is appropriate for the role. It is safer to wear decent, simple and smart outfits so you do not feel out of place (underdressed or overdressed). Ensure they are clean and ironed the day before. Your hair and beard should be trimmed and neatly done. Ensure you wear clean and well-polished shoes.

3. Punctuality: They say there is no second chance for a first impression. The very first impression you give a company has to be on the day of the interview. Ensure you arrive 15-20minutes before the interview. This is will help you settle in and avoid being jumpy before/during the interview. Finding out the exact venue of the interview before the D-day will go a long way. This will help streamline your arrival on the interview day.

4. Ask questions: Towards the end of the interview, most panels would ask if you have any questions. At this juncture, you need to ask some smart and important questions. This shows you have done wide research on the company and that you’ve been paying attention during the interview. A few of the general questions you can ask have been listed below;
   • Does the company support the professional development of its staff?
   • Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
   • Why did the last person in this position resign from the job?
   • Will I be on probation after resumption? If yes, how long is the probation period?
   • How does the company measure employee performance?
   • After appraisals, are hardworking employees recognized or rewarded?
   • What should I expect next, will there be a follow-up interview?

How To Ace A Job Interview

5. Practice: After gathering the necessary information and knowledge you’ll need for the job, practice them on your own. You could start by asking yourself some questions and answering them aloud in front of a mirror. You can also arrange mock interviews with friends and families to help build your confidence.

6. Go with all the necessary materials for the interview. Even if you had submitted your credentials and resume earlier, show up with a hard copy of the following; resume, cover letter, certificates, reference letters and any other document the company would have requested. These documents should be neatly arranged in a file or bag. This is will enable you to pick out any document required during the interview with ease.

Other materials to go with include a government-issued identity card, a bottle of water, a pen and a notepad for taking notes.

Do everything in your power not to be the one to interrupt the interview (either virtual or physical interview). As much as possible, mind the kind of food you eat from the day before the interview so as not to have toilet emergencies while the interview is going on.

For virtual interviews; Ensure your computer’s battery is strong and fully charged. Use a stable network connection.

How To Ace A Job Interview

The most important thing to show up with at an interview is confidence. Even when the interviewers are difficult, try as much as possible to not be nervous while maintaining calmness. Speak with confidence all through the interview. Don’t forget to thank the panel for inviting you to the interview and let them know how eager you are to work with them.

Ensure you follow up duly after the interview. This could be done by phone calls, keeping your mobile reachable or/and constantly checking your mails (primary, important or junk) for any mail from the company.