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How to Prepare for a Job Interview

© by Photo courtesy of alis.alberta.ca

Getting scheduled for a job interview means that you already got one foot in the door. The only thing that you have to do now is to convince the interviewer that you are the best candidate. The result of the job interview is the deciding factor whether you will get hired or not.

Today, we will give you some tips on how to nail it. From clothing to posture, to dodging tricky questions—we have it all.

1. Understand the Problem

Sure, you know what is required of you from the job. Your role is found in the job description when you responded to the job posting. However, there is an underlying reason why the company needed to hire. What is this reason?

This reason is called a problem. Every company that looks forward to hiring for any position has a problem. They want to get it solved. If the job you are applying for is a software engineer, the problem is they want to launch software or probably maintain it. If the job is for an accountant, the problem is the balance sheet and taxation.

You need logical skills. Most of the time, the interviewers are not exactly looking for a correct answer. What they are looking for is your ability or capacity to think things through.

Always keep this in mind, and make sure you present yourself as a problem solver—not as an employee applicant. You need to convince the interviewer that you understand the pain of the company and that you are there to fix it.

2. Come Early and in the Right Attire

Do not come to the interview on time. Come early. How early depends on what country you are in. In some cultures, people frown at people who come too early, like 30 minutes early. The interviewer gets pressured to come to see you.

We can say that 15 minutes should be fine. However, you need to take into account some things like filling out forms, queuing in line at the building lobby, and many more.

You must also come in the right attire. If you are applying for an office job, show yourself in formal clothing. Wear a suit if you have to. 

Why are these two things important? Punctuality tells so much about you. If you are late for your interview, it gives off a vibe that you are not in control of the situation. The interviewer may also think that you will have attendance issues later on.

The way you dress says something about how you take the job seriously. It tells the employer whether or not you respect the company and the position you are applying for. What you are wearing matters even in your pastime – for example, you won’t be let in the luxurious casino if your clothes are too informal, though it’s not the case with online casinos like the casino Vulkan.

3. Prepare Your Answers

In an interview, there are universal questions that we have to expect. Some of these questions are “tell me something about yourself” or “what is your biggest accomplishment in life?”

Prepare your answers and practice. If you have a friend who could do a mock interview with you, then you should ask that friend to take some time with you to practice. Not only will you get fluent, but you will also learn how to stay calm.

4. Dodge Tricky Questions

Many job interview questions seem asinine. For example, an interviewer may ask about the distance of the moon from the earth. If you get asked questions like this, do not attempt to answer them with the “right” answer. What the interviewer is looking for is your capacity to find a solution to the problem. First, you have to admit that you do not know, but that you can look for the answer.

The interviewer is also looking at how you respond to pressure—situations where you are helpless. In a time like this, you have to stay calm, acknowledge what the problem is and discuss the problem as much as you could.

If you get asked questions like this, never take a defensive stance. Do not show your annoyance to the interviewer, as this will show them that you have issues handling situations under pressure. You have to convince yourself that you have the capacity to think things through, that you are rational and not emotional.  

A job interview is the most critical phase of the application process. It is here where you will shine. It is your opportunity to show that you are dependable and that that management can rely on you. Come early, be presentable and show a positive attitude to get the job.

Show the interviewer that you have a good outlook on life. Many interviewers frown upon people who are negative. Lastly, make sure your social media is not full of hate speeches and similar things—you will not get hired if you have the potential to be a problem.