You know the feeling. Getting that e-mail that says that the human resources recruiter invites you for an interview after being impressed by your cover letter and curriculum vitae. Instantly, you’re hit with excitement and nervousness at once. It is normal to feel apprehensive about an upcoming job interview, especially if you’ve never done one before. Here are a few tips on how you should prepare for an interview.
Research the company
This is undoubtedly the first thing you should do. In fact, it should be something you do before you apply for the position. Knowing the company’s inside and out before an interview will help you understand how you can contribute to it with your skills and experience. The interviewer will likely give you a case according to the operations of the company, and the more you understand it the better. It will also impress the interviewer to see that you’ve gone through the trouble of studying the company.
Understand the position you want
Being asked why you choose your position is a common interview question. Understand the role of your position and the job description, try to find people that have the same job position so they can tell you about what they have to do the job. You should also tell the interviewer what skills and experience you have that makes you perfect for the position. Human resources won’t grant you the position if you simply seek it because it looks fun. You always have to have some background on it. Different companies require different backgrounds. Usually, you’ll need to have a six month to one-year working experience related to the position.
Dress appropriately
How you dress is essential to the outcome of the interview. Your non-verbal communication, or your image, is the first thing that your interviewer will see. Dress like how you’re going to work, and don’t over-accessorize. For men, it is best to wear a proper suit or a formal shirt with a tie and a pantsuit. Wear formal shoes as well. For women, it’s best to wear a formal dress or a formal shirt and skirt. A suit set is also nice. It’s a must for women to wear heels.
Practice speaking
You might think speaking one-on-one with a person can’t be too nerve-wrecking, but it is. This is a job that you want, and you’re talking to someone who is going to judge your every word and actions. That’s why it’s important to practice how you will answer in front of a mirror or a friend who pretends to be the interviewer.
