Job Interview Preparation - Get the Competitive Advantage

Interview preparation. Is it important? Only if you want the job!

Dress stylishly for your interview and look professional.

In most cases it is appropriate to wear a good smart suit.

Colour at this point is not important however a dark suit preferably navy or black is more suitable. A conservative look is always good however the sharper you look the better your appearance is going to be.

Ensure that your suit, shirt, tie, or blouse is well pressed and your appearance neat and tidy. It’s always a good idea if you have a briefcase and are wearing a tie to take a spare just in off chance you have an accident.

I would go as far as having a haircut and a shave and nails nicely manicured well in advance.

Personal hygiene is important also. You will be in a closed room with most likely very little ventilation. Chances are you will already be a bit nervous which can open up the sweat glands and you may perspire to a certain degree. This is natural and I don’t want you to worry, however a good anti-perspirant is well worth the money for your comfort on the day.

Take sensible precautions: wear something comfortable, again use the bathroom before you go in check your tie, blouse, teeth and hair. Ask for a glass of water if one is not provided. A few quiet deep breathing exercises will make you look and feel less agitated. More on this aspect later.

Before you go into the interview, visualise the room and the interview going fantastically well.

As part of your interview preparation envisage yourself sitting there confident and answering all the questions in real depth.

Visualise the panel giving you positive body language and the chairperson coming up to you at the end and saying "Well done, you've got the job, what a fantastic interview" The idea is to make yourself feel more calm - you don't want to come across as overconfident or too laid back.

Rehearse beforehand. This is an important part of your interview preparation. Before your interview, prepare answers to common questions the interviewer could potentially ask. It is worthwhile conducting a mock interview or presentation with your spouse, a trusted friend or a work colleague as practice. Please check the job interview questions and answers section for more help in your interview preparation.

Securing your references. Employers will always want to make sure that there are people who will provide references to them about you. Always select your referees very carefully to ensure that the person you are asking is;

Happy to provide the employer with a reference for you and,

That the person you ask will provide a positive reference.

Reach your destination early.

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your interview. Visit the ladies or gents and check your appearance. Add the finishing touches.

In most cases the interview room should be well signposted. There may well be a receptionist on duty to show you to the waiting room. Use this time to settle some nerves and take the opportunity to relax. I don’t know anybody who can do any more interview preparation at this stage, so do relax as much as you can.

In fact I normally ask my receptionist to have a brief informal conversation to put the candidate at ease while they wait on their interview.

Also remember to turn your cell phone off so it doesn’t ring during your interview. There is nothing more embarrassing than being in the flow of an excellent answer to the interview panel and your phone rings. Not good, not good at all.

Bring any essential documentation with you.

Make a checklist of all the documents you will need for the interview and ensure that you have them in on your person before leaving home. These documents may include the invitation to interview letter, extra copies of your résumé or CV, extra copies of your qualifications and certificates, your passport, driver’s license, and your Social Security card.

Sell yourself.

The interview is your chance to excel, so now is not the time to be modest. An introductory question will allow you to give a persuasive summary of why you are the best applicant for the post and what you can bring to their organisation. Your interview preparation will allow you to zone into your strong points, your capabilities, and what sets you apart from other applicants.

Don’t forget to ask relevant questions.

Based on your earlier interview preparation, ask how the responsibilities of the current post relate to the company’s objectives for the future. Interviewers are frequently impressed by applicants who can show that they researched the organisation and are knowledgeable about the company. Please see the interview preparation questions you should ask section for more great interview guidance.

Please check out the job interview tips page and many other job interview guidance pages here.

Want to know how to finish and leave the interview?

Avoid these mistakes

The Complete Job Interview Questions and Answers Guide



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