How To Prepare For A Job Interview

Ah, the dreaded interview. As the fastest growing recruitment agency in Australia, we know what it takes to make a lasting impression. We also have seen plenty of what not to do. To learn how to prepare for an interview to ensure you make a good impression in any industry, here’s a comprehensive guide from your friendly recruitment experts.

Confirm The Details

The worst thing you can do at a job interview is to not show up. To avoid this, triple-check the time and date of your interview and confirm those details with the interviewer well before the interview date. Don’t be afraid of contacting them to confirm the date and time – it shows them that you care and want to make a great impression! Make sure you have their contact details on hand in case of an emergency on the day.

Do Your Research

Research The Company

Companies have ‘About Us’ pages on their websites for a reason! No matter how many jobs you’re interviewing for, ensure you always research the hiring company. This can seem tedious when you’re attending multiple interviews in one day, but it’s an essential step.

Interviewers will often ask you to summarise what their company does. The more research you do, the more comfortably you’ll be able to speak on the topic and the more proactive, dedicated, and thorough you’ll appear.

Research & Practise Answering Common Interview Questions

When it comes to answering interview questions, practice makes perfect. Have your answers to the most common interview questions ready to go so that you’re not caught off-guard.

Here are a few of the most common interview questions across all industries:

• What made you apply for this position?
• What are your salary expectations?
• What relevant experience and expertise do you have?
• What can you bring to the role beyond the basic responsibilities?
• Can you summarise what our company does?
• Are you willing to travel?
• Where were you most recently employed?
• Why did you leave?
• What were your responsibilities?
• What problems did you solve?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• Do you work well under pressure?
• What are your career goals?
• What do you seek in a working environment?
• Tell me about yourself.

Come Up With Your Own Questions

Impress your Interviewer by asking them non-generic questions. Show them you are interested in the role and company. Take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions and feel out whether the role is right for you. Asking questions will also show that you are serious and have deeply thought about the position.

Not sure what to ask? Check out the below list:

• What do you like most about working at this company?
• What challenges do you think I would face in this role?
• How would you describe the company’s culture?
• What kind of growth opportunities are available?
• What do you think are the key skills and qualities needed to be successful in this role?
• How would you describe the ideal candidate for this role?
• What kind of support is available for employees in this role?
• What do you think sets this company apart from its competitors?
• How do you measure success in this role?
• Do you have any concerns or hesitations about considering me for this role? In response to this, counter their concerns and affirm why you are the ideal candidate.

Interview-Day Preparation

Dress The Part

There’s no such thing as overdressing for an interview! It’s easy to overthink what you should wear to an interview. In most cases, the most obvious answer is the right one. Through your company research, you’ll likely get a rough idea of the company dress code. If not, just go for smart but simple business wear. The most important thing is to look professional while being comfortable.

Bring All Relevant Resources With You

Better safe than sorry! It’s always a good idea to bring paper copies of any relevant resources your interviewer could benefit from seeing. This could be your CV, cover letter, qualification certificates or examples of your work. It never hurts to have these resources on hand, even if you don’t end up needing them.

Be Professional & Treat Everybody With Respect

Seems like a no brainer and it should go without saying, but you would be surprised at just how many interviewees save their best behaviour only for the interviewer. It’s important to treat every person you meet with respect throughout the entire interviewing process. You never know who in the building could be your interviewer, future co-worker, or potential boss.

Don’t Be Afraid To Stop & Think

Breathe! When you don’t have an immediate response, pause to take a breath and think. Your Interviewer won’t mind if you pause for a moment to think – it shows you care about your response and want to say something impactful! So often in interviews, people panic and draw a complete blank. This can easily result in rambling answers that talk around the point. To avoid this, don’t be afraid to stop and think.

While the silence may seem insufferable at the time to pause, it’s better than mumbling out a response that you don’t feel good about. Don’t forget – we’re all human and need time to think sometimes.