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How To Best Prepare for an Interview | Interview Preparation Success Tips

After many days of searching and looking for a Job, you finally scheduled yourself an interview, but you are scared that you are not well prepared or that you might once again miss this opportunity that took a long time to get? What if I told you that it is all in your head? The fact that you got an interview means you have come half way to getting the Job. If you were not good enough, you probably would not have gotten the interview in the first place. 

In this article we are going to be addressing issues related to preparing for an interview as well as common questions people tend to ask. Questions such as:

How do I dress for an Interview?

What questions do I expect in the interview?

How do I answer the Job Interview questions?

How best do I prepare myself for the Job Interview?

Without wasting much time, here are the top things you must know and consider when preparing for a Job interview:

Dress accordingly and Look Smart!

This is a typical situation of "First impression matters". Your interviewers see you first before having any form of interaction. You do not want to blow away your opportunity to make a good first impressions. Looking smart and sharp is key to drawing the attention of the interviewers. You have to consider the kind of Job you are applying for before dressing for the interview. 

Prepare the ideal interview attire. For firms with a formal or business-casual dress code, for the initial interview, keep your appearance simple and modest.


Are you confused as to what to wear? If you have a contact or a friend who works at the company you're interviewing with, ask if he or she can provide you with some insight into what individuals wear. If you don't have that luxury, look through their images on social media, or go to a coffee shop across the street a day or two before to see what they're wearing.

Check to see if your outfit needs to be washed, pressed, or fitted. You don't want to be the person who dusts off their "interviewing suit" that's been sitting in their closet for the past couple of years just for the occasion.

Don't overlook the details: polish your shoes, check for loose hems, and make sure your fingernails are in good shape. This is the kind of thing you don't think anyone notices, but they do!

Pamper yourself because looking your best makes you feel your best. If that means getting a facial, a haircut, a razor shave, or even a new interview attire, go for it! Feeling good about yourself will enhance your confidence, and you surely already know how important confidence is when it comes to securing your dream job. 

Know Possible Questions to Expect:

Job interviews, no matter how many you have had, may be nerve-wracking. You dress up, print out your résumé, and tell yourself to grin big–and just when you think everything is going swimmingly, the interviewer throws you a surprise question you weren't expecting. Most job interview questions are implied and as such there is no specific answer. Nevertheless, having an idea, no matter how small can help get you better prepared to tackle what ever questions may come your way. Here are a few common job interview questions you are most likely to get:

  • What can you tell me about yourself?
  • Why do you wish to work for this company?
  • How did you learn about this opportunity?
  • Tell me about something on your CV that makes you stand out as someone we should recruit?
  • In five years, where do you see yourself?
  • Tell me about a workplace conflict you've had and how you handled it?
  • What is your ideal occupation?
  • What do you anticipate from your coworkers and team?
  • How do you handle stress?
  • How would you spend your first 30 days in this position?
  • What are your pay expectations?
  • Do you have any questions?

How best to approach the Interview questions:

In a job interview, projecting confidence is just as crucial as showcasing your abilities and qualifications.
It's crucial to practice communicating, confidence and professionalism, as this can help you perform better in the room while also calming your anxiety. You do not want to express any form of confusion even though you are caught off guard. Do not be in a hurry to answer questions because they do not expect you to. Most of the questions are tricky and not straight forward. Take your time (not too much time) and articulate before attempting to give a response. Remember, asides the fact they are your interviewers, they are just humans like you.

How best to prepare yourself for the Job Interview:

Although preparing for an interview can be daunting, there are some actions you can take to ensure a good interview.

To prepare for an interview entails thinking about your objectives and qualifications in relation to the role and company. To do so, you should do some research on the organization and read the job description thoroughly to see why you would be a good fit. Let's take a look at how to prepare for an interview.

Understand The Job Description:

Taking the time to review the job posting, if one exists, is a vital component of interview preparation.
Consider what the employer is looking for in a candidate as you go through the job description.

Make a list of the abilities, knowledge, and professional and personal traits that the employer requires and that are essential for employment success. 

Find Out More about the Company:

It's critical to learn as much as possible about both the position and the company before attending a job interview. Researching a company is an important aspect of interview preparation. It will assist you in preparing to answer company-related interview questions and to ask the interviewer company-related questions. You'll also be able to see if the firm and its culture are a good match for you.

Check out the corporate website, particularly the "About Us" page, for a quick overview of the company. Read articles about the company in industry magazines or on websites to get a feel of how it compares to other companies in the same industry. You may also read customer reviews as well as reviews from current and former workers.

Talk to your friends, relations and network to see if anyone has an idea on the company. You just might be lucky to get insider information on the firm.

Practice, Practice, Practice:

Practice answering the questions that will most likely be asked during your interview. This will also assist to calm your nerves as well as build your confidence because, you will not be fumbling for a response while in the hot seat during the interview.

Try to follow the same format as the real interview when conducting the practice interview. If it's a phone interview, for example, have a friend call you so you can practice answering questions over the phone. If it's a panel interview, enlist the help of a few of friends to act as panelists.

If it's gonna be a virtual interview, make sure you're familiar with the technology, go over common job interview questions and responses, and consider how you'll reply so you're ready. 

Plan Your Big Day ahead of Time:

One of the most crucial things to consider when preparing for a job interview is how you will get there. As the old saying goes, "To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail". If you're driving to the interview, make sure you have enough gas in your car the night before. You don't want to eat too much on the way in your suit.

Make sure you arrive on time, or at least 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Make sure you know the address and, if possible, do a test run a few days ahead of time. Check the traffic reports the morning before the interview and plan a backup route just in case. If you're using the train or bus, check the weather forecast the night before and monitor public transportation websites for any delays. Keep an eye out for track work or traffic conditions that could cause your train or bus ride to be delayed. Be sure to leave the house way ahead of time to give room for eventualities.

To give yourself plenty of time, go to bed early the night before, and wake up early the next morning.

One last thing you do not want to forget is, thanking your interviewers for the opportunity. You do not want to overdo it, or sound too desperate. However, a sense of gratitude will surely go a long way. Goodluck!










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