Plan for success. Gather the answers to any testing questions that the interview panel may throw at you about the company itself. Have the detail on the company’s latest launches and financials at your fingertips. You should look mega keen to join the company, but also be able to back this up with your fanatical knowledge about the organisation too.
Some great information can be found at the following sites:
Google the company’s website as a first step. Learn how the company wants to be known as well as the market they operate in and the services they sell. Align yourself with the company’s corportate style and tone. Look at the annual report and have a look at their press releases.
As you filter all this information, think about how the role you’re going for links to the department’s purpose. You may also be able to utilize the site’s search function to ascertain more about the person or panel members who will be questioning you.
Invest the time to look at websites to discover anything you can about the department. Use Google News to read some of the latest info about the company. You could even dig into the current employees facebook pages to learn insights into what it’s like to work there.
It’s also worth searching for your own name to see what crops up – your potential employer may be doing the same thing.
Industry sources – It’s not just information about the company you need – you should also have a good background knowledge of the industry so you can impress at the interview. Browse through business publications and websites to see what they are writing about your potential employer and their industry. Have a look on the newsstands at the big magazine retailers – there’s an amazing list of publications out there.
Look through back issues of trade publications – either online or at your local library. You can even obtain some journals for free on their websites.
Don’t be frightened to ask people what they think of the company you are applying for. Especially useful if you work in the industry – obviously be discreet.
Preparing yourself – Schedule sufficient time for proper interview preparation. This is an area that you could start to steal a march on your competitors. You must prepare for your interview just as intensely as you prepared for your examinations.
A few ideas:
Have a friend ask you the common interview questions in a practice interview session.
Be sure you know the time, date and location of the interview and the name of interviewers.
Know how you will get to the interview. Plan for any potential problems and be confident that you will be able to arrive about a quarter of an hour before your alloted time.
Dress powerfully so that you will perform powerfully. Plan what you will wear in advance.
Don’t take anything with you to the interview that is not essential. Focus on your purpose and don’t have too many distractions to worry about.
If you are asked to bring certificates, references, etc, get them ready well in advance to avoid having to chase around on the morning of the big day.
It may sound patronising, but make sure you use the toilet before you go in – you don’t want to be bursting to go when you’re mid-interview.
Be methodical – Sit down and quietly study your CV. Note down all of the elements of your work record and achievements that you want the interview panel to learn. Ask yourself a series of what, why, where, when, who and how questions to gather the detail about your candidacy.
Always link the specfic areas of your work record to the job description. The interviewer should clearly understand why they must hire you.
Don’t forget that a common interview question is the “Tell me about yourself” question. Create and practice a balanced answer to this question. It needs to be focussed and structured. Let them know about the kind of person that you are.
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