INTERVIEW PREPARATION TIPS

A job interview process is an opportunity for a candidate, to make a strong positive impression on a hiring company. Prior preparation is vital for success in such a case. Below is a checklist meant to prepare you in advance.

Learn about the Position and Role
It is vitally important for the candidate to know extensively about an offered position. Most of questions in an interview is meant to assess the candidate’s ability to perform in a specific role, through sheer skill, determination and self-sufficiency. Having little or no prior knowledge about job position create uncertainties that puts a candidate in a serious disadvantage during an interview.

Learn about the Company
Prior knowledge about a company’s operations is also vital for making a positive impression during an interview. It is essential that a candidate research about the company’s history and background, present leadership, major products and services, financial performance and future outlook. This also allows the candidate to ask intelligent questions or to demonstrate personal compatibility in an interview, leading to favorable outcomes.

Review the details of your own Resume
Not knowing or remembering your own skills and experiences during an interview can end any possibilities of success, and create a negative impression on interviewers. The candidate must be prepared at all times to support the information presented in his/her resume, with helpful facts and anecdotes. Providing too much information can also jeopardize one’s chances, and ought to be avoided. The candidate is expected to carry updated copies of his/her resume into an interview, and furnish them if and when requested.

Groom Yourself
The candidate is expected to attend an interview in a well-groomed condition. He/She is expected to dress conservatively (in formal attires such as suits, ties and shoes). The attire must be clean and tasteful. Women should avoid putting on too much makeup or perfumes. Men are expected to shave or trim any facial hair. Finger nails ought to be clean or trimmed, and spectacles with dark shades are to be avoided. 

Be Present on Time
It is vital that the candidate arrive to the interview on time. To avoid delays, he/she ought to know the location, transportation options and travel time in advance. It is considered polite to arrive 5-10 minutes early. In case of delays, be sure to inform the interviewer beforehand. Keep the interviewer’s contact details with you, for such cases. 

Answer all Inquiries Thoughtfully 
The candidate must maintain a pleasant demeanor at all times. He/She must conduct himself/herself in an honest and truthful manner. Proper eye contact and bodily posture is essential. He/she ought to listen intently when the interviewer speaks. He/she must understand the interviewer’s question completely before making a reply. It is recommended to wait a few seconds between a question and answer.

Ask Relevant Questions
Based on prior research of the job position and company operations, the candidate is to prepare some intelligent questions for the interviewer. Salary negotiations are generally to be avoided on the first interview. 

Follow-up Shortly after an Interview
Once an interview is complete, the candidate must personally send an email/ letter on the same day, thanking the interviewer for the opportunity. It may be helpful to remind the interviewer of the candidate’s continued interest on the role, and efforts to followup any unresolved issues during the interview.

COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 

Each job interview process is a unique experience. The questions posed to the candidate depend largely on the job position, experience, and other factors pertaining to the company. Nevertheless, there are some common pattern in the inquiry.

Below are a list of the 50 Most Common Interview Questions, meant to prepare you in advance: 

• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Why are you interested in working for [insert company name here]?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
• Why do you want to leave your current company?
• Why was there a gap in your employment between [insert date] and [insert date]?
• What can you offer us that someone else can not?
• What are three things your former manager would like you to improve on?
• Are you willing to relocate?
• Are you willing to travel?
• Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.
• Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
• What is your dream job?
• How did you hear about this position?
• What would you look to accomplish in the first 30 days/60 days/90 days on the job?
• Discuss your resume.
• Discuss your educational background.
• Describe yourself.
• Tell me how you handled a difficult situation.
• Why should we hire you?
• Why are you looking for a new job?
• Would you work holidays/weekends?
• How would you deal with an angry or irate customer?
• What are your salary requirements?
• Give a time when you went above and beyond the requirements for a project.
• Who are our competitors?
• What was your biggest failure?
• What motivates you?
• What’s your availability?
• Who’s your mentor?
• Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss.
• How do you handle pressure?
• What is the name of our CEO?
• What are your career goals?
• What gets you up in the morning?
• What would your direct reports say about you?
• What were your bosses’ strengths/weaknesses?
• If I called your boss right now and asked him what is an area that you could improve on, what would he say?
• Are you a leader or a follower?
• What was the last book you’ve read for fun?
• What are your co-worker pet peeves?
• What are your hobbies?
• What is your favorite website?
• What makes you uncomfortable?
• What are some of your leadership experiences?
• How would you fire someone?
• What do you like the most and least about working in this industry?
• Would you work 40+ hours a week?
• What questions haven’t I asked you?
• What questions do you have for me?

Information Credit: Forbes.com