Interviews

Interviews are your opportunity to showcase your strengths, share your story, and connect your skills with the needs of an employer. With the right preparation, you can walk into any interview with confidence. Use these tips to research the role, practice your responses, and present yourself professionally—so you’re ready to make a strong impression and take the next step in your career journey.

1. Research the Jobs Description

Use the employer’s posted job description as a guide. You can find under the job description a list of qualifications; qualities and the background of the employer would hire. Through the information, you will be able to align yourself. To be more specific you should research on:

Company Culture

Most modern companies have social media accounts and blogs that explain their company cultures. Those content will give you an idea of the company’s personality. It is very important to know and study a company culture to see if you are a good fit for the company.

The Role

It’s necessary for you to carefully read the job descriptions to make sure that you understand their requirements and responsibilities. This will help you to prepare for the question during the interview

The Product or Service

Try to have a basic knowledge of the main products or services the company offers. Even the role does not relate to the company product or services, you’re still looking to be part of the team.

2. Sell Yourself

The most challenging part of an interview is to sell yourself. Most people feel uncomfortable with it, but presenting yourself positively to show you have some professional skills and experiences that will make you different from the other applicants.

Make a good note of your skills which will relate to the specific role and think how your experience will help contribute to the company growth in the future. Never hide your achievement, your potential employer will want to know if you will be a good fit for the company. If you have metrics or stats show them your growth in your previous roles. It will help you to prove that you have accomplished something.

3. Practice Your Voice and Body Language

Our voice and expression are very important during interviews. Confident speaking, friendly, and body language is a way how we practice ourselves professionally. Spend time practicing with your friend, family or with any of the Career Mentors

4. Consider Your Answers to Common Interview Questions

Of course, you will not be able to guess the question that the interview will be asking, but you must be prepared with the common question that is usually asked in the interviews. Also, you will need to practice your elevator pitch which describes who you are, what you want quickly.

Examples of Common Interview Questions

• Why do you want to work here?
• What interests you about this role?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• Why you left your old job?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

5. Prepare Questions for the Interviewer(s)

Most employers feel confident when candidates ask thoughtful questions about the company or the position. You have to be prepared with a few questions for the interviewer(s) it will show that you have research about the company.

Examples of questions you could ask

• What qualities do your most successful employees have?
• I’ve really enjoyed learning more about this opportunity. What are the next steps in the hiring process?

6. Print Hard Copies of Your Resume

It is very common for employers to ask for a digital copy of your resume from their applicants, but having a hard copy of your resume makes a little change. It will help to show the employers that you are prepared and organized. You should have 2-3 printed copies to provide to multiple interviewers.

7. Follow up or a Thank You Note

After the interview, prepare to follow up with the employer. It will remind the employer of the experience. This will show them that you are sincerely interested in the position and gives you the privilege to bring up the points that you missed to mention.