Prepare for the Interview
The interview is in many ways the final stage in the job search process and certainly an important aspect to focus on. Your CV and cover letter are designed to lay the groundwork of your application and secure you the interview, which allows you a chance to really shine and impress your potential employer. If you have been offered an interview, the employer views you as hirable on paper, and now wants to meet you in person to further evaluate your qualifications and experience, and assess your personality, motivation, and communication/interpersonal skills. Your job is to convey a good sense of who you are and what you have to offer, and to discover if the job and organization mesh well with your values, interests and skills. Thus, an interview is a forum for two-way communication between you and your prospective employer.
Below is a quick overview of the interview preparation process. For step by step help with interviewing, consult our handouts or watch our recommended podcasts. You may also want to attend the Interviewing workshop and meet with a career advisor for interviewing advice and practice.
Interview Preparation
Once you have received a call about an interview, you must prepare. This cannot be emphasized enough. Many job applicants spend very little time preparing for an interview and, unsurprisingly, this often leads to poor results. Thorough preparation will increase your confidence and help you improve your performance and job prospects.
- Know yourself – review the self-assessment work you completed when writing your CV and cover letter. Carefully consider how you want to convey this information verbally and think of specific examples from your past experiences which highlight your skills, qualifications and achievements.
- Research – researching the industry, the employer and the position for which you are applying for, prior to an interview, is extremely important. It reflects well on your enthusiasm and the information you gain from professional organizations, business councils and relevant websites will help you prepare questions for the employer and give you a good sense of salary levels, working conditions and current market trends.
- Practice – prepare and practice answers to possible interview questions. You can schedule an appointment for a mock interview with a career advisor or you can practice with a friend to get feedback on your verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
- Contact your references – it is a good idea to reconnect with your references during the job search process so that they know what positions you are applying for and are aware they may be contacted in the near future.
- The day of the interview - dress for success and bring along any documents or information you may need, such as extra copies of your CV and a list of references. Arrive ten to fifteen minutes prior to the interview and be friendly, respectful and positive with everyone you meet.
- Follow-up - once your interview is over, you can breathe more easily, but your work is not quite finished. Many candidates miss a valuable opportunity by failing to follow up with an organization after an interview. Send a thank-you note to the interviewers within a day or two to thank them for their time and indicate your continued interest in the position. Do not be afraid to follow up with the interviewers and inquire about the status of your application if you have not heard from them within the agreed time frame.
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