Prepare For Your Job Interviews Like You Would For Your Finals

The start of school is looming, and if you're entering your final year then your the next generation of applicants for employers, and if you’re in the last year of education then you’re going back to school with a premeditated plan to work, study and learn until you’re blue in the face. So ask yourself this, If you prepare so much for a test that determines a grade on a piece of paper and the credentials you need in order to get your foot on the career ladder, then why wouldn’t you prepare for those all-important job interviews in the same way, to the same magnitude? All of that work and time you previously put into studying to get you through the door, is all for nothing if you do not apply the same student mentality.

Afterall, securing that high grade you so desire, means you have a bigger chance at potentially being offered your preferred income and job role. But the initial job interview itself is the deciding factor between whether you’re making money or not, so your livelihood is riding on how much preparation you put into the interview. So here are three things you should do before the big day:

Research

It pays to do your research, quite an obvious one most might say, but the majority of people read a few lines on the company's bio page and think that they have the whole picture. But if you want to prepare properly, you need to know whom you are meeting in the flesh, take an interest in reading up about the CEO/interviewer. Find their professional platforms online, whether it’s LinkedIn or an article they have been featured in or written, find out where they studied, their interests, do you have any mutual hobbies or contacts? All of this information allows you to exchange mutual ground, shows that you understand the history behind the company and it’s CEO, and you are prepared for any questions about the company’s background.

Remember tho, knowledge may be power, but amongst all the facts and the figures, you must remain yourself and allow your personality to come through, then you have a better chance at building a real relationship with the interviewer.  Like they say, ‘Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there’.

Arm Yourself

There are three very important weapons you need in your arsenal when attending an interview, just like you would for your final exams, you have to be prepared for cleverly worded questions, to give evidence to back up your answers and lastly, you should remember to ask questions at the end. An interviewer will want to know how your skills will be an asset to their company and why this is where you need to prepare an answer with a detailed example that you can reference. They will also want to know your weaknesses, they might word this in a way to try and catch you out, but do not give them a list of your flaws, as this is not what they are asking, instead tell them what you are working on to improve, and how this role in their company will allow you to practice this, and how it will be an advantage to them. As well as being fully equipped with self-assessments, you need to have prepared two or three questions for the interviewer, it’s as much about you impressing them, as it is about the company benefiting you. The interview is a chance to build a mutual understanding about the potential agreement to work with one another, so you must ask any questions you have about what will be expected of you and what you will be agreeing to.

Go To Bed Ready

Last but not least, another obvious one, but always left to chance and things we could have controlled may affect our time management or presentation on the day. So plan your day ahead of time. The night before, have your clothes ready, shoes polished, suit cleaned, and whatever necessary things you need for the next day. By doing this you save time, you allow extra time for inconveniences and you feel confident about the day. Afterall, failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

So if you have just graduated or are about to embark on your final year of studies, one thing for sure, you're most certainly thinking about your career and the steps needed to make it happen, so do the right thing by yourself and maintain a healthy student mentality. Continue to self-educate yourself, soak up information like a sponge, always ask questions, and prepare like your future depends on it because it really does!