Tips on Job Interviewing Preparation

Job interviews can be a stressful process. Even if you are an expert in your field and have been working for a while, you still can feel nervous about the process

I want to share a few tips that can help you to prepare, relax and hopefully, enjoy the process :)?

Come prepared

As humans, we fear what we don’t know or worry about being judged on lack of our knowledge. A lot of times, candidates don’t take enough time to do their research on the company, industry, or culture and this can cause last-minute nerves before the interview. To avoid that, set yourself at least 45min to learn about the company you are interviewing with to get a better understanding of what they are about.

Sources to consider:

LinkedIn is a great place to get a general overview of the company, geography, and who your future colleagues will be. My advice is always to look up the person who you will be interviewing with, to have a general understanding of their experience, career, and potential touchpoints

Glassdoor - in the last years' Glassdoor became a source of insider information on the company, salaries, benefits, and general employee experience. Saying that, take everything that you see there with a pinch of salt, some people naturally will have amazing experiences, others not so much, so make sure you take time to consider all points of view.?

Social Media - now almost all employers have their Social Media page either on Facebook (Meta), Twitter, or Instagram. This is a great source of information to see the company’s culture and what it looks like to work there.?

Look for patterns in your achievements

If you have been out of interviewing for a while, you might find it difficult to summarise all your experience and present it in the best way possible. To make sure you are not missing any points, write down all your projects and achievements in the last 5+ years and analyze them for yourself. Maybe you will notice that they all have something in common, e.g. demonstrate that you are a strong leader or a good organizer, maybe you are good at analyzing data and finding solutions to problems. Finding the common string in all of your experiences shows that you are consciously moving through your career, aware of your strengths, and know what you want next?

Practice with a friend or record yourself

It might sound obvious, but many people skip this step. Having all the information lined up in your head is one thing, it’s a very different thing when you have to say it out loud. A lot of candidates tend to get the job with the 2nd or 3rd company they are interviewing with, exactly because of that. Do a mock interview with a friend or family member, imagine yourself in the setting, and make sure to talk it out loud. This step is a great confidence booster, plus you might find things that you want to change or add. Another great way to do it is to record yourself. This also can allow you to play it back and find places that you want to adjust and can boost your confidence for the real interview?

?Don’t overpromise or “sell” yourself

The interview process is a two-way street and as a recruiter, every time I speak to a candidate, I want it to be successful. The reality is, if you are being interviewed, it means that company needs you and is interested in your skillset. The idea of “selling yourself” is very outdated and not relevant anymore. You need to find the place that you want to work for, being exactly who you are. If you are enjoying the process, people you are meeting, and you find it fairly fluid and relaxed - this means you are on the right track. If you feel that you constantly need to prove yourself to the interviewers and you are not having that “ease”, that might mean that it’s not the right fit for you. Remember, you are looking for your “new home”, where you should feel comfortable. The only way you are going to be comfortable is if you are being yourself. Don’t exaggerate on your experience, it’s important that you are setting yourself up for success with the new employer and they know exactly what you have to offer and if that is what the company is looking for. In short, be yourself this will result in a win-win for both you and the company.

Last but not least - Enjoy it!

I know it might sound counterintuitive, but try to enjoy the process. You are taking extra time in your day to go through it, so might as well have a good time. Try to build connections with the interviewers, be personable, ask them the questions that you think are important. This is an opportunity to learn something new, establish new relationships and potentially have a new place of work, so don’t treat it as a scary and dragging experience, look at it from the positive perspective that enriches your personal and professional experience

Hope this was helpful and would be keen to see what are your best tips to prepare for the interview.