How to Prepare for a Successful Job Interview
Do you have an interview for a part-time or full-time job or an internship? Interview preparation is crucial to ensure you make a strong impression and increase your chances of landing the position. Whether this is your first interview or you’re experienced, you should dedicate time to prepare. We’ve created a step-by-step guide to help you through this process.
1. Set Expectations
Before the interview, it's a good idea to reach out to the hiring manager or recruiter to understand what to expect. They can provide valuable information about the interview format and specific focus areas. If you don't receive information, don't worry; there are other ways to prepare.
Utilize online resources like Glassdoor, where you can often find interview experiences and insights from previous candidates. This research will help you tailor your preparation to the company's expectations.
2. Research the Company
An essential step in interview preparation is understanding the company you're interviewing with. Explore their website, LinkedIn page, and other relevant social media platforms to gain insights into their mission, values, projects, achievements, and involvement in the community. This knowledge will allow you to demonstrate a genuine interest in the company during the interview.
3. Gather Common Interview Questions
Create a list of common interview questions related to the specific role you're applying for and topics likely to be covered.
After each interview, add any unexpected or challenging questions you encountered to your list. It will help you be better prepared for future interviews.
4. List Achievements and Challenges
To showcase your qualifications during the interview, list your professional achievements and challenges you've overcome in the past. You can also discuss academic and extracurricular experiences that exhibit your leadership and problem-solving capabilities.
Even if you haven’t worked anywhere before, you can still show that you’re well-qualified for the position you’re interviewing for. It will enable you to respond to questions with confidence.
Keep a list of keywords and notes to jog your memory during a phone interview. It’s essential to maintain a conversational tone and avoid reading responses verbatim.
5. Watch Interview Examples
The internet is a valuable resource for finding example interviews. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok offer videos that provide insights into how to answer tough interview questions. Watching these examples will help you understand how to frame your responses.
During the Interview
During the interview, you can expect to see behavioral questions. These seek to understand how you approach and navigate various situations. Here are a few examples:
Tell me about a time you ran into conflict while working with a team. What did you do to resolve the situation?
Can you describe a time when you failed?
Describe a situation that involved making a difficult decision.
To handle behavioral interview questions effectively, share an experience relevant to the question asked. You can do this by using the STAR method:
S - Situation: Set the scene and provide context.
Example: "I once had a project where I expected to receive an 'A' grade, but I ended up with a 'C.' It surprised me because I thought I had met all the rubric criteria."
T - Task: Describe the problem or challenge you faced.
Example: "I needed to figure out how to secure an 'A' grade on my next project."
A - Action: Explain what you did to address the situation and how you solved it.
Example: "I completed my next project ahead of time and scheduled a review session with my teacher to review my work before handing it in."
R - Result: Share the outcome and the impact of your actions.
Example: "Based on my teacher's feedback, I made adjustments before handing in my project. This time, I received an 'A'.
Bonus L - Learn: Reflect on what you learned from the experience.
Example: "This experience taught me the importance of clarifying requirements. Giving myself more time and effective communication helped ensure I was on the right track."
Practice, Practice, Practice:
Preparation isn't complete without practice:
Practice answering common interview questions out loud or with a partner. It doesn’t matter if your partner works in the job industry you’re interviewing for – you can ask any family member or friend to interview you!
Seek out mock interview opportunities, possibly through your school or online programs. These experiences can help you practice with different interviewers and receive valuable feedback.
Asking Questions
You will likely have a chance to ask questions. Embracing this opportunity is crucial for two reasons:
It demonstrates your genuine interest in the company.
It allows you to evaluate if the company is the right fit for you.
You can bring a list of questions written on paper to the interview (no need to memorize them). It showcases your readiness and is an opportunity to mention any additional information about yourself that didn't come up during the interview. In addition, this is an excellent time to ask questions related to your research of the company, which highlights your genuine interest and leaves a positive impression that sets you apart from other candidates.
Final Thoughts
Interview preparation is a critical step in the job-seeking process. By setting expectations, researching the company, gathering common questions, listing achievements and challenges, and practicing, you'll boost your confidence and increase your chances of success. And always remember, if you have an interview that doesn't go well, take it as a valuable learning opportunity to enhance your performance for your next interview.
Related posts
https://upchieve.org/blog/best-tools-for-career-exploration-for-high-schoolers
https://upchieve.org/blog/2018/9/26/6-ways-to-make-your-part-time-job-work-toward-your-future-career