How To Prepare for an Interview: Preparation Tips

Preparing for an Interview

If you have an upcoming job interview, preparation is key to making a solid first impression and increasing your chances of a second interview and landing the job. To support the process, it’s important that you’re clear on the type of interview you have. Why? Because interview preparation largely depends on the type of interview you have.

Here are some interview preparation tips to help you prepare for the different types of interviews you might have.

How To Prep for Job Interview Questions

One of the most essential interview preparation tips to take to heart is preparing for interview questions. Make a list of common interview questions and write out your answers. The Daley team also recommends that you speak your responses out loud to hear how you sound and boost your confidence.

Here are some common questions that you are likely to be asked in an interview to help you get started practicing:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why are you interested in the position?
• What type of work environment do you thrive in?
• How do you handle stressful situations?
• How do you keep yourself focused when balancing multiple projects?
• When have you dealt with a challenging coworker, and how did you handle it?
• Give me an example of a time when you made a mistake and what you did to fix it.

How To Prepare for an Informational Interview

An informational interview is less formal and is more of a conversation between a job candidate and someone who works in the field or at an organization of interest. These interviews serve the purpose of seeking advice, information, and market trends you might be interested in.

Here are some tips on how to prepare for an interview that falls into the informational bucket.

• Clarify your goals. Why do you want to learn during the informational interview?
• Identify who you want to interview and make the interview request. Be professional and ask the individual if they have time to speak with you to answer some questions about the industry and their role.
• Research the industry, job, or organization. Prepare by conducting research, and build the conversation and your questions around it.
• Create a list of open-ended questions focused on the individual’s role and industry.

An important note is that an informational interview is not the time to ask for a job. Doing so could be a turn-off, and the person you’re speaking with might shut down. However, if they offer to recommend you for a job, take advantage of it and show your appreciation for the opportunity.

How To Prepare for an Interview with a Recruiter

External recruiters, like Daley And Associates, connect job candidates with employers. An interview with an external recruiter is focused on your goals and interests so the recruiter can get to know you and successfully place you in the proper role. Recruiters can also support you by helping you ensure your job marketing materials are up to par and prep for an interview.

Here are some tips when you’re meeting with a recruiter:

• Have copies of your resume to share.
• Be prepared to share your interests, goals, and the types of companies and positions you’re interested in.
• Be honest about your interests and whether you’re working with other agencies.

How To Prepare for an In-Person Interview

You’ve impressed the employer enough with your resume to land the interview. Now, it’s time to meet the hiring team in person.

In-person interviews offer the benefits of reading non-verbal cues more easily and connecting on a deeper level with the hiring team than a phone or virtual interview often allows. With that said, it’s essential to come prepared and showcase your confidence as soon as you walk into the room.

During in person interviews, it’s paramount to understand how you’re being perceived through your body language, especially when you’re in a live interview because there’s no place to hide.

To prepare for an in-person interview, the Daley team recommends the following interview preparation tips.

1. Be prepared to talk about yourself with a lot of confidence, which means clearly answering the simple and common interview questions, “Tell me about yourself.” and “Tell me why you’re interested in the opportunity.” These are the first two interview questions you’ll likely be asked.
2. Be prepared to discuss all the intangible items you can’t see on a resume. For example, on a resume, you can’t necessarily tell how detail-oriented someone is or their level of follow-through. These are the types of items to address during the interview with examples.
3. Be sure to dress to impress and look your best with adequate grooming.
4. Practice your closing and ensure you clearly express your interest in the position.
5. Ask thoughtful questions that elicit a response that allows you to get into a conversation with the interviewer, above and beyond simple yes/no answers.

How To Prepare for an Internal Interview

You might feel more at ease and prepared for an interview at your current organization since you’re familiar with it and its key players. With that said, you don’t want to be confident to the point that you fail to prepare.

Internal job interviews are often just as competitive as external interviews. Refrain from assuming you have a leg up over external candidates or other internal candidates. Instead:

• Do your homework. Research the position to ensure you understand how the organization and department view it and how it impacts short- and long-term goals.
• Dress to impress. Walk into the interview with the appropriate attire and grooming to make a good impression.
• Practice interviewing. Like an external interview, you’ll likely be asked questions about your background, accomplishments, mistakes, goals, skills, and how you add value. Prepare a list of questions and practice your answers out loud.

Are you ready to land your next job? Daley And Assocaites’ recruiting services can help you identify jobs that are the right fit for you and, from there, help you find placement. Contact us today for more information!