Interview Preparation

No two interviews are alike; and whether a job seeker has an in-person interview or a phone interview (or both), interview preparation is a key strategy towards securing the job you want.

In most fields of work, employers use interviews as a way of assessing and recruiting potential candidates for a job.

They are never anxiety-free, even for well-seasoned job seekers.

The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared.

No two interviews are alike; and whether a job seeker has an in-person interview or a phone interview (or both), interview preparation is a key strategy towards securing the job you want.

After you have sent off your resume to an employer or posted your resume on a job-recruiting site, the next step is interview preparation.

Even if you have not yet heard back from an organization, it is vital that you have all the information necessary to be ready if they do.

It is important to be prepared for an interview at a moment’s notice.

You never know when a recruiter might call and ask to speak with you directly.

The first step in preparing for an interview is to make a summary of your background and skills.

You can review the highlights of your career history and extract these from your resume.

Putting bullet points on crucial data will help you memorize them when you cannot have your notes at hand.

In addition, you should compile a list of your strengths and weaknesses, though be sure not to sound neither over-confident or self-deprecating.

It is important to work questions to your advantage.

Next, you should try to imagine yourself as the employer; and try to predict the things they may wish to know about you.

In your interview preparation, make a list of questions, ranging from how you solve complex problems to where you see yourself five years from now.

Some questions may try to extract information about your professional behavior, while others may try to get an indication of your character.

Have a short list of work accomplishments that you can review quickly, and take time the to research the company so you'll be ready with a set of knowledgeable answers.

Interview preparation is not easy for everyone.

Many find it a paralyzing situation, and often clam up or forget vital information.

It is always helpful to practice going through a mock interview with a friend.

This kind of interview preparation will give you more confidence when you have to endure the real thing, and you can rehearse the typical questions that you may be asked.

I have used a tape-recorder on occasion to check for any hesitancy or uncertainty in my voice.

It is important to bring your resume with you when you attend in interview, as many employers will wish to refer it in their questions.

Make sure you dress professionally and bring a pen and notepad for taking notes, in case the employer may wish to give you any information.

This kind of interview preparation goes far when trying to impress an employer, and will help you present yourself well.

Give yourself more than enough time to get to the interview, so that you will not feel rushed or panicked.

This will help you to mentally and physically prepare yourself before speaking to a potential employer.

I find taking a walk, drinking some tea or going over my notes helps to relax me.

Though interview preparation may entail a lot of fact-checking, it also requires being calm under pressure.

All these strategies can help you approach any potential job with a clearer focus and a confident attitude.

Employers will notice the difference too, and it may mean the difference between getting the job- or getting passed over.

Glossary: Recruitment Recruitment refers to the process of finding right people for the right job or function, usually undertaken by recruiters. It also may be undertaken by an employment agency or a member of staff at the business or organization looking for recruits. Mock Interview A mock interview is videotaped interview, and one of the very best ways to prepare for a real life employment interview. It allows you to gain experience and practice in answering questions which you are likely to be asked by the recruiter. After the interview, you can watch the videotape to see yourself as others see you, and in academic career's offices you may be given constructive feedback regarding your interviewing style and how you responded to the questions.

Online resources and related articles about interview preparation: Job interview preparation Interview Skills. Hints and Tips on CVs, Job Interview Questions, Interview Technique, Interview Advice and Job Hunting. Job Interview Skills - Going for a Job at www.impactfactory.com Case interview preparation At BCG's Website You will find 3 different sections: Interview Tips - Each interview has two parts: the personal discussion and the case. Learn how to prepare for the case interview - Interactive Case - A "hands-on" example of how we work our way through a typical client project - Practice Cases - Read these cases to see our suggestions for getting to the heart of some key issues. Careers at BCG (Boston Consulting Group) - Interview Preparation

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