Preparing for a Successful Job Interview

What you do before the interview may be just as important as the interview itself. The following tips will help you prepare for your successful interview.

  • Know the exact time and place of the interview, as well as the name and title of the interviewer. Be sure you know how to pronounce the interviewer’s name.
  • Plan what you will wear (usually a suit or similar business attire) and arrange to be especially well groomed. People rely heavily on first impressions.Check out the company’s annual reports, website and corporate directories.

Be sure you know: 

  • Where the company’s plants, offices or stores are located
  • When the company was established
  • How much the company has grown
  • What products/services the company sells
  • What growth the company anticipates

Be prepared to discuss the following: 

  • Why you chose a career in this field
  • The kind of position you would like
  • Your employment history
  • Why you left your last job
  • Your qualifications (education, experience)
  • Your strengths and weaknesses
  • Your career accomplishments
  • Your knowledge of the company
  • Why you want to work for this organization
  • What you can offer this company
  • Your future career goalsYour willingness to relocate
  • Your compensation history

Plan the questions you would like to ask. An interview is a two-way street. The employer wants to validate your qualifications and determine how well you fit the company’s culture. In turn, you want to find out whether this job will help you achieve your personal and career goals. 

You might ask questions like:

  • Why is the position available?
  • What are the specific duties and responsibilities of the position?
  • Will the company provide training?
  • Is advanced training available for those who demonstrate outstanding potential?
  • Does the company have a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy?
  • What are the company’s goals for the next few years?
  • What is the company’s timeline for making a hiring decision?

Following up

If you’re still interested in the job after the interview, write a note to the person who interviewed you, thanking him or her again for taking the time to meet with you.

If your interview was arranged through David Aplin Group, our consultant will want to talk with you before speaking with the interviewer. Let our consultant know immediately whether you are interested in the job. If you are, our consultant will help you get it!

Remember

  • A potential employer typically takes 30 to 60 minutes to conduct a job interview. That means you have less than an hour to explain your whole life’s achievement! What you do and say in this short time period could have an important impact on your career.
  • Remember that you were invited to this interview because someone in the company thought you were qualified to do the job. The employer now wants to find out more about you: your skills, intelligence, attitudes, stability, motivation and maturity. This is your opportunity to sell yourself!
  • Interviewers today are very sophisticated and are looking for long-term hires, so overall fit is very important.