PREPARE FOR A JOB INTERVIEW IN 6 WAYS

PREPARE FOR A JOB INTERVIEW IN 6 WAYS
Microfinance Jobs
Advice, jobs Mar 15, 2022 0

“Why haven’t I cleared an interview yet?” is what many of us ask when faced with constant rejections. We know standing out in a sea of prospective candidates isn’t easy. But we also know that we might actually have what it takes to ace the job profile we have applied for, so what’s wrong?

Yes, we might have the skills the job requires, but do we have what it takes to ace the job interview first? Are we truly preparing for what comes before, rather than after?

Preparing for a job interview is as important as preparing for the career we want. Without further ado, MicrofinanceJobs.net presents you with the six important ways you can prepare for and ace a job interview:

REVIEW:

To start things with, you must know the exact requirements the job seekers have detailed in their job vacancy description. Try to understand the employer’s perspectives and what/who they’re seeking. Analyse the details like years of expertise and/or experience required, along with their expectations, and try to place yourself as that prospective candidate who’s able to fulfil the aforementioned.

Soft skills are extremely important, but putting them across might just be as hard. As you review the job description, review yourself and your application. Identify the important keywords they have used to describe their needs and try to align them with the skills you have mentioned in your CV/Resume. Work on the gaps you come across. When your skills and qualifications closely match with their needs and requirements, you attain a higher chance of impressing the employer(s).

RESEARCH:

So now that we have an idea as to what they’re looking for, what about a glimpse into their company’s way of working? Do your homework and get a better understanding of what the organisation does, what their modus operandi is, and what are the values and beliefs they operate on. When you’ve done your research and preparation, you have already started the process of giving the interview. When the interviewer notices this trait about you, they’re highly likely to be more interested in you and your work.

Moreover, always remember to thoroughly check out the company website, their track record with Human Resources, work culture, management, the people they work with and the clients they serve. It’s important to get an insight so you know who you’re communicating with. You’re no longer communicating with the interviewers but the company itself.

Now that you understand it better, you are better prepared to acknowledge what’s to be expected from you. This basic understanding at the start helps you go a long way.

So do your research, show your work, and remember to engage.

PRACTICE:

Research leads to practice. When you gain information, you also prepare yourself to utilise that information. What does that mean? Prepare a list of questions before you show up for the interview. Based on your research, this will help you get an overview of what’s to come, and based on your research-based questions the interviewers will hold your capabilities into consideration.

Along with this, make another list of questions that you think are more likely to be asked to you in the interview. Practice your way of communicating the answers and the language you use, beforehand. This too shall show the interviewers that you are indeed prepared.

Some of the basic questions you can start with are:

  1. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  2. Why did you decide to apply for this job?
  3. What were your contributions to the workplace in your previous employment?
  4. Why should we hire you? How will your skills contribute to the company?

Once you practice communication and mock interviews with conviction, you move a step ahead in standing out.

A PROFESSIONAL LOOK:

As we talk about the ways you can prepare yourself for a job interview, we must acknowledge the importance of an interview attire; the way you look and the way you present yourself.

You must look at the part.

Decide and prepare what to wear for the interview a few days ahead. First impressions are as essential as everyone makes them out to be. Don’t wait until the last minute to make preparations around your interview clothes. Regardless of the role you’ve applied for, it’s always better to go with a professional look. Yes, even if the interview is online.

As per your preferences, you can go for a blouse and skirt or tailored slacks, and/or suit attire with a tie and a button-down shirt.

But that’s not it. A professional look doesn’t end at your clothes alone. You should look neat, tidy, and presentable. For that, you must take your accessories and hairstyle into consideration. Make sure you have a clean haircut and haven’t over-accessorized yourself.

Last but not least, remember to complement your outfit with confidence.

CONFIDENCE:

Following on what we just mentioned in the preceding point — prepare yourself by keeping a check on your confidence. A trail of successful events can only be led by confidence. Start to work on your confidence days before you actually go in for the interview. Practice speaking confidently, being assured in your abilities, in your skin, and in your own self. The stronger your foundation is, the stronger is your confidence.

It’s easier said than done, yes. But when an interviewer sees that you’re sure about yourself, they become sure of you as well. This will also help you self-conduct interview etiquettes. As you watch your confidence, you also learn to watch your body language. Though remember to mind the thin line between confidence and overconfidence. You don’t want to look unprofessional. This is where interview etiquette comes in.

Here are a few tips on Interview Etiquette:

  • Be on time.
  • Listen.
  • Do not interrupt.
  • Address the interviewer with proper mannerisms.
  • If unsure about the pronunciation of the interviewers’ name, ask them politely beforehand.
  • Politely address them with their preferred pronouns.
  • Keep good eye contact.
  • Be respectful and inclusive.
  • Show gratitude.

Once you get better equipped on the aforementioned, what’s left is to simply be honest about what you can do and what your abilities are.

DRAFT A THANK YOU NOTE:

Yes, a sign of gratitude is usually shown after the end of an interview. And that’s the case here too. But just as it’s important to make preparations pre-interview, it’s also better to make any preparation for post-interview. A ‘Thank you Note’ falls in the latter category. Draft it beforehand, but only send this(via e-mail), after you’ve made the final additions after the interview.

Start with a simple “Thank you for taking the time to interview me today for abc position at xyz company. It was a great experience getting to interact with you and (add other interviewers’ names)….”

Remember to keep it concise and to still get your point across. A ‘thank you note’ is also helpful in case you missed answering some of their questions, or you forgot to ask any of your own. It’s also good etiquette.

In case you observe a disconnect after giving the interview, that you think can easily be cleared, mention the same on the ‘thank -you note/email’. This is where you make any changes, additions, edits, that are required as per the way your interview went. Depending on that, you make the final changes and send it across.

You might think that this is something that can altogether be done after the interview and might not need much pre-attention, but you’ll be surprised to know how many candidates fail to follow the important factors and ultimately fail to send the note across. When you prepare something like a ‘thank you note’ beforehand, you are able to keep a better check on its language, presentation, etc. Your impression lasts till the very end, so make the most of it.

Here is a resource for you to consult on a follow-up ‘Thank-you Notes/Letter/Email’ after the job interview ends.

So what do you think? Was that a good read? We, at MicrofinanceJobs.net, hope to have provided you with better insights into preparing for a job interview. We wish you all the best moving forward. Go ace that interview!

Let us know if we missed anything in the comments below and do share your thoughts!

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