Two essential steps to prepare yourself for an interview

Do you expect to receive interview requests from all the potential employers you’ve sent a resume to? According to Forbes, only 20% of applicants get to this stage. This means that 4 out of 5 resumes will go unnoticed. Still, if you’ve prepared your CV well and sent, let’s say, 20 job applications you will get called up for an interview 4 times. And the interview is no small task for a job seeker. Job search and answering job interview questions require a lot of energy and practice to be on top of your game.

For all positions, except for entry-level jobs, you can expect two, three or even four rounds of interviews, progressing from a quick chat with an HR rep to extensive talks with the company leaders. On average, job interviews last 40 minutes. This is more than enough time to showcase yourself, your skills and potential as well as get to know the company better and decide for yourself if the job is the right fit for you. So, what are the first small but essential steps you should do to prepare yourself for a successful interview with an HR rep?

When applying for a job opening, job seekers pay the foremost attention to the job description and they are right. But that’s hardly enough. Think about the questions, both technical and behavioral, that your interviewer may ask you. For technical questions, look for keywords in the job description that you can start your search with. Search for questions that are commonly asked in your professional sphere and what type of answers the company HR may be looking for. Remember, that the initial interview is usually done by an HR person or an employee with similar responsibility who is not intimately familiar with the technical details of your future job. They will be looking for specific professional lingo and simple but correct answers that they understand. If you know the person who will be conducting the interview then Google them as well, visit their LinkedIn profile and see for yourself who you are up against.

Secondly, the HR rep will be evaluating your emotional aptitude and analyze if you are a match to the company’s spirit. Try to get to know the people who will be potentially working within your company through social media and do your best to mimic their vibe in the interview process. This will actually help you understand for yourself if you feel comfortable working with these people.

Last but not least, get the general feel for the business, look into the company’s mission statement and values and use the “keywords“ you find there to appeal to the HR rep. This way you are most likely to get into the second round of interviews which are usually technical and where you can shine brightly with your professional knowledge.

Proactive and outgoing people have a much better chance to get employed than couch potatoes. Be prepared to tell the interviewer your professional and personal success stories. Such questions as ‘what can you tell about yourself?’ and ‘what interests do you have outside your job?’ are quite common. You can read some crazy and funny questions in our Entertainment Interview Questions article.

It is vital to structure your answers around the questions however easy or challenging they may look. It is important to align all your answers to the company’s needs and the position you’re applying and back it with mental stability and agility of mind that is often required to answer tricky questions correctly.

Ideally, you should practice or prepare your potential answers with an experienced HR consultant or a person who has a lot of experience interviewing potential hires. Remember, don’t expect to be provided with a list of answers, but with guidance through all the potential pitfalls. Be open to discussions and gain insights into what an HR is looking for.

Also, remember to make your answers brief but clear and informative. When the answer is too short, it will tell the HR rep that you don’t know the subject matter, while an extensive answer won’t help either as the interviewer can miss the key components of your answer. Don’t forget to include professional expressions and the “keywords“ you have found in the job description and on the company’s website. This is what the HR person wants to hear most of all!

Last but not least, come to the interview on time or even 15 minutes early. This way you can calmly find a parking space, receive your guest pass at the front desk and have enough time to find your way through the building. Rush is your enemy as it rattles your mind. Keeping your cool and feeling confident is essential to your job interview success.

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