So you have an upcoming job interview? Congratulations! That shows that your professional resume and cover letter impressed the recruiter and they are interested in meeting you in person.
Being a little nervous is completely natural but as long as you prepare yourself ahead of time you will be ready to demonstrate the skills and talents you have.
In order to make the entire interview process easier, we prepared two simple checklists for you to follow. The first checklist will help you get prepared for your interview, and then the second one will show you what you need to do after your interview is over.
Things to do before your interview
Do research on the organization you are interviewing with
Learn some important facts about this organization – especially the current work they do as well as their history. A great place to find information is their website.
Prepare answers to some question you may be asked in your interview
There are many websites that provide common interview question examples.
Prepare examples from your past work history
You want to be able to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience that they are searching for. Make sure that you exclude details of your referees. These can be provided if you are made an offer.
Prepare your own questions
Ask your interviewer questions about what it is like to work for the organization and details about the job.
Practice your interview
Find someone you trust like a family member or friend to do a mock interview with.
Find out where your interview will be taking place
Know where the interview will be and figure out how long it will take you to arrive. Being late for an interview is a big no-no.
Prepare your clothes in advance
Make sure to choose your outfit ahead of time and have it ready the night before. This will help you the next day as you will be faster and you will also have removed the element of choice from your morning. This will allow you to focus more on the task at hand.
Things to do after your interview is over
Send a thank-you note.
Send a follow-up email and thank the interviewer for spending time with you the day following your interview.
Think about how your interview went
Take the time to figure out what things went well and the things you need to improve on. You should also consider whether or not the organization is somewhere you would like to work. It will also allow you to pinpoint problems or issues for your future interviews and in doing so make you a stronger candidate.
Continue your job search
It may take some time before hearing back so make sure to continue looking for a job.
Don’t give up
If you are not offered the job, keep trying. Ask if they can provide you with any feedback and then keep looking. The right job is out there for you.
