Job Interview Preparation Advice -
What Do Interviewers Expect?

What to do in advance of your dream job interview

As the employment market gets ever more fiercely competitive, it's more imperative than ever to make the best possible impression at interview to secure your dream job.

It goes without saying that to make a memorable impression at interview (for the right reasons!) it is essential that you're punctual (arriving 10 minutes early is the usual guide), demonstrate honesty, have a firm handshake and make good eye contact throughout, but let's skip the obvious advice and get straight to what the job interviewer expects from a candidate.

Good preparation in advance of your interview is essential to success. It is all too easy to print the website off and have a quick read in your car just minutes before you head into the interview, but you'll be heading into the Lion's Den! Be smart and take the time in advance to thoroughly prepare and ensure you combat the most challenging of interview questions.

Research your future employer

 

• Read the company website and any literature; get an overview of company history (including key dates), the products and services they provide, most recent revenues and profits, their competitors and if possible their unique selling points and proposition to the market.
• Research recent company news online using Google and business news websites; gain an understanding for the organisation's industry and any opportunities and threats within it.
• It always helps to research your interviewer(s) and key personnel through your own contacts and using online tools like LinkedIn and Plaxo to study professional profiles.

 

Watch out for different interview techniques!

 

• If possible gain an understanding of the recruitment process and any interview techniques they are likely to use. Bear in mind that many organisations large and small use competency-based interview techniques and numerous useful guides are readily available online to ensure you articulate yourself using appropriate content in a concise and structured manner.
• If you're being introduced through a recruitment / job agency or headhunter then they should provide you with all key information and remember it's in their interests that you perform highly (even if you're going into the interview as the underdog).

 

How to prepare for challenging interview questions?

Often a first question is along the lines of...

"Thanks for coming here today, so... what do you know about our organisation?"

Let's face it, if you conduct your research (detailed above) and deliver a company overview with passion, clarity and structure then you'll have made a very effective first impression... the rest of the interview will seem a stroll in the park!

We don't know the exact questions you're going to be asked, but consider doing the following and you'll be shaking hands with your new employer in no time!

 

• Read the submitted version of your career resume / curriculum vitae and make a mental note of key achievements (focussing on figures) and dates of employment history.
• Thoroughly digest and understand the job description; make notes on your related work experience and proven skills.
• Think about how you can contribute to the organisation based on their present management structure, their present operating situation and the context of the job description; relate this to your previous achievements, skills and potential.
• Preparing for likely questions is not an arduous task; this is time well spent! but focus on the most challenging, and the normal ones such as; "tell me about yourself" and "what are your strengths and weaknesses".
• Prepare positive explanations to any work history gaps or any potentially negative elements in your resume / CV, for example if for instance you have left an organisation after a short period of time.

 

Preparing for some thoughtful questions that are important to you, but also demonstrate a high level of interest in the organisation and your long-term career view is always beneficial.

Don't forget to bring to the interview a spare copy of your resume / CV (in case you need to refer to a career point during the interview, but this should be a last resort), the job description and a notepad to write key points.

Be smart with your preparation time leading up to the job interview and take confidence into the meeting knowing you are fully prepared. Remember, a prepared and confident candidate usually gets offered the job! Good Luck!

Dan Sculthorp is a Director of the recruitment organisation Opex Selection http://www.opexselection.com/ specialists in recruiting Improvement Champions; Lean, Six Sigma and Business Process Improvement professionals (permanent and interim) across the UK and worldwide. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Sculthorp