Preparing for a Job Interview

The secret in preparing for a job interview is research. Do your research on both the job content and the company. Be as prepared as you can be. Ask questions from people who are more experienced; those in the same sector, your teacher or lecturer if you are still at school, etc. get people’s views on the job content and the sector in general.

Where to start When you are called for an interview, start by getting facts about the company. The company’s history and new developments will help you in handling the interview questions appropriately. Most of the information could be readily available in the company’s website and other related websites

Some of the important factors about the company include :

1. the list of products and services the company is selling;
2. the organizational structure of the company;
3. where you see yourself fitting in the broader picture. This is important to even determine if you really want to join the company. Look at the growth prospects etc ;
4. the general financial profile of the company;
5. the future plans of the company, as reflecting in the “strategic plans”;
6. how the company ranks compared to its competitors

Technical part of preparation :

1. get to know the sector in which the company operates;
2. possible government policies and developments in the sector. An example would be if the position is in the bank, then you are expected to know some financial policies and some economic developments.;
3. global issues in the sector when necessary;
4. what is the media saying about the sector;
5. the technicalities of the job description as per job advertisement. I’ll advise you to take another piece of paper and list all the job requirements and tasks you’ll be expected to perfom. Then draw another list of the skills, qualifications and experience that match the requirements. This will help you in giving real examples when you handle interviews questions.

Preparing for a job interview won’t take you less than two days. Make sure you have time to prepare thoroughly. Go to the library and get a book on how to handle interviews, what questions to expect, etc. Surf the net for more advice, get a friend to interview you and see how you manage the questions. If you need some clarity, call the company and get more information and get their annual report and strategic plan when possible.

Prepare a number of questions that you will ask at the end of the interview. You may be given an opportunity to ask your interviewer(s). Never ask about the salary as it gives a reflection its money you are after. Well it may be the truth but its not what the interviewers want to know. Rather ask politely about the job itself e.g. Whom the candidate will report to; growth prospects; provisions for on-the-job training; etc.

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