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In a job interview, your main task is to persuade a hiring manager you have the abilities, passion and experience for the job, in addition to being a good fit for the organization’s culture.

That’s a lot of things to take care of, and the best way to tick as many boxes as possible is to thoroughly prepare. Here are a few tips on getting your interview prep right.

Assess the job and your fit for it

A critical part of interview preparation is to analyze the job based on the job posting. As you read the description, think about what the business is looking for in an applicant. Create a list of the technical abilities, experience and soft skills that are essential for success in the job.

Once you have sense of the job and what it takes to succeed, develop a list of around 10 personal assets you have that match the job description. These could include abilities, experiences and certifications. Then, come up with examples that show off your attributes. By doing this, you will be able to describe a time when you demonstrated a given skill or ability, if your interviewer asks you.

Look into the company

Researching the organization will allow you to answer questions and stand out from less-prepared applicants. To locate background details on a company, use tools like Vault and review trade publications. Check out the company’s website to identify all the products and services they offer. Read the organization’s background and mission statement and recent press releases. Evaluate their products, services and customer base.

Conduct mock interviews

Practice will give you the opportunity to practice answers and responding to curveballs. It will also help you relax, since you won’t be struggling for an answer once you are in the hot seat.

Choose a friend or family member you trust to not only give you honest feedback, but also press you during the interview. Having someone throw softball questions at you will only give you a false sense of confidence going into the interview.

Attempt to do the mock interview in the same format as the real interview. For instance, if you are preparing for a phone interview, have your mock interviewer ask questions over the phone. If it is a Skype interview, do the mock interview over Skype.

Pick out your clothes

Don’t hold off until the last minute to pick out your interview clothes. Having a go-to interview outfit is a good way to avoid having to think about your clothes when you’re mentally preparing for job interview. If you’re seeking a job in a more casual environment, like a store or warehouse, it’s still essential to be neat, clean and well groomed, and to provide a positive image to the company.

Know the route

If you’re going to an in-person interview, figure out a few ways to get there ahead of time, just in case you have car trouble, there’s a major accident on the route or there’s construction. If possible, take a trip down to the interview location beforehand to see how long it takes to get there.

At Action Group Staffing, we help job seekers with everything from resume writing to interview follow-up. If you would like to know more about how we can help your career, please contact us today.


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