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Preparing for an Interview – The Day Before the Big Day !

When appearing for an interview, most people hardly ever plan out for the interview before the big day. This is a tragic mistake for we all know preparedness is the key. When you go prepared for your job interview, it speaks volumes about your professionalism and your enthusiasm for the job. Here are a few pointers that you can use to groom yourself before that big day of the interview.

Practice makes for perfection

Plain and simple, you cannot be good at something if you don’t practice—and this goes for interviewing as well. It is helpful to review potential interview questions a day before by yourself or with friends and family members so that you are confident during the interviews. In addition, the more prepared you are, the better equipped you’ll be for interview success.

Do your research 

Before you go on any job interview, it is extremely important to find out as much as you can about the company, the position, and the person/people who will be interviewing you (if possible). In other words, put in the time to research. Google the company and read up as much as you can about it. Understanding the company’s mission and history can not only help you in determining the sorts of questions to ask, but can also help you decide whether it’s the right place for you.

The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to give an intelligent answer. You can also strike up a conversation with the interviewer and calmly describe how you fit in with the principles and agenda of the entire company and how you can help the company grow if you’re given the job. To start preparing questions to support your application, try and take out the job description, details about the interviewer or any other material you have and see if you can find something in those to ask cracking, awesome questions.

If not, think like an interviewer. What would you love to be asked about the job or role if you were interviewing?

Go back to the job description and ask yourself, what problems are they trying to solve with this position?

Dress to impress

Clothes count. Appropriate attire is not only respectful, but refreshing. So what’s the appropriate dress code for an interview? Dress code may vary depending on the formality of the workplace or the job. If you’re not sure what to wear, it’s perfectly acceptable to check with the person scheduling the interview. You want the first impression you make on your potential employer to last. So, deciding on an appropriate attire is important, so don’t forget to spend some time planning your outfit accordingly. Avoid non traditional clothing, heavy jewelry, strong perfumes and loud colours.

Ammunition

Bring in the heavy guns! You’ve practiced your interview answers, done your research, and prepared a series of questions, what’s next? Now is your time to shine. Make a list of your skills, certifications, abilities, experiences, and professional or personal qualities that are critical to the position, and review your list, and the job requirements, prior to the interview so that you are fully prepared to share with the employer your qualifications.

Everyone loves a good show-and-tell. If you have concrete examples that demonstrate what you can do for the role, like a personal website you designed, or a business project you created in college, definitely share it! You can try and tailor examples of your qualifications to the company and the position you’re applying for, like preparing a simple audit of the company site and preparing a list of recommendations the company can use for improvements. The more specific these examples are to the position, the more the hiring manager will see that you have the skills needed to do the job.

Know your way

Such a simple concept, yet many of us still manage to get lost on our way to our interviews, which is totally understandable. You might get delayed or even lost looking for the office and the clock ticking down on your scheduled interview time,  Not the best situation to be in, but an avoidable one at least, if you know your way. That is why it is recommended reading over the google map directions and writing down the number of the front desk (or anyone within the company willing to help if you are lost) before you head out of thedoor. Being late even before you join the workforce isn’t a good sign. Also, do carry a bottle of water, its life saving potential is under rated!

Lastly…

Smiles are contagious. Go into your interview with an enthusiastic and positive attitude, and sure enough your interviewer will feel the positive vibes. Your resume gets you through the door, and the ability to communicate your skillsets and personality gets you hired. So don’t forget to be your inherent awesome self!

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