How You Know When to Get a Intership

How To Set for an Interview

By Hanne Keiling

Dec viii, 2021

Hanne was a senior content manager at Indeed.

**Related video: How To Prepare for An Interview—The Best Pre-Interview Strategy

Preparing for an interview might seem intimidating, but in that location are several steps yous can accept to ready yourself for a successful interview. In this article, we create an interviewing prep checklist with xi items.

Preparing for an interview

Preparing for an interview primarily means taking time to thoughtfully consider your goals and qualifications relative to the position and employer. To reach this, you should perform research on the company and advisedly review the chore description to sympathize why you would be a good fit. Let's wait at the steps to preparing for an interview.

one . Carefully examine the job clarification

During your prep work, you should utilize the employer'southward posted job description as a guide. The job description is a list of the qualifications, qualities and background the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. The more you can align yourself with these details, the more the employer will be able to see that you are qualified. The job description may besides give y'all ideas about questions the employer may enquire throughout the interview.

ii . Consider why you are interviewing and your qualifications

Earlier your interview, you should have a expert understanding of why you want the job and why you're qualified. You should exist prepared to explicate your involvement in the opportunity and why you're the best person for the role.

three . Perform research on the company and role

Researching the company you're applying to is an important function of preparing for an interview. Non simply will it help provide context for your interview conversations, but it will likewise help you when preparing thoughtful questions for your interviewers.

Researching the company and function as much as possible will give y'all an edge over the competition. Not only that, but fully preparing for an interview will help you remain calm and then that you tin exist at your best. Here are a few things you should know earlier you lot walk into your interview:

Research the product or service:
Even if the role isn't directly related to the company'due south product or service, you're all the same looking to exist office of the squad. It's important to learn all y'all tin can about the product or service the company produces and promotes. Yous don't necessarily demand to sympathize each and every particular, specially if information technology's a technical production, and you're interviewing for a non-technical position, but yous should have a basic understanding of the main products or services the company offers.

If possible, asking a sample of the product to familiarize yourself with the customer's perspective. The more you tin tell them about the product from both a company and client standpoint, the better you'll perform in your interview.

Research the role
It's important to read the chore description advisedly and make sure that you understand all the requirements and responsibilities that go along with it. This will not only ready you with thoughtful, targeted questions almost the position during the interview, but it will ensure that you're truly qualified and prepared to tackle the responsibilities if yous get the chore.

If possible, research similar positions and read reviews from individuals in those positions, and so you tin get an idea of what the mean solar day-to-twenty-four hour period activities will be. During the interview, inquire for clarification or details about the role, and so you can be certain you're ready should you receive a job offering. Researching the role earlier an interview volition likewise help yous to make up one's mind whether or not the position is right for you.

Inquiry the visitor culture
Modern companies commonly take social media accounts and blogs that discuss their company culture and industry. This information can give yous an impression of the tone and personality of the company, too every bit what they value. No matter how good a task seems, it'south important that yous fit within the company culture and share a like personality and values.

If y'all have questions almost the workplace surroundings, culture, personality or values, be certain to enquire during the interview. These questions can range from the software and tools used by the company, to their policies on vacation and sick time. Recall that the interview is just as much most y'all finding a proficient fit for your own piece of work environs as information technology is virtually the company finding a good fit for the role. Knowing that your values align with the company ensures a happy professional life. This is likewise the perfect opportunity to find out more almost the company and show the interviewer how yous'll fit.

iv . Consider your answers to common interview questions

While y'all won't be able to predict every question y'all'll be asked in an interview, in that location are a few common questions you lot can plan answers for. You might also consider developing an lift pitch that quickly describes who you are, what y'all do and what you want.

There are some jobs that may involve a test or evaluation during the interview process. For example, if yous are interviewing for a computer programming, development or analytics role, you might likewise be asked to write or evaluate lines of code. It might be helpful to consult with colleagues in the manufacture for examples of tests they've been given to prepare.

You should too prepare to hash out your salary expectations, just in case. If y'all're unsure nearly what bacon is appropriate to ask for the position you lot're applying to, visit Indeed's Bacon Calculator to get a costless, personalized pay range based on your location, industry and experience.

Here are a few examples of common interview questions:

Why practise y'all want to work here?
The best manner to fix for this question is to learn about the products, services, mission, history and culture of the company. In your answer, mention the aspects of the visitor that appeal to y'all and align with your career goals.

Example: "I'd love the opportunity to piece of work with a visitor that'south making a deviation. Finding a company with a positive piece of work surround and values that align with my own has remained a priority throughout my job search, and this visitor ranks at the top of the listing."

What interests you about this role?
Employers ask this question to make sure you empathise the part, and to give you the opportunity to highlight your relevant skills. Information technology tin be helpful to compare the part requirements against your skills and experience. Choose a few things y'all specially enjoy or excel at, and focus on those in your respond.

Example: "I've been passionate about user experience design for most of my professional career. I was excited to see this visitor uses Adobe products considering I'm well-versed in the entire suite. Also, I'1000 a huge abet for applying agile workflows to design. I think it'southward the nigh constructive way to tackle large projects. I was able to successfully build and launch an agile procedure in my previous role equally UX manager, and we saw considerable improvements in project speed."

What are your greatest strengths?
This question gives you an opportunity to talk about both your technical and soft skills. When an interviewer asks you lot to depict your strengths, share qualities and personal attributes and then chronicle them back to the function for which you're interviewing.

Example: "I'm a natural problem-solver. I find it rewarding to dig deep and uncover solutions to challenges—information technology's similar solving a puzzle. Information technology's something I've always excelled at, and something I savor. Much of product development is most finding innovative solutions to challenging issues, which is what drew me to this career path in the first place."

Read more: Interview Question: What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

In improver to these, you should also accept steps to ready answers to behavioral interview questions.

Interview Tips

Prototype description

Interview tips:

Inquiry the company and your interviewers
Practice your answers to common interview questions
Study the chore clarification
Answer questions using the STAR method
Recruit a friend to practice answering questions
Be prepared with examples of your work
Program your interview attire the night before
Fix smart questions for your interviews
Bring copies of your resume, a notebook and pen
Tie your answers back to your skills and accomplishments

5 . Practise your speaking vocalization and trunk language

Information technology's important to make a positive and lasting impression during the interview procedure. You can practise this past practicing a confident, potent speaking vox and friendly, open body language. While these might come naturally to you, you might besides want to spend time performing them with trusted friends or family or in front of a mirror. Pay special attention to your smile, handshake and pace.

To learn more than about interview body language, consider the following resources:

half-dozen . Set up several thoughtful questions for the interviewer(s)

Many employers feel confident most candidates who ask thoughtful questions about the company and the position. You should take time before the interview to set several questions for your interviewer(s) that evidence you've researched the company and are well-versed nigh the position. Some examples of questions you lot could enquire include:

What does a typical day look like for a person in this position?
Why practice y'all enjoy working here?
What qualities do your well-nigh successful employees have?
I've really enjoyed learning more almost this opportunity. What are the next steps in the hiring procedure?

Related: Interview Question: "Exercise Y'all Have Any Questions?"

7 . Conduct mock interviews

Just like public speaking, practicing interviews is the best way to relieve anxiety and ameliorate your confidence. Practice may feel tedious, but repeatedly experiencing the interview procedure will make you more comfortable and help you requite the right impression.

If you have friends or family to help, conduct mock interviews every bit much as you lot tin can. If you don't have another person, exercise your questions and answers out loud. Yous may observe that an answer sounds awkward or doesn't convey what you wish when it'southward spoken, so this gives you an opportunity to refine your answers and commit them to memory. The more y'all repeat your interview, the more than confident you'll exist during the existent thing.

8 . Print hard copies of your resume

Most employers enquire for digital copies of your resume with the application, simply they may not take easy access to it during the interview itself. Having copies to present to multiple interviewers shows that y'all're prepared and organized. You should have at to the lowest degree three copies to provide for multiple interviewers, plus one for yourself to follow forth.

During your preparation, read over your resume and rehearse explanations for any gaps that may appear or other oddities. For instance, you may have taken fourth dimension off work to care for a child or family fellow member, switched careers or had other legitimate reasons for employment gaps. These tin can be a business concern for employers, so information technology'due south all-time to prepare your explanation to prove them that you're not a risk.

You may also encounter questions nigh your resume that are awkward. It'southward important to be honest but diplomatic in addressing them. For case, yous may have left a job because of your supervisor or manager, or policies that you lot didn't hold with, but you don't want to speak negatively nigh a former employer. Consider these possible questions and fix your answers in accelerate, so you don't accidentally say something you lot'll regret.

Like the rest of the interview, it's best to prepare for these questions by writing notes and rehearsing your answers out loud multiple times prior to the interview.

nine . Prepare your travel arrangements

Job interviews tend to be stressful for most people for many reasons, but getting to the interview can be a claiming in itself. If your interview is an unfamiliar area or even an entirely new urban center, information technology tin be a source of anxiety to find your fashion around and make sure that yous show up on time.

To avert becoming too anxious for your commute, set up yourself to ensure everything goes smoothly on the twenty-four hours of the meeting. Hither's how:

Exit early on: This may seem obvious, but it's better to leave with plenty of fourth dimension to become to your interview, even if information technology means arriving style too early. Even if you lot leave yourself a few extra minutes to get at that place, modest obstacles tin can be enough to make you late, such as heavy traffic, accidents, no parking or trouble finding the building. If you lot arrive too early, only use the time to go over your notes and mentally ready for your interview.
Save the interview contact information: Even with plenty of time for your commute, sometimes situations out of your command can still cause y'all to be late. If something happens and you lot know y'all'll be a little tardily, telephone call your interview coordinator and brand them aware of the situation. Most people are empathetic to these situations and understand that some things but can't be helped, peculiarly if you're letting them know in advance and have a reasonable explanation. In this state of affairs, the worst matter yous could do is prove upwardly late without any observe and try to explain yourself.
Search the location in advance: Most interviews are scheduled days or weeks in advance, so you accept time to research the location. If your interview is close enough, you lot can take a day to go to the location and check out the parking, take note of the traffic and find the suite or role where your interview will be. If you're anxious nearly parking or any other attribute of the location, contact your interviewer to ask them for more information.

10 . Sell yourself

Ane of the biggest challenges in an interview is selling yourself. Well-nigh people are uncomfortable with this idea, but presenting yourself accurately and positively doesn't accept to feel similar a sale. The truth is that you do have professional skills and experiences that may set you apart from other applicants, so it's acceptable and expected for you to admit them to your potential employer.

When yous prepare for a job interview, make notation of your skills that relate to the role and think of how your experiences and abilities tin contribute to the overall goals of the section and company. Your answers will be somewhat curt, so y'all want to choose the most positive and relevant information to share during the interview.

If you take metrics or stats to show your accomplishments or growth during your previous roles, they're a great assistance in selling yourself during the interview. For example, you may have increased sales by a sure per centum or increased social media appointment in your terminal position.

Whatever accomplishments you have, don't be small about sharing them during your interview. Your potential employer wants to know that yous'll be the right fit and that yous can deliver something to the company, and then they need to know all the reasons that you tin can provide that for them.

11 . Get gear up to follow upwards later the interview

Subsequently your interview, you should prepare to follow up with the employer. Doing and then reminds the employer of your chat, shows them you are genuinely interested in the position and gives you the opportunity to bring up points you forgot to mention.

Here are a few steps you can follow when crafting a follow-up note:

In the first paragraph, mention the specific chore title and thank your interviewer.
In the second paragraph, annotation the company's name equally well as a conversation bespeak and/or goal that seemed especially important to the person you spoke with. Connect that signal to your experience and interests.
In the concluding paragraph, invite them to enquire you whatever boosted questions and close by proverb you're looking forward to hearing dorsum.

Read more: Follow-Up Email Examples For After the Interview

Final tip: If you don't know the reply to a certain question, it is perfectly adequate to pause for a moment and but land, "Permit me call up about that for a moment." The employer will appreciate you taking the time to give them a thoughtful answer. Be sure to provide specific examples wherever possible. Taking time to prepare for an interview volition ultimately aid y'all feel more relaxed and confident during the process.

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Source: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview