You got the call! Your application has been selected and you’ve made it to the interview stage. After you’ve done your happy dance and added the date to your calendar, what should you do next? Taking time to prepare for the interview is one of the most important things you can do. Preparation will increase your confidence when you walk in that room or log onto that Zoom call. It will show the interviewer that you took your time to strategize and highlight yourself as the ideal candidate by showcasing your strengths. Interviewing is a skill. Like any other skill, practice will make progress. You will get more comfortable the more you put yourself out there and do it. These tips will help you start off on the right foot.
Research the company
You want to show the interviewer that you know your stuff when you walk through that door. Taking time to research the company is the first step in your preparation plan. Start on the company’s website. Make sure you have a grasp on who they are, what they do, company values, and company history. You can also check the “news” tab on Google to see if the company has made headlines or posted any press releases. Broaden your search to brush up on industry news, standards, and updates- especially if you are looking to pivot into a new industry. Taking this extra time will show the company that you are invested and thorough. Trust us, no one wants to be the person who walked into an interview and asks “So what do you guys do here?” Be prepared to answer the question “What do you know about our company?”
Prepare for the interview
One of the most important components of interview preparation is practicing interview questions and answers. Start brainstorming situations, experiences, projects, and skills you can use as talking points. Look at the job description to help guide your thought process. The key to this is practicing these answers out loud. Doing so will make it much more natural when the actual interview time arrives.
Upward Prize is here to support you through the interview process. We can set up mock interview sessions so you can get real-life practice before your big interview. You will get an opportunity to rehearse the interview scenario and go over the feedback with our coach. How’s that for squashing any interview anxiety or uncertainty!
We can also help you prepare questions to ask the interviewer. Arriving with smart questions helps set you apart from the competition by showing you are prepared and thinking ahead.
Seek encouragement from your circle (or do it yourself)
Have you heard the saying “It can be hard to see the forest through the trees?” The same sentiment applies to preparing for an interview, especially when it comes to encouragement. It can be tempting to get in your own head and think of all the ways it could go wrong or how you aren’t cut out for this job. But slam the breaks on that kind of thinking!
Reach out to your inner circle of people you trust and ask for feedback and encouragement. Hearing your strong qualities from others will give you perspective so you can lean into your strengths and confidence! Not quite sure how to start the conversation? You can say something like: “I’m preparing for a job interview this week. Can you help me name some of my strengths? It will help me get a better idea of talking points and encourage me.”
Don’t have anyone you feel comfortable talking to? That’s alright, you can practice being your own hype person. Take a sheet of paper and write down your strengths and qualities you like about yourself. No need to be modest either! No one will see this. Think about the strengths you’ve demonstrated at work, at home, with friends, and when you’re alone. Once you have your strengths down, stand in front of a mirror in a power stance (think Superman or Wonder Woman). Now say your strengths to your reflection. It might sound like “I am a good listener, I am great at meeting deadlines, and I am kind to others.” Say it and say it again. Say it with your chest this time! Feel silly? Good! That means you’re doing it right.
The final countdown
You’re almost there! The last thing to do is to prepare for the big day. Try to minimize outside stressors as much as possible. First, prepare your outfit for the interview. Make sure your outfit is clean, wrinkle-free, and looks the part for the position and company. You want to look sharp, but you also want to be comfortable. Not the best day to try a new pair of shoes that will leave you limping or a new hairstyle that you will be fidgeting with. A classic, clean, and professional look is generally a safe bet.
Second, go to bed early to get a good night’s rest. The last thing you want is to try to hide a series of yawns in an interview from lack of sleep! Late-night jitters keeping you awake? Try some guided meditation, journaling your feelings, or sipping a nice warm beverage (alcohol-free). Remind yourself that you are capable, confident, and prepared.
Third, be sure to hydrate and eat well on the day of your interview. You want to be alert and feeling your best. Finally, pack extra copies of your resume and portfolio. Plan to arrive at the interview 10-15 minutes early to get a feel for your surroundings. Then, take a deep breath, remember your preparation, and go give it your best!
These strategies are only the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty of other preparation strategies that you can use to make a great impression. Give us a call and set up a session with our coach to get the tools you need to ace your next interview.
About the author:
Lauren works as an Education and Employment Coach for a Department of Labor grant at North Central Texas College. She combines her background in marketing and leadership with a passion for helping others.
Lauren lives in North Texas and can be found writing, roller skating, or playing bass. Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/laurenwjerome.
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