Interview Preparation
Interview Preparation
Preparation for a job interview begins with a careful review of the job posting or description. This will help you develop a clear idea of how you meet the skills and attributes the company seeks.
When you receive the call or email to schedule an interview, take the opportunity to learn as much as you can about the interview process. Ask the recruiter about the format of the interview. Many companies now require different interview formats. Knowing in advance whether you will be part of an individual interview or a panel interview, for instance, will prevent you from being caught off guard and will help alleviate the nervousness and stress you may feel when you start the interview.
Also, ask the recruiter who will conduct the interview and whether the recruiter knows them well. Sometimes, the recruiter will offer a bit of information that can help you get a sense of the interviewer’s personality. Search the interviewer on sites like LinkedIn to learn about their work history, education, and volunteer work. Finding common ground will help you feel more comfortable in the interview and will help the interviewer feel more comfortable, too.
Research the Company or Organization
It is also important to spend considerable time on the company website. Begin by checking out links in the “About” section. Your research should address the following questions:
How long has the company been in existence?
What, if anything, has changed since the pandemic?
What are their goals and plans?
What is the organizational structure?
You will also want to Google the company to review press releases and any additional information that might help you learn what it is like to work there. During your research, ask yourself:
What makes you a good fit for the organization?
How specific skills and talents can you bring to the organization?
What might they need to know about you personally?
Remember, it’s important to review the company’s vision and mission statement and consider how your skills can help improve what they are already doing. For additional interview preparation insight, view this video by career coach Robin Ryan, who offers pointers geared specifically to college graduates.
Now that you’ve learned the importance of interview preparation and conducted your research, let’s examine your appearance and the role nonverbal communication plays in the interview process.
Knowing how to dress for professionalism and comfort is a fundamental step in interview preparation. CareerBuilder (2021) recommends doing your homework ahead of time. There are different guidelines for professional attire, so it is important to consider the standard for the role you want. Search the company’s website for images of employees to see how they typically dress. What is the company culture like? If you are local, consider driving by at the end of a work day as employees are leaving and make note of their attire. This will help you know how to best dress for the interview. Be aware though that employees likely dress more casual than you should for an interview. You want to dress one step above what you see the employees wearing.
Even if you are interviewing virtually from the comfort of your own home, it is still important to stick to the office dress code (CareerBuilder, 2021).
Researching the attire before the interview will help you feel both comfortable and confident. If you look great, you will feel great and will answer the questions in a more self-assured manner.
The video below from UC Davis Internship and Career Center describes How to Dress For Success for Interviews and the Workplace, and shows various styles based on the industry and type of position you are interviewing.
Just as you would practice answering questions for an interview, try on various outfits and ask friends and family members what would look best for an interview. Be aware of scented lotions and perfumes or cologne, as this can be a turnoff to some interviewers, or they may be allergic and have difficulty conducting the interview. It is best to refrain from wearing large jewelry, hats, or hair accessories. Anything that can distract an interviewer in person or virtually should be avoided. The person conducting the interview should be able to pay attention to your answers and what you say, not what you’re wearing or not wearing.