Interview Preparation

Preparation is key when going for an interview with a prospective employer. Their job is to ensure you are going to be not only a skill fit, but a cultural fit for the company. Your job on the other hand is to ensure that interviewer has confidence that you are not only that skills fit, but a cultural fit for them as well. This all depends on how well you prepare for the interview.

Every interview you prepare for should be tailored to that company. You should be able to clearly and succinctly be able to answer the most common interview questions while also avoiding leaving a poor first impression with very common interview mistakes. You only have 1 chance at a first impression. You want to eliminate most of the nervousness and stress before and during the interview by practicing those difficult answers and ensuring you know not only your cv, but how to spot the difference between behavioural and situational questions and answer them accordingly. Most of all remember preparation, anticipation and confidence are the key skills to ensure a successful interview.

Make sure you can describe your contributions in present and previous jobs

• What relevant successes have you had in your present job?
• What is the most valuable experience you have?
• What do most like about your current job?
• Discuss any achievements or contributions in your career to date?
• What are the main components of your job e.g.

Day to day duties, customer support, product development, verifying information, etc.

• Why are you changing jobs?
• Why do you want to leave your present company?
• What could your current company do to keep you with them?

About You

• Why should a company hire you?
• What are your own goals over the next 2 - 3 years?
• What are your strengths and your weaknesses?
• If I were to ask your manager to describe your work, what might they say?
• Where do you excel in comparison to others in your group?
• Do you prefer to work as an individual or in a team?

Your Future Job

Make sure you understand the job you are being interviewed for:

• Verify the duties and responsibilities.
• Reporting relationships.
• Size of company or department.
• Specific skills required for this vacancy.
• Products manufactured or services provided, the number of people employed etc.

Let me know if I can help in any way. Feel free to e-mail or call me 021 436 8330.