How do I Prepare for an Interview?

Practicing responses to anticipated questions is one way to prepare for an interview. Rehearsing with a friend and reciting the answers to potential questions aloud will enable interviewees to practice and prepare for the actual interview. Feeling comfortable and at ease is the ultimate goal for an interview.

Researching the company or person who will conduct the interview allows an interviewee to interject with pointed and insightful feedback when the opportunity allows. While conducting research to prepare for an interview, candidates should not overlook the importance of having knowledge pertaining to the desired position and the hiring company. When deciding on what information is best gathered in preparation for the interview, common components to memorize should include the basics of who, what, when, where and why. This will ensure that all bases are covered for any follow-up questions that might arise during the interview process.

While it is often a great temptation to purchase a completely new wardrobe to prepare for an interview, candidates should not underestimate the importance of feeling comfortable. New clothing can be itchy and uncomfortable, and an adverse reaction to a tight-fitting neck line or uneasy feeling in a new pair of trousers could be misinterpreted as a negative response to a question asked by the interviewer. If it is necessary to purchase a new wardrobe for the interview, candidates should wear the new clothes beforehand to ensure they are suitable for the occasion.

If using a friend or helper to prepare for an interview, candidates should be sure the person is able to be objective. There is no use in practicing with a partner who will not be honest about an area the interviewee needs to work on. The helper should be critical and point out any part of the interview that the candidate struggled through or was lacking in. It may also be helpful to video record the mock interview for a self-critique.

One area that is often overlooked when people prepare for an interview is attitude. It is never good to sound cocky or arrogant; however, it is important to sound confident. This is perhaps the single biggest reason to prepare for an interview. A prepared and confident interviewee is much more likely to impress the interviewer than someone lacking confidence and struggling to answer basic interview questions.