How to Prepare for a Job Interview: Level 3
/Final preparations for a job interview
Things You Should Focus On During The Interview
The following might seem like a lot to think about during the interview but half of it is common sense and half of it is what your folks have been saying to you all your life… and now you can thank them for it. Don’t worry, you will be fine.
Greet everyone. If you are entering a room do your best to make eye contact with everyone when you say hello.
Sit up straight. Don’t slouch.
Keep your elbows off the table.
Make eye contact but don’t stare at anyone.
Stay Present. Don’t drift when they are asking you a question. Listen to what they are asking – make sure you understand the question.
If you don’t fully understand the question, ask for clarification.
Wait a second before answering just to make sure they have finished speaking.
If you want a few seconds to formulate your response that is OK. Even ask for it.
Focus on answering the question they asked. Don’t answer a totally different question.
Don’t ramble.
Don’t make things up – people will be able to tell. It is a rare thing that someone will have all of the things they ask for. It takes confidence to say, “I don’t know”.They should respect that.
Speak slowly and clearly, enunciate your words.Do your best to speak at a relaxed pace. When people are nervous it’s easy to speak too quickly. Remember to breath.
In most cases, using one word, Yes or No answers is not good.
If you can, answer with stories. Talk to them about your experiences… times when you _____. Telling stories makes your experience more real, more understandable to them and more memorable to them. For example: If they ask about your experience with Excel, instead of telling them you know it well, tell them a story of how you used it to accurately predict inventory needs.
If you see an opportunity, incorporate what you know about the company into the discussion, but don’t force it.
Avoid looking at distractions – like outside windows or people walking in a hall.
At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for taking the time to interview you.
Other Things to Focus On
It would be nice if the list above was all you needed to think about during your interview. And while they are things you need to do or not do, here are a few additional things going on during the interview you will want to control or know about so they don’t throw you off your game.
Turn your phone off. Don’t turn it down or put it on vibrate, turn it off. If you are expecting your partner to give birth – then tell the panel that is why you have to keep it.
Expect people to make notes as you answer your questions. They may not always be able to make eye contact with you, so move your gaze to someone who you can look at… if that makes you more comfortable.
They may even throw in an uncomfortable question or challenge to see how you manage it. Do you stay calm? Do you look for solutions… or blame?
If shaking hands is OK to do, use a firm handshake. If you need to practice do so.
No cursing.
Address everyone by “Mr.” or “Ms.” unless they tell you otherwise.
Always wait for others to finish speaking. Even pause just to make sure. You do not want to ever talk over your interviewer.
Prepare a reference list in advance. You don’t want to waste time scrambling to get references if you are asked. Check with friends and people you have worked with and/or volunteered with. Ask them in advance to be a reference. If they say OK, add them to your list. For each reference, include a name, title, organization, division or department, telephone number, email address and your relationship / past experience with them.
Practice For The Interview
Why not schedule a mock interview to practice?
There are some questions you can predict… and even if they don’t ask them specifically knowing the information will enable you to insert these positive responses into the questions they do ask.
Sample Interview Questions
You can’t know every question they are going to ask you, but you can guess at some of them. You have to expect some of them to be related to the job description, so you can likely go through that and imagine what you might ask someone. Then, prepare what your answer would be.
Here are ten questions I highly recommend you prepare. Even if they don’t ask them directly, they identify great information about why you would be a great fit and perhaps you can work some of this information into the answers you provide. Take some time before the interview to practice your answers – out loud.
Why do you want this job?
Why are you interested in working for our company?
Tell us about a time you felt most proud of something.
What do you think it takes to be successful in this position?
Tell us about a time you had to say no to someone. How did you handle it?
Describe a difficult situation when you felt stress and/or pressure. How did you handle it?
Would you say you prefer to work alone or with a team?
Why?
What are your greatest strengths?
What are your greatest weaknesses?
What are your future goals?
Create A Reference Guide
A reference guide puts all your important information for an interview in one place. This is great for many reasons and frankly, parts of it can be re-used for different jobs and/or companies you are applying to. And while you don’t want to read from it during the interview (except for perhaps when you read any questions you may have about the company or job), just the presence of it will show your interviewers that you are thoughtful and organized.
So, here are some suggestions for your reference guide:
Use a binder or portfolio that you will feel comfortable bringing with you in a professional setting.
Include what questions do you think they may ask?
Write out your questions and the ten sample interview questions mentioned above. Then, write out your answers.
Have a printed copy of each question and your answers. As I suggested above, bring your reference guide to the interview. You don’t want to read from it, but it will be comforting to have on hand in case you go blank.
Use an interview reference guide to store all of the information we’ve suggested in this article including what are your values, vision and mission.
In this reference guide, have and samples of work you have done, be it photos of projects you have worked on or samples or writing or reports you have drafted.
Double Check Where The Interview Is
I once had a training event and the client only told me the address of the building where the training would be. But the parking lot for the company was two blocks away… which they didn’t tell me. It took me 30 minutes to discover where the parking lot was, get there, purchase a ticket and walk back to the building. Thankfully I schedule a big buffer when I am meeting a new client. So, a few days before the interview call your contact and confirm:
Address including what floor and room.
If you are going to drive, where are you going to park? Will you have to pay for parking? If you do you have to allow for a payment type and allow time to go to the parking meter.
I really recommend contacting someone who knows about the interview. Don’t just call the main reception desk because they may knowingly give you the wrong address / information.
Late Arrival Blunder
Recently a leader I was coaching told me about a candidate they were interviewing for a summer position. She arrived 20 minutes late with no phone call to let them know she would be late. As she sat down, she said she was late because her father drove her to the interview, and he didn’t set enough time for them to get there on time. Would you have considered her for the job?
Thank you for reading about how to prepare for a job interview, level 3. I will enjoy your comments / suggestions of this article.
Bruce
Read How to Prepare for a Job Interview Level 1
Read How to Prepare for a Job Interview Level 2
About Bruce and Bruce Mayhew Consulting.
Bruce is Corporate Trainer, Keynote Speaker and Executive Coach.
Bruce Mayhew Consulting specializes in customized Email Etiquette Training, Leadership & New Leadership Development, Generational Differences, Time Management Training and other soft skills training solutions in Toronto and across Canada. Bruce is also an Executive Coach to a few select clients.
Bruce is an experienced motivational speaker in Toronto and has inspired audiences across Canada and within the USA and the UK. Bruce works hard to always make sure your training event, conference, retreat, or annual general meeting is a success.
