So you’ve recently just graduated and now you’re looking for work. You have fixed your resume and submitted it to you dream company. A few days later, what do you know, somebody calls you! No, I’m not talking about a creepy stalker. I’m talking about the company you applied for inviting you for an interview! Hurrah! You have just earned the attention of the company. But don’t celebrate just yet, because this is just the beginning.
Before going into an interview, you may want to prepare yourself. So here are some of the things you should do before the interview:
1. Know the position you are applying for
Of all the things you need to prepare for, this is the most important. You might think that you can handle any job given to you but remember, if you do not know what you’re supposed to do, you’ll never do your job well. If you heard about the vacancy through job fairs, ask the recruiters to tell you more about the position. Or if you saw it online, usually a job description is provided. Read up and think of ways how you are fit for the job. Knowing beforehand how you can contribute is usually a plus for the interviewer. Also, research on the salary range of the position in the market. It will help you answer confidently when the interview comes.
2. Research about the company
You do not necessarily need to know the company history, just an overview of the company would do: who they are and what are their products and/or services. You wouldn’t want to screw up your chances just because you thought that Pepsodent is Pepsi’s new soda drink. (got you thinking, didn’t it?)
3. Get there on time
The easiest way to ruin your chances of getting your dream job is when you are late for the interview. Always plan ahead. Know where you are going and how you are going to get there on time. If you’re not familiar with the place, you can ask the one who called you for directions on how to get there. Or you can make use of technology and search the web for the location of your scheduled interview. Googlemaps is my bestfriend when it comes to these situations.
4. Practice selling yourself
You can ask your friends and/or family to simulate a mock interview for you. Anticipate questions of the employer and prepare your answers for them. By continuously practicing, you will be confident about yourself during the interview and that's always a huge plus for you.
5. Prepare questions
As you read about the position and company you are applying for, formulate your questions to be asked during the interview. Nothing shows enthusiasm more than an applicant who wants to know more about the company. Although it is recommended that you stay away from talking about salary especially if it's just the first interview.
4. Practice selling yourself
You can ask your friends and/or family to simulate a mock interview for you. Anticipate questions of the employer and prepare your answers for them. By continuously practicing, you will be confident about yourself during the interview and that's always a huge plus for you.
5. Prepare questions
As you read about the position and company you are applying for, formulate your questions to be asked during the interview. Nothing shows enthusiasm more than an applicant who wants to know more about the company. Although it is recommended that you stay away from talking about salary especially if it's just the first interview.
These are just some of the basic preparation an aspiring applicant should do concerning his or her dream job. I’m sure there are a lot more preparation tips, but I believe these are part of the basuic things you should not overlook if you want to increase your chances of landing your dream job. I’ll be posting more as soon as I think of more.
Happy job hunting everybody!
