How to prepare for job interview?
After you’ve invested some time and effort to secure an interview, make sure you do your best to secure a contract. As a contractor you will probably go on more interviews than ones working in permanent employment, so making interviewing another of your special skills will help you secure more contracts.
This could be vital for your success.
If you are invited on an interview, that means you have knowledge, experience and education needed for the job. But it will mean nothing if you don’t master your interview skills. This is the chance you can use to your advantage and get yourself that contract.
There are few advice you can follow before and during an interview that could help you.
1.Basic preparation
First find out the basic information: where will the interview take place, transport options, parking, distance…
Make sure you set the alarm to wake you up and leave enough time to prepare and go on time. You should dress nicely and look clean and prepared.
Find out how you can go to the location, how much time you need and things like where you can park, so you don’t waste time looking for parking spot. Check out your route if driving or transportation information if you are using it. Give yourself some time to spare in case of delays, traffic jam…
Running late on an interview will not leave good impression.
However, if unpredictable situation happen, call the company and apologize and explain the situation calmly and politely.
2. Research
You probably did some research about the client before you’ve sent the application but now do some more detailed research about client, check the latest news about company. Gather as much information as you can.
Not being well prepared is the biggest interview mistake. To give you the best chance to succeed you need to find out all you can about the company. Read press releases to find out about their products, customers and competitors and demonstrate your interest with a few questions. Make sure you know what sets you apart from other candidates and be specific about what you’ve done that has made you successful. Know your background without having to refer to your CV but equally know exactly what information is on your CV.
Find out who are you meeting, and who will be your interviewer and do some research about that.
3. Questions and answers
Think about the questions you could be asked in advance and prepare the answers. Write them down and practice your presentation.
There are usually few types of questions:
Why? Why did you apply, why are you the right person for them…
Where? Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
What? What do you expect, what are your weaknesses?
When answering the questions, be honest, confident, short and clear. Answer the question directly, and provide all the information asked. Focus on your strengths and skills.
Always give positive answers even if you are asked about your down sides.
If you are not sure about the question, ask for clarification.
Sometimes they will ask silly questions, but do not get distracted. These questions don’t have wright or wrong answers, they are there just make the interviewer see how you handle stressful situations.
Pay questions – you can’t avoid those and those are important questions. Be prepared for this, know your rates and be ready to negotiate.
Researching the industry and the company will help you set the best possible rates.
Preparation is important in every step of the contracting. But it pays of at the end and soon you will have your contract signed.