Student Job Link's Resources

So you’ve got that interview that you’ve been waiting for. Now what?  

Firstly, you deserve a pat on the back for managing to make yourself stand out from most of the other job applicants with your covering letter and resume.  By now, your prospective employer would have already drawn a picture in his mind of what kind of person he or she thinks you are and is interested to get to know you better to assess whether you’re in fact the right candidate for the job.

Your job in the interview is to confirm and enhance your potential employer’s perception about you.

Preparation is crucial for success during an interview.

The first thing you need to do when you’re preparing for an interview is to remind yourself how badly you want this job. This will motivate you and drive you to do your very best. Your enthusiasm must eventually show during your interview as well.

Get to know your interviewer. Find out who will be interviewing you and get all the information you can on this/these person/s. Also, it is very important to find out all you can about the company.  What products/services do they provide? Who are their customers and what’s the competition like? Moreover, try to get a feel of the company culture through their marketing material, website or other employees, because ultimately what your potential employer would be looking for is a qualified person that will fit in the corporate culture.

Jot down a list of questions that you think you will be asked by the employer and prepare some compelling answers that will highlight your qualifications and skills.  Remember you’re there to impress your potential employer. An interview is not a time to be shy and modest about your accomplishments. Practice how you are going to “sell” yourself to the employer and make him/her realize that you are his/her best choice for the job.

During the interview, you will be asked whether you have any questions that you’d like to make about the company, job, etc. Make sure you have at least a couple of questions to ask. This will indicate that you’re really interested in getting the job.  Use these questions to stand out from other job applicants and try to think of a set of questions that other applicants will not likely ask. 

For e.g. comment on a past marketing campaign and enquire further.  With these questions you have to put yourself in your potential employer’s shoes and try to anticipate what his reaction would be when you ask the question. 

Will your questions impress your interviewer? Will they show that you’ve really done your homework and thereby give him more proof that you really are the best person for the job?

Make sure that you have all the documents that you will be needing during the interview organized. Also prepare what you’re going to wear a day before. Dress appropriately and according to the job you’re applying for.

Try to stay focused and positive a couple of days before the interview.  If you can postpone any tasks, events, etc that you know will stress you, do so.  Preferably, you should go to the interview with a “clear” mind.  Leave any worries that you might have at that moment behind! This attitude will help you to be sharp and confident during the interview.

A final word of advice. In the event that you’re not chosen for the job, do not take it personally. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you did anything wrong during the interview.  Use that interview as another learning experience and move on.