It is critical to prepare well for a job interview: thinking about the questions you may be asked, reviewing your application, and ensuring you arrive on time. The better prepared you are, the more confident you will feel.

Preparation

Interview preparation is critical – you need to research the company, analyse the job specification and show how you meet the criteria set out. Reply promptly to an interview invitation. Revisit the employer’s recruitment literature and re-read your application. Prepare a list of suitable answers for the most common questions. If you have to travel to the employer’s premises, make your travel arrangements well in advance. Most organisations pay expenses so you should keep a record of all expenses incurred and ask for receipts when you buy your tickets. Aim to arrive early to allow for delays en route and to give yourself enough time to relax. It is important to dress smartly as this will convey a professional and competent image.

Before the interview

Some tips to help you address advance concerns:

• The better prepared you are the less likely you are to feel nervous.
• Revisit your application for the job, as many interview questions will be based on this.
• Get a good night’s sleep the night before.
• Visualise yourself as the interview answering questions confidently. Practise answering questions out loud. Take a few deep breaths to help you remain calm and focused prior to interview.
• Remember the interviewers are not there to interrogate you. It’s in their best interests to put you at ease and bring out the best in you.

This article appeared in gradireland 2007.