It is always good news when a recruiter calls to tell you that you have been invited for an interview. There is more to interviewing than choosing your best suit, wearing your lucky tie, getting a fresh hair cut and running through your resume trying to guess what will be asked. Preparation is crucial. Let’s take a look at a few key points:

1) Research the company
Knowing the name of the company you sent your resume to is simply not enough. It is important to comprehensively research the company, its competitors and the industry it operates in. You should also have a firm understanding of the main responsibilities of the role you have applied for.

Through a simple search, you can access information, news and press releases online. You may also want to use social networking sites such as LinkedIn to learn more about the company, your interviewer and any others involved in the hiring process.

2) The interview
Find out the interview format in advance, e.g. will it be a biographical or technical interview? An introductory meeting or a technical test? If you are working with a recruiter, he or she will be able to brief you on what to expect.

Do not underestimate the importance of the first impression; get a good night’s sleep beforehand and aim to arrive 10 minutes early. An interview is not always a formal review of your resume. While HR will usually look at the psychological aspect of the interview, a hiring manager could surprise you with technical or competency-based questions to prove your skills and abilities. Anticipate and practice questions in advance. This will help you to appear relaxed and confident, and answer each question concisely.

3) Questions and answers
Remember, an interview is a two way communication process. It is a decision making process not only for the employer, but also for the candidate. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer which demonstrate your interest and ambition. You could ask about the company’s future growth plans, its long term business strategies, the team you will be working with, or the interviewer’s background. What makes a candidate stand out from the crowd is energy and a real interest in the company. At the end of the interview, remember to re-iterate your interest in the role and thank the interviewer for their time.

Find more tips on preparing for your interview here >>>

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