5 Tips to Prepare for Interviews

There are plenty of ways you can prepare for an interview. Whether you have experience with interviews or are going into your first, you should always go through steps to prepare. Here are a few tips to follow while going into an interview:

1.   Rehearse Some Sample Questions!

There are some questions that are often asked in interviews. It’s good to rehearse your answers to these possible questions beforehand. For example, one of the most common questions asked is, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”. Since this is such a common question and it’s about you directly, employers expect your best answer!

2.   Do Your Research!

A lot of companies look for employees who share their same values. Along with that, they like to make sure you fit in with the culture. By taking a few minutes to go over the company website you will generally be able to get an understanding of what they value. You’ll also get a sense of the culture as well; you can relate back to these values during the interview session.

3.   Prepare Questions to Ask.

Usually at the end of an interview the employer will ask if you have any questions for them. It’s good to prepare a couple quick questions. This gives the interviewer the sense that you are actually interested in the job. Along with that, it gives you the opportunity to learn a little more about the role/company.

4.   Dress Appropriately

While going into an interview, it’s always best to over dress rather than under dress. Professional business attire is always recommended when going to an interview. Also, bring some writing material with you. It’s always a good idea to bring a binder or a folder with paper and a pen.

5.   Read Over the Job Posting

Reading over the job posting gives you an idea of the kind of work you will be doing, the skills needed, and qualifications that are desired. This gives you the opportunity to think of situations from your past work experience when you have used these skills. Along with that, it may give you an idea of any situation questions the interviewer will ask. Lastly it prepares you to answer any questions based on your qualifications. If you don’t have a specific qualification, (i.e. Smart Serve,) you can simply mention you have plan on getting it.

For more information on interviews you can go to https://careerzone.brocku.ca workshops tabs in the Online Resource Centre!

Thanks for Reading!

Daniel Moody

Career Assistant

Business Communication Major