Preparing for Interview? Things You Should Know!

Prepare and research your way to success in your interviews. It's not just what you say during an interview that counts, it's also what you don't say.

More than half of all communication is non-verbal. Industry experts agree that body language can be used to maximize your overall chances of success. These positive behaviors include:

• maintaining friendly eye contact with the interviewer  
• adopting a positive and open body posture  
• dressing professionally for the interview  
• listening carefully and communicating clearly and concisely  
• effectively demonstrating your abilities with relevant examples from your past experience       

Know before you go

Perhaps the most effective way to ensure interview success takes place before the interview even starts. That's when effective preparation and research can make the difference. Always expect the unexpected during an interview. To avoid unpleasant surprises, make sure you come prepared.

1. Make sure you know what the employer is looking for.

Before your interview, create a profile of the company, which outlines key business facts and information related to the philosophy, values and ethics of the organization. This can also help you recognize what attracts you to the position, and how it could potentially meet your career goals. “Did you profile our company?” is also a frequently asked question, and a poorly prepared answer will speak volumes about your level of interest in the job. 

2. Read the job description! 

Many of the clues you need to effectively focus your interview responses are most likely contained within the position profile itself. Try to anticipate questions based on the responsibilities and skills listed in the document, and prepare examples that will highlight your ability to perform in these key areas. Ensure that you can respond to questions that relate to experiences or competencies that are not clearly demonstrated on your resume. Remember that although it is fine to rehearse your answers, don't overdo it. You want to leave the impression that you are a genuine and articulate individual, not someone responding to questions with "canned" answers.

3. Prepare questions to ask your interviewer. 

Preparing relevant and well thought-out questions to ask your interviewer at the end of the discussion demonstrates your level of preparation and interest in the position. The interview is also one of the most important opportunities for you to gather specific information about the company and the job, so make sure you use it wisely. 

4. Keep focused on the information you want to share. 

Knowing the employer's history and understanding expectations will help you prepare your answers and the questions you ask during the interview. You can easily gain the respect and understanding of the interviewer by focusing on the skills, accomplishments, and competencies most related to those required of the position and by demonstrating your abilities clearly with relevant examples. 

Make sure you include transferable skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership and ensure that you are able to clearly articulate the skills you wish to develop and how they will benefit both the organization and yourself. 

Landing a great job is getting harder and harder these days, particularly at a great company. Companies these days are very selective when it comes to choosing the right candidate. To help you shine brighter than your competition, make sure you conduct research ahead of time. Not only will it provide a wealth of information, but it will also help you feel more confident because you'll have the background knowledge you'll need throughout the interview process.