My previous job interview preparations was an eye opener. So, I thought I should share this with you. read to the end to find important things to do to prepare for a job interview.
My starting point
When I receive a call from the company I applied for a job, I knew this has to be it, the invitation for the interview. A lady greeted me nicely and told me that I was invited for interview for the position I applied for. She told me the date, time and venue to go to. After handing the phone, I knew I had to do some preparations. But my preparations has not started here, it started when I saw the advertisement. I have to do some adjustment on my CV.
CV adjustment
When I saw the job advertisement, I studied the requirement carefully and I instantly knew that I have to do some adjustments. I have a degree in communication science but the job advertisement shows that the company is looking for a candidate with grade 12 also known as matric. So instead of bombarding the employer with my tertiary qualification, I decided to only mention the qualification they were looking for. This is to avoid being seen as over qualified for the positions. I rearranged my CV to fit the position they advertised. I did not add the qualifications I do not posses but I only omitted the tertiary qualifications because they were not required for this job.
Job interview preparation
The first thing I did was to research more about the company since it was not familiar to me. I found out about the job interview when I was searching a website called findhere.co.za. So, I did more search about the company, when where they established, what they deal with and how they operate. This was done in order to respond with confident if ever they were going to ask me about their company.
About the job itself
I went back to the job advertisement and carefully studied the job purpose, job description and the specifications. I really have to know this because if I get the job, I have to perform the tasks mentioned on the advertisement. Understanding my duties is very important because I have to be ready to answer that common question “why do you think you are the best candidate for the job?”. Even though the question is not much based on the role I have to play in the company but it is important for me to understand everything I have to do when I get the job.
Physically and mentally readiness
Somebody has to be physically and mentally ready when going for a job or any interview. So, I had to prepare myself for the big day. Some of the things I did was to go through some of the common interview questions and possible answers. I had to prepare myself understanding what the panel is looking for on each question. I searched online and find plenty useful articles explaining what the interviewers are looking for on those common interview questions.
Here comes the big day
On the day of the interview, I had to wake up early because my interview was at 9am and I have to travel to town to attend the interviews. I already chosen clothes to wear the previous night. I didn’t want to delay by looking for closes during the day of the interview. I chose clothes that fit me well and those I feel confident when wearing them.
Arrival at the venue
I arrived 30 minutes before that schedule and I was shown where to wait for the interviews. I settle down and wait for the panel to call me to present myself.
I think I killed it but I am still waiting for the feedback from the company.