What to prepare for an interview?

Preparing for an interview is important to making a good impression on the employer. This article details the steps you should take before your interview, including analyzing the company, doing a self-assessment, preparing answers to common questions, and checking your transportation.

The role of interview preparation

1. Increase your chances of success

Preparing thoroughly before the interview helps you better understand the job and the company you are applying for. This not only helps you answer the employer's questions confidently and accurately, but also shows that you are responsible and serious about the job. When the employer sees your careful preparation, the chance of you being selected for the desired position will be higher.

2. Reduce stress

One of the biggest benefits of interview preparation is that it helps reduce stress. When you have a clear understanding of the necessary information and prepared answers to common questions, you will feel more confident when entering the interview room. This confidence will help you communicate better and make a positive impression on the employer.

3. Understand the company and the position better

Researching the company and the position you are applying for helps you better understand what the company expects from the candidate. Not only will this help you prepare appropriate answers, it will also help you determine whether the company is a good fit for your career goals and personal values. This will help you ask smart and specific questions to the employer, showing that you have thoroughly researched the company.

4. Show professionalism

Being well-prepared for an interview is a way for you to show professionalism and respect to the employer. From dressing neatly to preparing the necessary documents, every little detail contributes to creating a good impression of you. This professionalism will help you stand out from other candidates.

5. Make a good first impression

The first impression is very important in an interview. When you prepare carefully, from your appearance to the content of your answers, you will easily make a good impression on the employer. This can decide whether you are selected for the next round or not.

6. Set clear goals

Preparing for an interview also helps you to clearly define your career goals. When you evaluate yourself and research the company, you will have a better understanding of what you want to achieve and what you can contribute to the company. This will help you to be more confident in presenting yourself and your career plans in the interview.

Prepare answers to common interview questions

1. Tell me about yourself

When asked to tell me about yourself, you should start with basic information such as your name, major, and university. Next, briefly summarize your work or internship experience, highlighting your skills and achievements that are relevant to the position. Finally, end with your career goals and why you think you are a good fit for the job.

2. Why do you want to work here?

To answer this question, you need to research the company thoroughly. State what you admire about the company, such as its culture, products, services, or achievements. Then, link it to your personal goals and why you think the company is a great place to grow your career.

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

When talking about strengths, choose strengths that are relevant to the job and provide specific examples to illustrate. For weaknesses, choose a weakness that is not too important and explain how you are working to improve it.

4. What are your career goals?

When answering the question about career goals, you should clearly state both short-term and long-term goals. For short-term goals, talk about the skills and experience you want to develop in the next few years. For long-term goals, state the position or role you want to achieve and how your current job can help you achieve that goal.

5. Do you have any questions for us?

This is your chance to show that you have done your research and are interested in the company. Prepare a few questions about the company, the work culture, or details about the job. These questions will not only help you understand the company better but also show that you are genuinely interested and serious about the position.

Prepare Before Going to the Interview

1. Check your transportation

Before the interview, you should carefully check your transportation to ensure you arrive at the interview location on time. Consider your transportation options such as trains, buses, or taxis, and choose the most suitable one. Plan to arrive at the interview location at least 15-20 minutes before the scheduled time to avoid unexpected situations such as traffic jams or missed trains. If you encounter a traffic incident, call the employer immediately to let them know you are on your way and will be a little late.

2. Dress appropriately

Before the interview, you need to prepare appropriate and professional clothing. Carefully check your clothes to make sure there are no stains or wrinkles. As for shoes and bags, make sure they are clean and in good condition. Not only does your outfit help you make a good impression on the employer, it also helps you feel more confident. Before leaving the house, do a final check of your outfit in the mirror to make sure you are ready.

3. Bring the necessary documents

Be fully prepared with the necessary documents for the interview such as copies of your resume, cover letter, documents proving your work experience, and any documents requested by the employer. Organize these documents in a neat folder for easy retrieval when needed. Bringing all documents and arranging them neatly shows that you are thoughtful and well-prepared, and also helps the interview go more smoothly.

4. Check contact information

Make sure you have the contact phone number of the person in charge of the interview and the specific address of the interview location. If there are any changes to the schedule or location of the interview, you can easily contact and update the information. Knowing your contact information will not only help you be more proactive, but also demonstrate your professionalism and care in the job search process.

5. Prepare yourself mentally

Finally, take some time to relax and prepare yourself mentally before the interview. Get enough sleep to ensure you are alert and in the best of spirits. Before the interview, do some deep breathing exercises or light exercise to reduce stress. Confidence and comfort will help you present better and make a good impression on the employer.

What to prepare after the interview

1. Send a Thank You Letter

After the interview, it is polite and professional to send a thank you letter to the employer. The thank you letter should be sent within 24 hours of the interview. The content of the letter should be brief, sincere, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to interview and re-emphasizing your interest in the position. This is also an opportunity for you to reiterate some of your strengths that you mentioned during the interview, helping you score more points with the employer.

2. Review the interview

After the interview is over, take some time to review the entire process. Remember the questions asked, how you answered them, and the employer's reaction. Make notes of what you did well and what you need to improve. This will not only help you gain experience for future interviews, but also help you recognize the skills and knowledge you need to improve.

3. Continue searching and applying

Even though you have completed an interview, do not stop searching and applying for other positions until you receive a formal job offer. Continuing to apply and attend other interviews will help you gain more opportunities and experience, while avoiding the situation of being too dependent on a single opportunity.

4. Update information and skills

After each interview, you should review and update your resume, cover letter and other relevant documents. If you notice any information that needs to be added or edited based on feedback from the employer, do so immediately. At the same time, continue to learn and improve your professional skills to improve your competitiveness in the next interviews.

Conclusion

Careful preparation for the interview is a decisive factor in your success in the job search process. From researching the company thoroughly, to preparing answers to common questions, to ensuring you dress and act professionally, everything contributes to making a good impression on the employer. By being well-prepared before and after the interview, you not only increase your chances of success, but also demonstrate your professionalism and determination to the employer.