The Perfect Job Interview

People often find an invitation to a job interview both daunting and somewhat challenging. What are they going to ask, how am I supposed to dress, and will they even like me? I’ve conducted hundreds of such interviews, on both sides of the table for more than 30 years and I hope these following steps will boost your confidence.

1. Do thorough research about your potential employer; including their products and services, their market approach and competitors, organisation and management, annual fiscal reports, social media postings to understand their company culture and corporate values.

2. Dress for success! Some companies have an obvious dress code e.g. banking and finance people are seldom seen without a suit and tie. Based on your research you should already have a fair understanding of their dress code. Your personality is often reflected in what you wear, both at work and for leisure activities. Clean attire and polished shoes are always a good starting point.

3. After the initial introductions to your work interview, let the employer lead the discussion. They often have a pre-defined battery of questions they want to go through. Be totally honest, and don’t try to adapt your answers to what you think they want to hear. Again, you will already possess a lot of valuable information based on your research, that will carry you a long way during the interview.

4. Your personal expectations! This is an often forgotten, but highly important issue. Many applicants often feel happy and content after having answered the initial round of questions from the employer. Now, you need to be very clear about your own expectations. “If I would be so lucky to be given the opportunity to join your company, where would you imagine I would be in five years’ time?” The answer that follows should give you a pretty good idea about your future career opportunities and personal development plans. Is there a chance for me to prosper or will I stagnate?

5. Salary discussions are always difficult because there are so many variables to consider. Will you agree with the salary stated in the job posting? Are your expectations to the position in line with the actual job? Do you feel confident that your professional development and skills are being nurtured? In case you want a higher salary, you should be able to substantiate this with clearly defines benefits and perks to the company.

Define the deadlines before you leave. “When can I expect an answer from you?”

Conclusion

Be yourself, be honest and remember that there are hundreds of employers out there. Don’t settle for the first and best offer. Take your time and evaluate each company culture carefully to find the perfect match to your personality and liking.