Preparing for an interview greatly improves your performance. Take personal time before an interview to go over your answers and study the company. It is also essential to take time to reflect on your performance after every interview so you learn from the experience and take note of areas you need to improve. To make your job search more effective, do the following tasks before and after an interview.
Before an Interview
Before an interview, take some personal time to prepare your answers to the most common interview questions. Be prepared to provide examples of your skills and experience. However, unlike a resume, an interview requires more than just a list of skills. Memorize quick descriptions of specific projects you worked on that demonstrate skills that are relevant to the job. Also, be prepared to list your biggest weakness, since this is a frequently asked interview question. Be honest with your answer, but also make sure you do not cast yourself in a negative light. If you have answers to common interview questions before an interview even starts, you have a much greater chance of impressing an employer.
Another reason personal time before an interview is so important is it gives you time to commit details about a company to memory. Every job search involves sending out numerous resumes, so it is easy to forget specifics about the company. Take a few moments before an interview to go over the company's mission statement and company culture. Just remember to use your personal time to also come up with an explanation of how you are a good fit for the company. By memorizing details about the company, you stand out from other applicants.
After an Interview
Setting aside time when an interview is over is very important, so you have the opportunity to analyze your performance. Make a list of the things you did right, and make notes about the questions that were difficult. By learning from your mistakes, you can better prepare for your next interview. Also, make a brief outline regarding the information you learned during the interview, such as the job requirements and departmental details. If you get a second interview, this information will be very valuable. You can even use it to follow up after an interview by sending a thank-you note with specific details about the interview. If you fail to take personal time immediately following an interview, you may forget important details about the job and your performance.
In addition to being prepared, taking personal time before an interview allows you to calm your nerves so you go into the meeting confident. Before you move onto the next interview, carefully analyze your performance to improve subsequent interviews. Block out some personal time to improve your chances of getting the job.
(Photo courtesy of Ambro / freedigitalphotos.net)
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