Research the company and the industry:
- You will present more interested and engaged in the position.
- You will feel more confident and comfortable in the interview because you are prepared.
- Understand what the organization’s values are and see if they align with your own (remember, you are interviewing the organization just as much as they are interviewing you to ensure it is a good fit for yourself)
- Allows you to ask meaningful questions in the interview based on your research. If the organization claims that their #1 priority is safety, you can ask how the organization’s leadership equips employees to succeed in that area
Research the job posting:
- The job posting contains key information about the position. By looking at this information, candidates will be able to determine if their skillset aligns with the job description
Prepare for common questions:
- Be sure to know how to answer the following:
- Tell us a bit about yourself
- What are your goals?
- What made you interested in this job opportunity?
- What skills / experiences do you have that you believe will help you in this role?
- Tell us about a challenge / conflict you faced at work and how it was solved?
- What are you looking for in a new position?
- Strengths / Opportunities for Improvement
- Practicing your delivery: It is okay to be nervous! A great way to battle the nerves is to practice - grab a friend and do a mock interview. Practice your answers and become comfortable speaking about yourself.
Show up
- No matter where the interview is taking place (in person, or over a webcam) ensure that you are dressed appropriately for the position:
- Make sure the attire is something that you are comfortable and confident in
- Appropriate for the location of the interview: if the interview is at an office, you would dress differently than if the interview were taking place on a field work site.
- Practice good hygiene
- Ensure that your clothing is wrinkle-free, tear-free, and fits properly to present a more organized and professional appearance
- Show up ahead of time. Show up around 5 minutes early for your interview. It is important to understand that interviews are scheduled for a specific time, and just because you show up early, does not mean that you will get in any earlier. Showing up late also demonstrates disrespect for the interviewer’s time.
Stay tuned for Part 2: What to do during the interview