7 important things to prepare before an interview
One week before the interview…
1. Take some moment to find out about the company you are applying into and the position you are applying for. If possible, go to a library or search on the internet about some interesting stories and talk with current or retired employees of that company for some experience and to find out their impression about the company. Then, you may find out about the products or services, business line, market, geographical information, structure, history, and staff of the company and other important information. There should be some development issues in the company, and you should get to know them.
2. Try to find out about the company’s major competitors and analyze which are the differences between them and the company you are applying into.
3. Prepare extract references for your qualification and experience that may be necessary to the company. Practice how to answer interview questions about experience, education, skill and ability and be able to describe their relationship to the recruitment position. Making up something to “paint” your working experience with to prove their usefulness to the company is one of important skills you need to know.
4. Make comments on your own strength and weakness. Be prepared to talk about your weakness but in way of “polishing” you in front of the interviewer. For example, “My greatest weakness of mine is that of being a perfectionist. I always want to spend more time doing my work to ensure it is strictly completed, perfect and of no odd or error”.
5. Prepare some intelligent questions to ask about the company and the recruitment position. This will prove your understanding about the company and your sincere interest in the recruitment position.
6. Try some dresses to ensure you are dressing suitably for the interview. If necessary, you may arrange to rent or look for any more suitable suit.
One day before the interview….
7. Contact the company to make sure your appointment time for the interview. You may as well confirm the names and titles of people you may meet in the interviews.
8. Remember the address of the interview. To be sure, you may check the location twice before the interview on map. This will ensure that you know the road and be there on time. Also, you should consider any potential traffic jam.
9. Prepare all the “necessities” for the interview. Make up for the interview and check for any scratch on your suit.
10. Make some copies of your resume and CV and try to summarize them in one page. The interview, though, has got a copy of yours, making one or more copies for reserve still is a good idea.
The night before the interview: Take a comfortable sleep
The day of the interview
11. Your mind has been powered up to 110% of capacity when that should be the time for the interview. Don’t try to save your food. Eat well, but be careful for any carbohydrate food as it will be the cause to your tiredness.
12. Dress early as it will help relieve your stress when you get to the door. Pay attention to your make-up works such as washing your teeth, combing your hair, using perform, and so on. And remember that, your first impression will reveal much about your personality and trait.
13. Don’t forget to bring along your documents, CVs, Application form, and a briefcase.
14. Take your time for the interview. You should get there 15 minutes earlier than the interview.
15. Smile and greet everyone you meet in the meeting right when you see them. You may smile and shake hand with them again when the interview is over.
16. Relax as you have prepared well for the interview. Take deep breath and sleep well to ease your mind.