By James Pak
The author is head counselor of Academic & Career Mentors
(Email: jpak@acmentors.com Website: https://acmentors.com)
In today’s challenging job market, it is important that when young people obtain an interview they take full advantage of the opportunity. Many young people get quite nervous when interviewing, and that nervousness can hinder their performance. To minimize this nervousness and to perform well, the key is to extensively prepare and practice beforehand. Here are some key tips to help you succeed in your next job interview.
Pre-Interview Preparation
Identify Your Unique Strengths: Identify three compelling reasons why you’re the ideal candidate. The interviewer’s primary goal is to determine your suitability for the role, so articulate what sets you apart, focusing on your combination of skills, experiences, and personal attributes. It’s not one factor that will separate you from others, but rather a combination of the factors.
Research the Company Thoroughly: Understand the organization’s culture and objectives to genuinely convey why you aspire to work there. Reflect on the factors, beyond salary, that would influence your preference if faced with multiple job offers.
Master Your Narrative: Be intimately familiar with your background, particularly the information on your resume. Clearly and confidently communicate your experiences and achievements.
Anticipate Behavioral Questions: Prepare 5-6 stories exemplifying your character and abilities relevant to the job, illustrating how you’ve navigated various scenarios. Use the STAR method when answering behavioral questions.
Examine Previous Interviews: Utilize platforms like Glassdoor to discover frequently asked questions in the company’s past interviews.
Ask Insightful Questions: Show your interest and knowledge about the company through thoughtful questions. The questions that you ask are an effective way to show that you’ve done research on the company beforehand.
Interview Practice
Rehearse Commonly Asked Questions: Regularly practice answers to questions like “Tell me about yourself,” aiming for responses that are both succinct and comprehensive.
Understand, Don’t Memorize: Grasp the core of your messages, allowing for more natural and confident responses, rather than memorizing them exactly.
Perfect Non-Verbal Cues: Align with the interviewer’s energy, maintain good posture, smile, and exude a positive demeanor. People often underestimate how important this is.
Embracing the Interview
While nervousness is normal, adequate preparation and rehearsal can significantly boost your confidence. Before the interview, take deep breaths to center yourself. Remember, the interviewer is primarily interested in why you are the perfect fit for the role. Seize the chance to highlight your compatibility and strengths for the role, and approach your next interview with confidence and zeal.
