Job Interview Preparation
Preparation is key to a successful interview, so ensure you:
Know your resume well, including specific details on the projects you have worked on. Failure to speak confidently on you own work with cause doubts in the interviewer’s mind.
Know your potential employer. Ensure you not only research the company prior to your interview, but also look at the interviewer’s LinkedIn profile so you are familiar with their background too. Ensure you are familiar with the business’ locations, performance of that year, and also check for big announcements or changes to the company that can be spoken about in the interview (and demonstrates you have done your research).
Ensure you plan your route to the interview well, allowing plenty of time for obstacles including traffic or problems with public transport.
Review the job description before the interview once again, and if you are using a recruiter, ensure you gain as much detail from them beforehand.
Dress in business attire, full suit with tie and black shoes.
Best Job Interview Tips
Arrive 15 minutes prior to the interview. Do not arrive too early either –this shows poor time management skills.
Firm handshake and smile when the interview comes to collect you. Build rapport on the way to the interview room but starting small-talk type conversation.
When answering questions, ensure you articulate as many details as possible, based on projects you have worked on that relate to the question being asked. Ensure that you speak about how you used certain technologies and why it was the correct technology to use. Furthermore, if this role includes a business aspect, ensure you speak about high-level scenarios where you had to engage non-technical / business stakeholders and how you worked with them.
Speak about successes and achievements in the projects you worked on. Make sure you also speak about problems and difficult situations you faced and how you resolved them.
Always ask the interviewer if they are satisfied with your answer and if you need to elaborate any further.
Do not ask about salary, working hours or annual leave.
Make sure you have at least 3 questions to ask at the end. These questions can include anything relevant about the company (maybe based on your pre-interview research), something technical or specific about the role, and also a question directed at the interviewer asking them about why they enjoy working at the company or about their career history. This helps build rapport.
Ensure you close the interview by asking the interviewer if they have any doubts or reservations about your ability to perform the role. You will be surprised at how transparent interviewers can be, and if there are any doubts – it will give you an opportunity to tackle them. By not asking this question, you are simply assuming the interviewer is 100% happy and you have won the job – when this may be very far from the truth.