If you are invited for a job interview, you obviously need to prepare yourself to maximise your chances of getting a job offer. You have about an hour to convince a company that you are a suitable candidate for the open position. In this hour, there will be a lot of talking, and the interview can obviously go either way. Still, there are some certainties to an interview, so this is something you can prepare for. Do preparing for a job interview one or more days in advance. That way, the information will stay fresh in your mind and you won't have to think about what you had thought of again.
Read up on the job posting and website of the company you are applying to. Make sure you are familiar with the company's operations and its culture or values. Try to see not only what this company is looking for, but whether it matches who you are and what you are looking for. A good match comes from both sides and applying to a company where you don't actually see yourself working is not an optimal use of time and effort.
It is important that you gather all the information in one place. The appointment, job offer, information about the company and, of course, your own information. Make sure the company has a copy of your most recent CV and has received your cover letter. Think about what questions the company or recruiter is likely to ask. "Tell us a bit about yourself" is the most common question asked. This is not a very exciting question yet, but try to think about your desires, ambitions, strengths you are good at and weaknesses you want to work on.
Think of questions you want to ask the company in the interview. What do you think is important about your job? For example, the way of working or the company culture. Try to ask questions about this in the interview, not only to find out more about the company but also to come across as proactive and interested.
Prepare a good motivation. Think about why you want to work at this company and why you want to pursue this specific job. Try not to come up with generic answers such as "Because I like it". Companies are looking for the right fit, so try to think about what a company is looking for and what you can offer. Remember that there has to be mutual interest and you can also make demands of a company. A job interview is an alignment of mutual interests so try not to say too much about what they want to hear but mainly what you really have to offer.
Prepare a good motivation. Think about why you want to work at this company and why you want to pursue this specific job. Try not to come up with generic answers like "Because I like it". Companies are looking for the right fit, so try to think about what a company is looking for and what you can offer. Remember that there has to be mutual interest and you can also make demands of a company. A job interview is an alignment of mutual interests so try not to say too much about what they want to hear but mainly what you really have to offer.
You can substantiate your motivation or experience by citing examples from your past work experiences. However, try not to overemphasise the negative aspects of previous jobs or colleagues, but rather what you learned from these jobs or how you dealt with situations. Being solution-oriented and compromising are good qualities to highlight.
Dress representatively for the interview. You don't have to be dressed to the nines for every job, but at least try to look neat and tidy. Personal hygiene and grooming are important aspects in job interviews, so cut nails short, wash yourself well and trim facial hair neatly. To combat bad breath, you can use peppermint or chewing gum, but try not to have this in your mouth before the interview as it may come across as disinterested. For smokers, it is also not wise to light up a cigarette right before a job interview.
Check where and with whom the interview is taking place, and what you may need to bring or arrange in advance. Some companies require you to bring something, such as a printed CV or cover letter. Others may ask for certificates such as a VCA.
Due to the corona virus, online job interviews are more common. Preparing for an online job interview a few extra steps. Make sure you have a good internet connection and a room where you cannot be disturbed. You can possibly test your webcam by already clicking on the link of the interview invitation. Be ready to start the interview well before the job interview starts, as there is usually less slack in conducting an interview online. Therefore, also be on time in the meeting to avoid causing delays in others' schedules.
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