After getting the interview call, prepare yourself because you have to prove that you are the most suitable candidate for the job. Your overall dressing, body language, gestures, and answers to questions are the major determinants for employers about your selection. It would help if you were clear as to what to bring to an interview.
Remember, competition is intense among the job applicants, and you may be one of the many interviewees. Keeping this aspect in view, you would want to make a strong impression in a way that the employer could call you for the next interview.
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Table of Contents
To prepare for an interview, you need first to understand the process of the interview. Initially, hiring managers may ask you questions alongside the human resource (HR) personnel. This is the initial screening process, and the purpose of this stage is to shortlist the candidates for the next stage of the interview.
If you make it to the next phase, you are likely to have a session with higher management. Irrespective of who you will meet, you aim to make a good impression in the first place. If you make a difference, the interviewers will consider you for the next stage by discussing you among themselves.
The interviewers may ask you to complete a time-based written test depending upon the type of your job. The purpose of this test is to evaluate your skills and to check whether you are a suitable candidate for the company.
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To prepare for the interview, you need to do the following:
Make sure your overall appearance is tidy, neat and formal. Wear a proper dress for the interview. The appropriate dresses are a dress suit for men and pantsuit or skirt with close-toed shoes for women. Ladies can also carry a handbag with them.
If you are not aware of the routes, keep directions and any map that you have searched on the internet. Sometimes, you get the guidance about the directions from the person who calls you for the interview. You should know how long it would take you to reach your destination.
Plan your journey according to the distance. You would not like to get late; being late may ruin your impression. If travel time is 1 hour, ideally you should leave one and a half hour before; allow additional time for traffic delays and any other reason. It would help if you reached your destination at least 15-20 minutes before the interview.
You should be familiar with your potential employer before appearing for the interview. Hiring managers may ask you questions about the company. Therefore, it is necessary that you demonstrate your knowledge about the company’s history, products and services, and their mission statement.
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Visit the official website of the company and note the essential points about the company. Generally, on the website “About” section provides details about the company’s background and its beliefs.
Keep a list of questions with you to ask the interviewer if they encourage you to ask questions at the end of the interview. You may ask some more questions according to the conversation.
Your questions will reflect your interest in the company. Additionally, asking the question in relation to the discussion with the interviewers would indicate your comprehension and excellent listening skills.
At the premises, the security may ask you to show your identity. Similarly, the hiring managers may give you a job application form to complete. So, it is essential that you bring driving license, passport or any other form of identification with you.
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The companies may need proof of residence. For this purpose, you can keep utility bills or bank statements as proof of residency.
Keep a pen and a notepad with you so that you could note down important information. Bringing a notebook and pen indicates that you are prepared for the interview. Also, it reflects your professionalism.
Note down the name of the person (interviewer) on the notepad. Sometimes, candidates forget the name of the interviewers. When you reach the premises, the security may ask you who do you want to see? Even if you forget the name, you can quickly tell them by checking that from your notepad.
Additionally, note down the name of the individual who arranged your interview as you may need to give the name to security upon reaching the premises.
Keep additional copies of your resume so that you could provide it to the interviewers upon their request. Please keep a copy for yourself because it may help you in filling the job application.
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Bring a hard copy of the list of references to handover to interviewers. Add at least three (3) professional references. Make sure you have included the details in the list such as their names, official address, and contact numbers of referrals.
After your interview, the interviewers may call your references; so, make sure you select the reference that could attest your abilities regarding performing the job you have applied. It is better that you also keep a copy with yourself in case you need to write the detail of references on a job application form.
You may need to bring work samples according to the type of job you are interviewing for. You can consider bringing your laptop or iPad to show your work samples.
The portfolio is an effective way to package all the things you intend to bring to your interview. It conveys the impression that you are self-organized and ready to present documents upon request.
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Appear in formal dress and confident look for an interview. Bring personal ID, proof of residence, pen, notepad, name of contacts, extra copies of resume, the hard copy of reference list, work samples and a portfolio to the interview.
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