How To Prepare For a Job Interview

Hello and welcome back to my blog! Whether you are in the job searching process or planning to apply for jobs in the future, this article can help you be prepared for when you get offered an interview. In my last semester, I took the COOP 1000 course which made me recognize and develop my workplace skills, identify my personal skills and work values, develop a very professional resume and cover letter, and practice elements of interviewing. I feel as though I can share very useful and beneficial information that I got from this course to you! I hope you enjoy reading and use these tips in your next job interview!

Before I get into the tips, I first wanted to point out that not all interviews are the same. There is normally a trend in having the boss or manager interview you, but sometimes it can be workers with different standings. There can also be digital-type interview such as over the phone or through Skype. The most popular is face to face, which I will be discussing. There can be a panel of individuals interviewing you, a group interview, and the possibility of a 2nd or 3rd interview.

So what type of questions can you be asked in a job interview? You could be asked several in these categories listed below:

- Behavioural Based ----> This is a question that is asked in order to get an answer from you that shares a story or example of work you have done in your previous job. An example of this can be "Tell me about a time you dealt with a rude customer?". These questions are typically asked for the interviewer to predict how you would react and deal with future situations.

- Traditional ----> This is a question that is open-ended and is asked in order to get a work-related answer from you. An example of this can be "What does good customer service look like to you?"

- Situational ---? This is a question that involves describing a description or scenario and is asked in order to get an appropriate answer from you. An example of this can be "If you were assigned three different projects to complete by the end of the week and didn't feel you could complete them all by the deadline, what would you do?".

- Direct ---> These are questions asked that simply need a yes or no answer. An example of this can be "Have you designed websites?".

Now that you know the types of questions you could be asked, lets get into how you should go about answering questions in an interview and other beneficial tips. Below are tips I recommend to follow:

1) Really listen to what the interviewer is asking before you answer.

2) Take a few seconds to think about the question before figuring out your answer. Remember to be professional and make every opportunity to prove your knowledge and skills.

3) If you don't understand the question clearly, ask for clarification. It's better to know what the question is asking than to answer very poorly.

4) Not only are you projecting your voice when you communicate, but your body too. Sit up straight, make appropriate eye contact, and try not to fidget!

5) Show enthusiasm and stay positive before, during, and after the interview! You may think that the only important part is the individual(s) interviewing you, but once you step foot in the company's building make a good and friendly impression with whomever you interact with!

6) End the interview with a firm handshake to the individual(s) that interviewed you and say thank you!

7) Follow up after the interview. This could be done with a quick phone call expressing your appreciation for the interview or an email.

To end off the article, I wanted to list 5 questions you could be asked in an interview. I was personally asked these, so it could be pretty common! If you have been offered an interview... congrats! And if you have been preparing for your interview, then definitely consider practicing these:

- Tell me a little about yourself?

* Education? Work experience? Volunteer experience? Awards?

- Why do you want to work here?

*Show that you've done research on the company

-Do you feel you have the experience/education to work with this company?

*Don't answer with a simple yes, list and explain what you've learned from school and what your relevant experience is

- How would your boss describe your from your last job?

* Be honest, and also use this as a way to showcase skills

- What is your weakness?

* Don't only say a weakness you have, incorporate how you have learned from it and end it off in a positive note

links to photos used:

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-to-wear-to-an-interview-for-high-school-students-2061178