Why is interview preparation a decisive factor for your interview success?
Some people are just better than others at interviews. They see interview preparation as a great way to improve their chances of success.
If you’ve ever wondered how they do it, this quick article is for you:
Did you know that 93% of employability is determined by preparation? But only 1 in 10 candidates spends 2 hours or more preparing.
Successfactors – 5 Components of Interview Preparation
The first things you want to know are the job title, responsibilities and qualifications required. But there are other components you should consider in your interview preparation. [toc]
Research the company and role
47% of interviewees who have little or no knowledge of the company are rejected. So,
- Prepare at least 5 questions. Make sure they are specific to the company and role.
- Asking about a recent industry change is a good way to show your interest in a company’s market.
Get Organized
Organize everything 2 days before your interview. Allow extra time for travel delays. Double check that.
Arriving early (say 15 minutes) early to the interview is one of the 12 important things to before an interview
Create positive first impression
85% of interviewers decide whether to hire someone in the first 3 minutes.
Smile, greet your interviewer confidently and do these 16 things to impress your employers if you want to get a winning edge.
Demonstrate your energy and enthusiasm
Interviews are a big chance to show employers that you’re the best fit for the job. So, sit up. Try to relax and let your enthusiasm show through.
One tip to demonstrate your energy and enthusiasm is to understand what interviewers look for during a job interview.
Make eye contact. 67% of hiring managers say that failure to make eye contact is the biggest mistake that applicants make.
Also, don’t cross your arms or fidget as that indicates nervousness.
Demonstrate attitude & aptitude
More than 80% of hires fall for attitude not aptitude. Make sure you talk about your leadership and teamwork skills.
Mark Murphy in his book Hiring For Attitude talks about how hiring landscape is changing and advocates that skills are important, but they’re much easier to assess (that’s why attitude, not skills, is the top predictor of a new hire’s success or failure)
A great way to structure your answers is the STAR Technique. STAR means:
S – Situation
T – Task
A – Action
R – Result
Interviewers ask competency-check interview questions to gain more understanding of you. So,
Always try to respond with a specific answer that highlights the situation on ground, the tasks to be undertaken, the actions you took and the end result.
Your interview preparation isn’t complete if you haven’t practiced these 63 most asked job interview questions and best answers you can build on.
Sucessfactors Summary – What to do after the interview?
Always follow up within 24 hours, it could make a difference. One of the best ways to follow up is to write a thank-you letter after your interview.
75% of interviewers say receiving a follow up impacts their decision-making but only 39% of candidates follow up within 24 hours.
So, keep in mind that the degree of your preparation for any job interview will to a large extent determine your interview success.
