9 Preparing for an Interview

What is a Job Interview?

A job interview is when you meet with someone who might hire you for a job. It’s important because it’s your chance to show that you are the right person for the job. The person you meet with is often called an “interviewer.” The interviewer asks you questions to learn more about you. It’s a time to show that you have the right skills and are excited about the job.

Tips for Getting Ready for a Job Interview

Here are some things you should do to get ready for a job interview:

1. Learn About the Company

Before the interview, find out what the company does. Look at their website or read about them online. This helps you understand what they care about and what it might be like to work there. You can also ask someone you know who works there.

2. Read the Job Description

The job description tells you what the job is about. It shows what skills and experience you need. Read it carefully so you can talk about how you are a good match for the job. Make a note of what experience you have that is very connected to what is in the job description. How can your professional, personal, and educational experience help you be a good employee in that position?

3. Practice Answering Possible Interview Questions

Think about what kinds of questions the interviewer might ask. What do they need to know about you to see if you are a good fit for the job? Practice answering these questions with a friend or family member. In addition, there are some questions that interviewers often ask. You can see a list of example interview questions below. Think about how you can answer these in a professional way, and practice this before the interview. This will help you feel more confident.

4. Dress for Success

Wear clothes that are neat and look professional. If you’re not sure what to wear, it’s better to dress more professionally. This shows that you take the interview seriously.

5. Be on Time

Get to the interview 10-15 minutes early. This shows that you are punctual and responsible. It also gives you time to relax before the interview starts. Take some time to review your notes and take a deep breath!

6. Be Polite and Respectful

When you meet the interviewer, smile and shake their hand. Be polite to everyone you meet, not just the interviewer. This helps the interviewer and others know that you will be easy to work with and that you care about the interview.

7. Ask Questions

At the end of the interview, the interviewer might ask if you have any questions. Make sure you have at least one question to ask. This is your chance to show that you’re interested in the job. You can ask about the company, the team, or what a typical day is like. What do you want to know? What will help you prepare for the job if you get it?

8. Send a Thank-You Note

After the interview, send a thank-you note or email. Thank the interviewer for their time and say that you are interested in the job. This can make you stand out from other applicants.

Talking About Your Experiences

During a job interview, you need to talk about your past experiences. Be sure to use the correct past tense when you speak. For example, you can begin your sentences with phrases like the ones below.

• “I worked at…”
• “I learned how to…”
• “I helped with…”
• “I was responsible for…”

Example: “I worked at a grocery store for two years. I helped customers find what they needed and learned how to use the cash register.”

When you talk about your experiences, use specific examples. This makes your answers more interesting and shows that you know what you’re talking about. Try to use action verbs like “worked,” “helped,” or “learned.”

During the interview, you will also need to talk about any important achievements, any skills you have that can help you in the job, and how you are able to solve problems, show leadership, or work with others in a team. Here are some more ways that you can discuss these topics:

• Describing your experience:
  • “I have experience in…”
  • “In my previous role, I was responsible for…”
  • “During my internship, I learned how to…”
  • “I worked as a [position] at [company], where I…”
• Talking about achievements:
  • “I successfully completed…”
  • “One of my biggest accomplishments was…”
  • “I am proud of the time when I…”
  • “I was able to [describe a specific achievement] because I…”
• Explaining your skills:
  • “I have strong skills in…”
  • “I am proficient in…”
  • “I am known for my ability to…”
  • “I excel at…”
• Describing teamwork and collaboration:
  • “I worked closely with…”
  • “As part of a team, I…”
  • “I collaborated with [team/department] to…”
  • “Together with my colleagues, I…”
• Solving problems:
  • “I encountered a challenge when…”
  • “To solve this problem, I…”
  • “I used my [skill] to overcome…”
  • “One time, I had to…”
• Discussing leadership and initiative:
  • “I took the initiative to…”
  • “I led a project where I…”
  • “I was in charge of…”
  • “I organized…”
• Talking about learning and growth:
  • “I learned a lot about…”
  • “I improved my skills in…”
  • “This experience taught me…”
  • “I developed my knowledge in…”

Common Interview Questions

Frequently, interviewers have basic questions that are a way for them to get general information about you. These are often the same or similar in many different interviews. Here are some example questions you might be asked in a job interview. Practice answering them to get ready.

1. “Tell me about yourself.”
   • Start by giving a brief introduction. You can mention basic information about yourself and what experiences you have that are relevant to the job. For example, you can talk about your education, work experience, or other parts of your life such as interests, hobbies, or volunteer work that show you would be good for the job.
2. “Why do you want to work here?”
   • Talk about what you like about the company. You can mention something you learned during your research. Be specific! This is a great way to show that you took time to learn about what the company does and what the job would be like.
3. “What are your strengths?”
   • Talk about something you’re good at. Give an example to show how you’ve used that strength, especially in a job.
4. “What are your weaknesses?”
   • Be honest but positive. You can mention a weakness (something that you have trouble with), but also always explain how you’re working to improve it.
5. “Can you tell me about a time when you solved a problem?”
   • Use a specific example. Explain what the problem was and how you fixed it. Try to find an example from a previous job or school experience if possible.

Practice for a Job Interview

These steps will help you get ready for a job interview.

Step 1: Research a Company

Choose a company that you are interested in and that you could imagine yourself working for. If you have a job description, check it for information about the company and department. Look it up online and find out what it does and what kinds of jobs are there. Write down a few interesting facts about the company.

Step 2: Write Your Own Interview Questions

After you read the job description and the company website, imagine you are the interviewer. Write down a list of questions you would ask if you were the interviewer. Then, practice answering these questions with a partner. This will help you think about what employers might ask and how you’d respond.

Step 3: Practice with a Partner

Pair up with a partner and take turns asking each other interview questions. Use the questions you wrote and the common questions from this chapter. Give feedback to each other on how clear and confident the answers are.