When going for an interview, it’s up to you to convince the interviewer that you’re the right person for the position. With the current high unemployment rate in the country, many people are feeling the pressure of making a good impression during their interviews.
The most important part of attending an interview is to be as prepared as possible, and you can do this by following a few of our simple tips and tricks.
- When arranging your interview, ensure you give yourself enough time to make it to the company with approximately 10 to 15 minutes to spare, as this gives you time to relax and correctly compose yourself.
- If you are attending a Zoom, Teams, or Skype meeting, test your equipment beforehand to ensure everything is in working order, and log on five minutes early.
- Practice answering questions.
We have put together a list of the most asked questions and tips on how to answer them:
Tell me more about yourself.
Unless you are a pro at interviews, this question can throw you off. You may not know if you should tell the interviewer about you as a person or about your previous work experience.
When it comes to this question, it is advisable to not have more than a one-to-two-minute summary of your career background, hobbies, interests, and passion. Inform the interviewer, as to what you like and what you are passionate about and be prepared to discuss your history more in-depth because people may be interested in specifics. Try and relate your interests and passions to the relevant job.
What are your strengths?
Ensure that you relate your strengths to the position and company. Do your research about the job you’re applying for, and then talk about the skills you possess that would benefit the company and make you the ideal candidate for the job.
What are your weaknesses?
Don’t be afraid of this question, as it’s almost impossible for everyone to know everything about their position. The world is constantly changing, and with that, comes new duties, programmes, or technology that needs to be learned. If you are not talented in a particular area, explain what it is, how you work around it, and what you do so that it does not interfere with your job or your ability to perform it.
What do you know about the company?
Before the interview, you should have done your research and analysis as to what the company does, and what its core business is. Most importantly, you need to have intelligent and respectful questions prepared for the company, which will show the interviewer you have an interest in their company.