How to prepare yourself for an interview?

You have made it! Your application was good enough for your future employer to invite you to an interview. Here is some tips of how you can prepare yourself for the big day.

BEFORE INTERVIEW

First and foremost - plan your trip and never be late for an interview. Make sure you know the exact address of your future company and which entrance you need to take. Be aware that you need to have your id with you in order to get to most office building and it will take few minutes before you get from the reception to the meeting room, so take an earlier bus.


Prepare your outfit in advance and make sure everything is in order. Usually, you are not supposed to look too extravagant nor flamboyant, so stick to professional standards. Try to dress accordingly to position and type of job that you apply for. Some jobs my require from men to have their beards shaved and wear suits and shirts with long sleeves. Don't wear too much jewelry and don't exaggerate with perfumes. Remember, you have only one chance for a good first impression.

Your interviewer will probably ask you about your CV, so think of what you might say about your accomplishments so far and find reasonable excuses for things you are not very proud of.

You should also think what would you say if you were asked about your future plans, why you want to work with that particular company, what are your strengths and what weaknesses would you like to improve and why did you leave your last job. It might not be discussed in the beginning, but be ready to answer how much you want to earn. Find out who will  interview you and prepare  few questions that you would like to ask. After all, interview will be a great opportunity for you to learn more about your future job, but make sure that the answer for your questions cannot be found on the company's website. Learn as much as you can about the company that you apply to, at least from the Internet.

DURING INTERVIEW

As you enter the building, switch off your mobile phone and try to relax. Introduce yourself politely and follow instructions of your interviewer. Surely, your interviewer will be glad to see you smiling.


If you apply for a job of a consultant it is very probable that you will be asked to solve a case during your interview. The best approach is to behave as you were a consultant:

1. Use your logic to identify key problems in your case

- approach the most important issues first
- listen to your interviewer and ask questions to clarify what they tell you. Be sure that you understand framework of the problem. Your interviewer will act like a client who doesn't know the right solution, but can provide you with a lot of information that will help you to identify the problem.
- develop hypothesis and framework of possible alternative solutions by asking additional questions. However, don't push to much. You won't find solution if the problem is not where you look for it.

2. Use your creativity

- try to approach the problem from different perspective and think about impact of your solutions on the whole company. Difficult problems rarely have very simple solutions, so don't look for simple and standard answers. After all, by creating new solutions we create progress.
- communicate in a simple and direct way.
- think carefully before you speak and send feedback to your respondent.

3. Convince your interviewer that you are suitable for the job

- show commitment and willingness to develop
- be modest, but confident
- during conversation, maintain eye contact and cooperate with your client