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Interview Preparation: Why Prepare for a Job Interview?

By Andrew Reed

A common mistake made by many interview candidates is thinking that they can just arrive at the interview and 'wing it'.

This works for some however, for most a successful outcome is rare.

With just a couple of questions it becomes very clear whether the candidate has spent time preparing or not.

For example, they may have no idea of the organization, it’s products or culture and this begs the question why they want to work there at all.

The Importance of Interview Preparation

My experience and that of my associates who have been interviewing for many years is that the key to successful interviews is proper preparation.

Whether you are invited for an 'informal' meeting with a small business owner or a formal presentation in front of the leaders of a large conglomerate it is essential that you prepare and practice as much as the time frame will allow.

A candidate who arrives knowing about the job, about the organization and who has made an effort with their answers and with their appearance will win the job offer every time over a candidate who has done none of the above.

Get expert help preparing for your interview

How Preparing for A Job Interview Will Boost Your Chances of Success

• With proper interview preparation you will be able to anticipate the questions you will be asked and practice your answers in advance


• You will know what the organization’s needs are and you will be able to match your skills exactly and as a result convince the interviewer that you are the right person for the job


• You will discover the core skills required for the role and can focus your answers accordingly
  
• Preparing for a job interview means having the right clothes, presenting yourself well and this will help you make a great first impression
• It will help you arrive on time with all the correct items and thus avoid some of the very common mistakes made by many candidates
• Importantly, preparing for an interview will help eliminate any nervousness you may feel.

Interview Preparation Will Help You Decide If The Job Is Right

It is also during this preparation phase that you can take a moment to ask yourself why you are going to this interview and what you want to get from it.

This preparation time allows you to gather information which could in fact indicate that maybe the job is not right for you. It could save you many unhappy years working in an organization which does not reflect your values.

How to Prepare For a Job Interview

Effective interview preparation is not about how many hours you spend. The secret is targeted interview preparation focusing on those questions, answers and information which is most relevant to the job you are applying for.

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About the Author

Andrew Reed is an experienced interviewer and has developed successful recruitment strategies for large organizations within the Customer Services, HR and Finance sectors.

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