Interview preparation tips

Sometimes even glass half empty people get a little optimistic. This especially happens when you have successfully navigated a number of difficult interviews and stand on the precipice of a career changing job offer.

In these circumstances it is completely normal to drop your guard a little bit, even become somewhat complacent. The hard work is done…

Or is it?

Every interview is a first round interview and the further you go into a process the more this becomes true. Interviewing is not just about being offered a job, it’s about leaving yourself in a position to get the best possible job, on the best possible terms and under the best possible circumstances. If you under perform at any stage of the process it leaves you with less to negotiate with at the completion of the process.

A couple of times a week I find myself talking things down a little bit. Adding caution to a positive outlook and citing experience as a reason for concern. This is necessary because it is easy to take the foot of the gas when you feel you have beaten all the other competitors without reasoning that when it comes to a career, the only competitor is you.

Make a promise to yourself that when you prepare for a first round interview, you will work harder for each consecutive interview that happens thereafter. Even if you are told that you are the front runner or the only candidate left in the process – approach the next round like it was still day 1 and all to play for.

Equally, if you have concerns about the role, now is the time to vocalise these. Your concerns may be valid or a result of miscommunication and it’s important to be correctly and fully informed before you make a decision.

Here are some things you should prepare (at the very least) for interviews occurring at the latter end of the process:

• Have you solidified 2 or 3 things about the role or company that firmly enforce your interest?
• With the information now at your disposal, are you more convinced that you are suitable for the role?
• Have you identified critical concerns or doubts about the role?

We all count our chickens from time to time and often this expectation is perfectly justified.  Remember however that you don’t leave the interview process until you sign a contract, and everything is still up for discussion until the ink dries on the page.

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