A good job interview starts with good preparation. Here’s how to prepare in 6 steps :
We always prepare for every important aspect of our lives, and the same applies to job interviews; if the job interview is crucial for you, it means there are details you need to pay attention to.
So, what can we do for pre-interview preparation?
1. Analyze Yourself Thoroughly
This is the initial stage of preparing your CV. Without knowing what to prepare, nothing you prepare will yield successful results. Start with questions like “How well do I know myself? In which areas am I strong? In which areas do I need improvement?” Also consider external factors. Doing a SWOT analysis with the help of objective feedback from close ones will reveal strengths and areas for improvement you may not have noticed before.
2. We must prepare the best CV for the first meeting
This stage is the most critical stage; if your CV does not stand out among other CVs and secure you an invitation, it means you have encountered one of the following reasons.
– Our CV may not have been prepared very well. Sometimes CVs can be seen as just a tool and can be very sloppy and full of data and expressions that do not express the person. If this is the situation we see when we criticize ourselves, then our solution is easy. SWOT analysis results and other data you have, together with the methods you will use when you read my entire article, will help you prepare a good CV and increase your chances of being invited to an interview.
– Our CV may be very well-prepared; however, it may not be suitable for the positions we are applying for. Although the likelihood is lower, we have solutions for this situation as well. If you have decided to change sectors, if you are a recent graduate applying for an experienced job, or if you have applied for a position in a sector where you have no previous experience despite being asked for experience in your own position, your task may be challenging but not impossible. In such cases, it is crucial to share this situation in the cover letter with logical expressions and a corporate tone. The cover letter section of CVs is an opportunity to express information that goes beyond the standard CV format and provide essential insights into the position you are applying for. If you are looking for jobs in multiple fields, it is essential to prepare multiple CVs and apply with a cover letter tailored to the position you are applying for.
– Technical details in our CV are more important than we might think. Age, military service, graduation, address, seniority, driver’s license, and even acquired certifications… When the recruitment specialists announce the job openings, depending on the position, there are between 100 to 1000 applications per day. Since it’s not possible to review each application individually, career websites use filtering methods. According to the filtering method, if the technical details mentioned above match the details specified in the job advertisement, the CVs are filtered through to the recruitment specialists. Going through an example from one of the individuals I provided voluntary CV consultancy for, let’s say our friend has completed their undergraduate education but has started taking additional education through distance learning in a different field due to their focus on personal development. When we check their CV on a career website, they appear as a student in the system. We need to pay close attention to such situations so that our CVs are not eliminated by career websites before reaching the recruitment specialists. After each application, put yourself in the shoes of the company’s HR specialist, review the job details and your CV, and assess whether you would hire yourself with an objective perspective. This evaluation can be very beneficial.
– Our CV may be very well-prepared and meet the criteria of the job posting; however, there could still be more fortunate candidates. We can attribute this factor to luck, fate, destiny, or various other reasons. Whatever we choose to call it, it is the only factor outside of our control. Therefore, it is best to approach this factor during the job search process without dwelling on it too much and without letting it affect our motivation as much as possible.
3. We should create awareness of our strengths and areas for development
If we are recent graduates, do we have sufficient competencies for our field of study? If not, what additional skills can we acquire? If we have experience, what areas should we develop based on the requirements of the industry we will be working in? We should ask ourselves these questions. Remember, when you know yourself very well and are aware of your strengths and areas for development, you present yourself as a candidate with awareness during the interview. Additionally, without being prompted by questions, you can convey your own development plan to the other party, turning risks into advantages.
4. We should research the company we are applying to
During the job search process, we may apply to numerous companies, and sometimes we may even forget the names of the companies we applied to. When a company calls us, we might find ourselves thinking, “When did I apply? Which company was this?” However, once the interviewer confirms the meeting date, we regain our focus. Up to this point, everything is normal; however, there are a few important details to pay attention to during and after the phone call.
Firstly, make sure to get the exact name of the company during the phone call. Sometimes, due to speaking quickly, the name might not be clear. If necessary, ask for the spelling of the company name. Additionally, if possible, request the Recruitment Specialist to share the details via email. This will make follow-up easier, and you’ll have the company’s address, contact information, and most importantly, a contact person for future communication.
After the conversation ends, promptly research the company name thoroughly on websites and social media platforms. Take note of any details that catch your attention; these could be valuable during the interview.
5. We should know the details of the job advertisement as well as we know our own name
If we have been invited by the Recruitment Specialist, it means we have passed the initial stage where the criteria of the CV have been met, despite occasional exceptions. Now, the next stage is the interview, and a critical aspect of preparing well for it is having a thorough understanding of the details of the job advertisement. Thinking that the position we applied for is already within our area of expertise, or assuming that it’s not important anymore since we’ve been invited, would be a significant misconception. Even if job descriptions may seem similar across companies based on specialization areas, the expectations can vary due to sectoral reasons or the needs of the job. Moreover, many job postings may require expertise in multiple areas. Remember, when you attend the interview, Recruitment Specialists assume that you are familiar with all the details in the advertisement, and unless you guide the discussion with your questions, they will conduct the interview under the assumption that the job descriptions are suitable for you.
6. We should practice interviews extensively
Before attending the interview, we should ask our family, friends, and acquaintances for practice interviews as much as possible. Practicing will help us feel the atmosphere beforehand and reduce some of the nervousness. Additionally, it prepares us for potential questions, ensures we understand the job requirements, and helps us retain information about the company. If you practice in front of a mirror, you can observe your facial expressions and tone of voice, enabling you to prepare for the interview with better diction.
If you have completed the preparation steps, now it’s time for the interview. I wish you all the best of luck!
Gulbahar Gurbuz
