Ashleigh Nefdt
Every week Perdeby takes a look at something you should have learned at school to assist you in day-to-day life. This week, we take a look on simple ways to prepare for a job interview.
A large part of being a student means learning how to be an adult. One important step in the great, and somewhat tragic, journey to adulthood, is learning how to conquer the job interview. Whether you’re a somewhat awkward person, or someone who’s every fiber oozes confidence and charm, when it comes to your first job interview, even the mighty of us can face an attack of nerves.
Dress for the generation that’s hiring you.
This may require a bit of research, but finding out the generation your interviewer falls into can help earn you some points. Example: If you’re going to be interviewed by a baby boomer, do not under any circumstances wear jeans with holes unless you want to be asked if you couldn’t afford a full pair of jeans. If you’ve got a millennial interviewing you, wearing your grandfather’s suit might not give off the impression you intended.
Remember to keep it super professional though no matter who is interviewing you.
Stalk the company you’re applying for to learn as much as you can
Find out what they stand for, what their goals and ambitions are and why Linda the receptionist got fired. The whole point of stalking is to find information and to learn as much about the brand as you can. Study the products, services and anything you feel would be important.
Google some practice questions
This will help calm your nerves. Questions in interviews are usually generic, for example:
What are your strengths and weaknesses, why do you want to work for this specific company, and if a negative situation were to occur, how would you handle it? Always take the boss’s side no matter how much you think your imaginary co-workers may be right.
Body preparations
This does not mean you have to become a supermodel or bodybuilder, but rather refers simply to taking care of your body so that you don’t have to worry about it in the interview. Eat something before, drink some water and most importantly remember deodorant.
During the interview, follow the three second rule
To help keep cool and not fumble your words, wait three seconds after every question is asked. This will make you seem like you’ve done this before, or at least you’ve done enough to know of the rule.
Always be honest, but remember to up-sell
Don’t lie about your skill set because eventually someone will discover that you, in actual fact, cannot speak 5 languages. This doesn’t mean, however that you need to be humble.
A job interview is about selling your skillset, which means promote what you do have, and leave out what you don’t.
Finally, be confident in whatever happens
You may end up reaping the fruit of your hard work and get the job you wanted, or you might not. Make sure that when you leave the interview you tell yourself that either path is okay.
Illustration: Marizanne Linde
