Preparing for Your Job Interview

Job interviews: they’re right up there with dental appointments and family reunions as one of life’s necessary evils that we’d rather do without.

When you interview for a job, you’re meeting new people and selling yourself and your skills, which can be “a daunting and nerve-racking experience”, says Jim Taylor, executive coach at Work Fit Analysis.

“It’s okay to be a bit anxious before important meetings, and there’s actually a level under which people perform optimally, so stress before an interview is not necessarily toxic,” Taylor says.

The usual concern that people have about job interviews is that they will be effectively “performing”, and they feel they’ll be scrutinized.

“There’s no reason why you can’t rehearse the interview, just like an actor would before a performance, with a trusted colleague or friend,” Taylor says.

“You can physically go through the process and ask them to give you feedback. You’ll then be psychologically prepared, so the chances of becoming overwhelmed by anxiety are much lower.”

There are several key questions you are likely to be asked, and you should aim to offer a positive reply, even when the question is challenging. For instance, if the interviewer mentions that you’ve had several jobs in a short space of time, respond with the positives – that you were learning new skills, seeking opportunities for growth and promotion, and following different career paths – and refer to the experience you have gained that relates to the position you’re applying for.

Key questions may include:

• Why did you leave your last job?
• Why do you want this job / to work for this company?
• What do you think you have to offer this company?
• What do you think this position involves?
• What do you believe your strengths and weaknesses are?
• Where do you see yourself in five years time?
• Do you work well under pressure?
• Tell me about a time when you have encountered conflict in the workplace?
• Have you ever had to deal with conflicting deadlines? How did you decide which task to complete?
• Do you have any questions you would like to ask?

Taylor also offers these tips to help you sail through your job interview:

1. Avoid caffeine
The day of your interview, skip your morning coffee and steer clear of caffeine-rich soft drinks. “You need to avoid caffeine in the hour or two before an important meeting because it will artificially ramp up your anxiety levels,” Taylor says.

2. Get out and walk
Try and get some fresh air before your interview – ideally, by walking to your destination. If you’re driving or catching a cab, park or get dropped off a few hundred metres from the building so you can calm your breathing and clear your head during the walk.

3. Be punctual
Add 30 minutes to your travel time to allow for heavy traffic or unexpected delays. If you arrive too early, take a quick walk around the block – and if you’re late, don’t panic. “Most people don’t intend to be late, and if they are, they’ll often become anxious, because they don’t want to be perceived as being thoughtless,” Taylor says. Call your interviewer as early as possible to apologize, and let them know when to expect you. Then, take a deep breath and relax; turning up flustered and anxious won’t do you any favors, so offer a reasonable explanation when you arrive, and move on.

4. Enjoy what you’re doing
If you’re passionate about the work involved in the job you’re applying for, your energy and enthusiasm will be obvious to your interviewer. “Work can be looked as a drudgery – something that you do just to put a roof over your head,” Taylor says. “Employers imagine that someone who is engaged in their work will be happier and more productive employees.”

5. Send a thank you note
Always follow up the interview with a thank you note, reiterating your interest in the position and confirming any important details, such as the date you’re available to start work. You should send the letter or email right after you've been on a job interview, ideally within 24 hours.

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