How to prepare for a job interview

Without sufficient preparations, interviews could become the most nerve-racking events for job applicants. Therefore, spending ten or more hours on the preparing is reasonable. In fact, effective preparations can make more competitive, which leads you to the success of job hunting. How to achieve this goal? Here are the steps you should follow.

First of all, know how to answer questions effectively. Avoid giving answers in less than thirty seconds but keep your speech length no more than three minutes. Too short answers are useless. Wordy responses are merely boring. Thus, answer questions briefly unless your responses are really insightful. In general, one and a half to two minutes is about right. Furthermore, what you say is critical. Give up generalities and abstract topics. Instead, provide specific examples. To do this, apply the following patterns into your answers. First, make an opening statement corresponding to the questions in ten to twenty seconds. Second, explain the statement by providing a little more background in another fifteen to twenty seconds. Third, provide several examples that prove your opening statement. Without examples supporting your point, your general statement will not be readily accepted. This part of your response should last about one minute. Finally, wrap up the former information in a quick summary. A speech without an end will only confuse your audience. By giving an impressive ending, you can set a remarkable tone for the rest of the interview. This kind of 4-step response not only answers questions effectively but also brands you as a perspective, bright and capable applicant, which attracts the interviewers and leads to the discussion of your strengths.

Secondly, list your proficient skills. Be sure to write down examples of your accomplishments for each skill. By doing this, you can easily recall them in the interview. In the examples, include some facts like dates, numbers instead of generalizing key points. Since you should not describe one skill for more than two minutes, the amount of information presented is limited. Hence, try your best to pack each skill with according facts in a short rich response.

At last, role-play for the interview. Role-playing can strengthen your confidence and unconscious competence. Before you start, find a list of general questions for interviews, which contains mutual questions like "What do you know about our company"(asked by the interviewer), "How is one evaluated in this position"(asked by the applicant) and so on. Then ask a friend to act as the interviewer and begin the simulation. While you are talking, learn how to be enthusiastic and confident. Meanwhile, practice strong handshakes, proper gestures, eye contacts and so forth. When you get embarrassing, analyze and realize your weaknesses. Then overcome these jitters by repeating practices until you feel natural and spontaneous. Eventually, you should become a composed talker, ask insightful questions and give meaningful answers.

If you follow these three basic guidelines, you are just about guaranteed to success. Once you have confidence, your speech will flow smoothly and your interview performance will be brilliant. Consequently, you can leave the interview in style and impress those interviewers in surprise.