How to Have a Successful Work Interview

Congratulations! If you’re looking for how to prepare for an interview, that means that you’ve already passed the first hiring steps: they reviewed your CV and believe you have the necessary qualifications to be part of their company.

Now, make sure you take full advantage of this opportunity. Let's take it step by step:

First, get to know the company you are applying to. Study the company as if you were studying for a final exam. Learn about its mission, vision, and the general philosophy that guides its long view. Check their social media to see what image the company is projecting.

Knowing what the company you are interested in does – and why it does it – not only lets the interviewer know that you are a serious and responsible person, but also allows you to verify that your interests and values align with the company you’re applying to.

Second, review the job description. It’s especially important to understand the job responsibilities you’d have. After doing this, reflect on the reasons why you applied for this job and use them in the interview. Highlight the strengths that you think the interviewer is most interested in and that could have caught their attention on your CV.

Third, remember that some questions are widely used by interviewers: What can you tell us about yourself? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why do you want to work with us? Why should we hire you? What salary do you have in mind?

Be sure to prepare responses to each of these questions. Practice with someone, so that you will be confident when you’re answering them for real.

Fourth, remember that you can also ask questions. An interview is a conversation, not an interrogation. Preparing your questions in advance can net you pivotal information when it comes to accepting the job. Also, it shows that you are a person who takes the recruitment process seriously.

You can ask about job responsibilities for specific vacancies, room for growth within the company, the human team you’d work with, and even about your potential manager’s qualifications and work style.

Finally, keep in mind that if they called you, it's for a reason. Companies do not call just anyone; they focus only the people they are interested in. So, arrive with confidence and shake off your nerves.