How To Prepare for an Interview

You've been sending off applications and you've finally landed an interview with one of the companies you applied for. Many people find interviews to be nerve-racking, but there are several things you can do to prepare yourself.

1. Prepare to be honest. Any fabrication on your part will be found out during background and reference checks and will usually result in you failing to get the job, or failing toprogress to the next round of interviews, depending on how many applicants there are.
2. Research the company you have the interview with. It's likely you've sent off more than one application, so you need to ensure you know exactly which position you're interviewing for. If the recruiter has sent you any literature, then read if. If not, type the company's name into your favorite search engine to find its website. Walking in and telling the interviewer that you're looking forward to working with a tight-knit group in a small company when they actually employ more than 2000 people isn't going to be a good start to the interview.
3. Look over your CV and application letter. This is especially important if you've sent tailored applications off for the positions you've applied for. Most of the questions the interviewer asks you are going to be based on the information you have sent to them.
4. Be prepared for standard interview questions along with behavioral questions. Standard questions are likely to include previous job history, duties, and what you feel you can bring to the company. Behavioral questions are used to see how you've responded in different scenarios - "Tell me about a time when you..."
5. Think carefully about your strengths and weaknesses. Almost all interviewers will ask you for your top three strengths and at least one weakness. A weakness doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing - perhaps you have a tendency to take on more than you should, saying yes to things when you're already at capacity. Being unable to come up with a weakness isn't usually seen as a good thing and is often seen as cocky.
6. Have your own questions prepared. 99% of interviewers will ask you toward the end of the interview if you have any questions. This is your chance to find out about some of the finer details of the position duties, team size, dress code and various other things. You can also ask the interviewer to repeat anything here that you may want to go over again.
7. Have a salary range in mind. Salary is often not even discussed in the first interview, but if it is, you need to have a figure in mind, along with an idea of what you're willing to compromise on. Does the company offer paid time off in lieu of overtime pay? Are there benefits provided which might make up for a slightly lower salary package? You need to know what you're willing to accept if you are offered the position.

There is no way of knowing exactly what you are going to be asked in an interview, but by preparing yourself well, you'll feel more at ease during the process, and be able to answer questions more confidently.