You went through all the steps: you searched for job announcements, prepared your application, sent the email. And they called you for an interview! So, what do you do now? 

There are a couple of things to keep in mind before the job interview, during it and after it. In this article we will talk about these phases regarding the job interview.

Before the job interview

So, what can you do to prepare yourself for the job interview?

First, be sure to have the correct information about the time and place of the interview. You don’t want to miss it because you arrived late or at the wrong place. If you are not sure, ask with an email or phone call. Make sure you take into account the time you spend for the travel when going there. You can even visit the place of the interview in advance, so when it will be the moment you will know where to go and you will be able to make an estimation of the travel time. 

Second, prepare yourself mentally. Imagine the questions you will be asked, and how you can respond. Do you have your elevator pitch ready? And do you have questions about the job you want to do? You could prepare some notes not to forget what you wanted to clarify.

Third, prepare your appearance. You want to make a good impression, so prepare some clothes that are appropriate to the situation. You don’t want to be too elegant nor too casual. Just be sure that the clothes are clean and that you feel comfortable with them. If you have to wear suit and tie, you can even wear them for a bit before, so that you make yourself comfortable.

Fourth, prepare the documents you will need. You should have already sent them your application dossier (I talk about it in my “Mini-course: How to be digitally organized while unemployed – Ebook”). But it is a good idea to have a copy or two of it to give to the recruiter (or recruiters) if they do not have one. If you want to give them other documents, you can print them out and give them to them the moment of the interview.

During the job interview

You arrived on time at the right place. Remember, the moment you arrive to the building or next to it, you are observed. Don’t think you have to make a good impression only in the interview room. The recruiter could always ask to the other workers what is their impression about you. My number one advice, then, is to always be polite to everyone you meet, not just the recruiter.

When you finally meet with the recruiter, try to be relaxed and smile. This is not going to be super easy, as you are in a situation you are not familiar with (you don’t spend all your life doing job interviews, after all). It is normal to be a little anxious for the job interview. After all, if you get your next job or not might be decided during it.

Just remember: this is not an exam where you have to perform a certain way to earn the job. Just like the recruiter, you are a professional, and you have competences that you want to offer in exchange of other things. You sit at the table on the same chairs, at the same level. Do not be arrogant, and do not be terrified. The job interview is all about finding if there are the conditions to make a new job contract, which is an agreement signed by the company and by you.

 

After the job interview

If the company is interested in you, they will contact you. If they are not or they choose to hire somebody else, they may not give you an answer, but, as professionals, they always should give you an answer.

When they do, answer them accordingly. If they choose not to hire you, thank them for their time and the opportunity they gave you, and remain available for them.

If they do not answer you in a few days or when they said they would, you could always send them an email or make a phone call to ask them at what point they are in the decision process.

Conclusion

The job interview is a delicate situation, just like the times before and after it. With this article I wanted to give you a few tips for going through the job interview in the best way I know.