What do you do to prepare for interviews? Do you think of possible questions that they might ask, or try to talk to current employees before the interview?
At the company I worked for, they used behavior based questions during the interview process, so when people asked me for hints I'd tell them to search for behavior based questions on the web. Everyone who talked to me before their interview got offered a job!
Are there questions that almost every company asks?
I usually try to research the company a much as I can, make sure you follow their moves for a little while and stay up on all news in the industry. It shows them that you are staying informed and on top of things even though you do not work for them yet.
I always get ready by preparing questions and preparing answers for those questions. In the interviewing process, there are several questions that are usually asked and by getting my answers ready, I increase my chances of not being stumped. I also read up a bit on the company as you never know if you'll need that in your back pocket. I also take any negetive questions that are asked and make it work for me. For instance, if the interviewer asks me "What is your weakest trait?" I would answer with something like "Well I could really learn how to deligate more. I tend to want to do everything myself because I like to make sure it gets done and sometimes that distracts me from the things I should be doing instead." See how that really isn't a negetive? And who doesn't want somebody who doesn't cross their T's and dot their I's. I also come up with answers to questions on things like how I solved a problem and an example of how I've brought something to the table. Also eye contact and a warm smile and of course confidence is key to getting the job. You have to be likeable. And I always dress appropriate. It can make a BIG difference!
You never know what is going to be asked so I just try to stay relaxed and meditate on the train while I'm traveling to the interview. If I stay calm and clear my mind I can usually answer any question.
I think the most important part of preparation (for me) is knowing what that company is expecting of staff. Look up the website, know what their company motto is and get a feel for what they want in an employee
To me the foremost important thing is to be relaxed and avoid troubling myself with the unknown ie trying to think what the interviewer will ask as this only tenses me up and this could compromise my performance for the interview. The next important thing would to research and know what the company does.
I visualize the interview and walk through some questions and answers in my head.
Some great posts here! For more information, see interview preparation tips.
For me in preparing for an interview I do my homework on the company. I try and be relaxed and at ease with the interviewer.
The only thing I do to prepare for an interview is to remember what my requirements are, like pay and hours!
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