Checklist for an Interview: 10 Steps to Improve Your Chances
Getting ready for a job interview takes time and thought. Use an interview checklist to stay on track and confident during the hiring process. 10 Steps to Improve Your Chances
This article talks about a 10-step interview checklist that will help you get ready for an interview.
10-step interview checklist
A checklist for your interview tells you exactly what to do at each step. Make sure your interview goes well by doing these things:
- Spend time learning.
- Make up your own interview questions.
- Test your answers by saying them out loud.
- Write down questions you want to ask the interviewer.
- Read what the job is all about.
- Look after your body and your mind.
- Dress like you’re going to work.
- You should get what you need.
- Write what you have learned down.
- Send a thank-you note.
1. Take the time to learn more
Taking the time to learn about the company and the job will show the interviewer that you want the job. By going to a company’s website and social media pages, you can find out as much as you can about it. Read about their history, find out what products and services they offer, and look at the biographies of the people who are most important to them. The better you come across, the more you know. If you’re applying for a job that requires more experience, learn more about it so you can answer questions better.
2. Make up your own interview questions.
Look online for common interview questions in your field, and ask some of your professional contacts what they remember being asked when they were hired. Using this information, you can start to think of your own questions to help you get ready for the interview. The interviewer will probably ask you the same or similar questions.
3. When you practice, say your answers out loud.
You can practice your answers now that you’ve taken the time to write down some possible interview questions. Think of this as an opportunity to practice talking in front of people. Sit down and answer your questions out loud to make it feel as much like an interview as possible. Bring a friend or your partner with you to make the trip more fun. When someone sits next to you and asks questions, it feels more like real life.
4. Write down questions you want to ask the interviewer.
It’s becoming more common for interviewers to ask candidates if they have any questions for them at the end of the interview. Instead of saying “I think you’ve covered everything,” have at least three questions about the company, the department you’ll be working in, or the job you’re applying for. This shows the person doing the interview that you want the company to do well.
Wait for the interviewer to talk about pay, benefits, and hours. You will probably find out about this later in the hiring process or in your official job offer.
5. Read the job description.
You’ve probably read the job description more than once, but if you haven’t, read it again to make sure you have the right skills. Think about the skills you already have that would help you in this new job. Plan to talk about your strengths and weaknesses during the interview, since employers often ask candidates about their problems. If you don’t know much about a part of the job, you’ll be able to talk about how you plan to learn it.
6. Take care of all of your physical and emotional needs.
Make sure you take care of any needs that might get in the way of you feeling your best at an interview. For instance, you can give your body the energy it needs by making healthy meals that are high in protein and low in sugar. Plan to go to bed early the night before so that when you wake up you will feel rested and ready to go. You can calm any nerves you might have before the interview by taking deep breaths and meditating.
7. Look like you mean business.
You should always have at least one interview outfit ready when you’re actively looking for a job. So, you won’t have to worry too much before your appointment. Find out what the company’s dress code is if you can to get a feel for what it’s like to work there. Before you go to the interview, look over your outfit for holes, stains, and pet hair.
8. Do what you need to do
Before you go to your interview, make sure you have the important things with you. You might need these things for your interview:
- Five copies of your resume
- Pen and paper
- A list of sources
- Questions to ask the person who is interviewing you
- You can put your stuff in a bag or a briefcase.
- To keep yourself clean, you can use things like breath mints and tissues.
- a collection of work
- Identification
Having these things ready will help you make sure you have everything you need for a good interview. You might not need all of them, but it’s good to have them just in case.
9. Put what you’ve learned on paper.
Write down what happened at the interview so you can learn from it. This helps you figure out what went well during the interview and what didn’t feel right. Write down as much as you can remember about the questions, and try to answer the ones you didn’t know how to. This can make you feel better about yourself the next time.
10. Send a thank-you note
Make sure to thank the hiring manager a few days after the interview by getting in touch with them. You could write the company a note by hand for a more personal touch. You could also thank them in an honest email. This will make you stand out during the interview and show how badly you want the job.
