You have to know about the two elements of high quality interview preparation.
Firstly, you have to do research. You need to find out all about the company that you are applying to, the job on offer and the skills you have to offer.
Then you need to learn how to talk confidently and enthusiastically. Figure out what the common questions are likely to be about and then think about what you could say in answer to those questions. Keep improving your delivery.
For this article, I want us to focus on how you are going to develop the content needed to sell your skills well.
Take about 4 hours to construct a short, 10-page report on the company you are applying to join. In doing so, you’ll not only be preparing the background research for the interview, in a more focussed way, but you’ll also have a document to keep referring to.
Use this document to refresh your knowledge about the company so that you have the key facts and figures to hand on the day of the interview. You will also discover that you have gained huge insights into what makes the company tick and who the players are. This will be invaluable in helping you to sell your skills. It may even make you realise that this is not a company that you will be happy working in.
The internet will provide you with speedy access to a vast amount of information to fill your report. Go to the company website and look them up on Google. But also consider looking at more authoritative sites, such as one or more of the following:
1. http://www.hoovers.com will give you information from Hoovers
2. http://www.dnb.com – Dun and Bradsheet will also give you some of their research into your company
3. http://www.vaultreports.com/companies/searchcompanies.jsp will also provide you with company research data
4. For more information go to http://www.company.monster.com/
Don’t forget to also investigate the market that the company is operating in. Try to have some idea of the trends over the last 10-20 years and what the forecasts are for the future.
Develop some ideas as to how you can help this company meet its challenges and opportunities in the coming years – bearing in mind its history and how it is set up now.
The job description is gold dust. Spend a few hours going through the document and try to work out what topics are likely to be questioned in the interview. Work out the companies needs and weaknesses and use that insight to work out how you can sell your skills better.
The interview is completely about sales ie selling yourself. Sales involves meeting their needs … give them what they want.
Your main task is to allow the interview panel to figure out for themselves that you are the most suitable candidate for the post. Take the time needed to review your previous posts. You have to sell your skills using stories based on how you reacted in various difficult situations.
By spending time researching, you will be far better prepared to present yourself well and nail that job interview.
Best of luck!
