HOW TO PREPARE FOR A JOB INTERVIEW

You have completed your education, training or course and now looking for a job. You got a call or email for a job interview and need some help that how to prepare yourself for a job interview.

Click here if you want to know How to Prepare a Good CV / Resume

Here, I am sharing my 15 years of experience working in United Arab Emirates, I attend many interviews in different cities of United Arab Emirates and also arrange many interviews during my career. Find below some interview tips.

Click here if you want to know How to Find a Job Without Experience

Click here if you want to know How to Search a Job

1. Make Record of Job Advertisement You Applied

This is important to make a record of that job advertisement you applied for with company name, position, date of posting and your date of apply. Because when you have a call for an interview this record will help you to understand what the employer was looking for e.g. I applied for a job and receive a call after 3 months of my application. I take some time to dig about that job advertisement to prepare according to the employer requirement. I decided that next time I shall make a record of that. So, I can find it easily.

When I look on advertisement the company was looking for someone who has good experience in “ACONEX” a web based document management system.

Even though, I have experience in it but I got some additional information online as well through my close circle of friends.

2. Know about the Employer’s Requirement

After your initial search about job advertisement, if the experience and salary criteria is mentioned in the ad and you agreed with that then its fine to proceed next.

On the other hand, if experience (career level e.g., beginner, mid or senior) and salary range is not mentioned then better to ask (Call or email) before you leave for an interview.

For example, once a manager asked me that he need a Musanada approved Quality Engineer and if I know someone. I contact one engineer in my circle, he informed me about his experience level and salary requirement that if the manager is agreed then he can come for an interview otherwise, no need to waste his time as well the manager’s.

So, its better to be clear on these issues before leaving, maybe you are coming from another city and it involve not only time but money as well.

3. Search about Company & Its History

It’s important to know about the company. Search though the company website and use other sources e.g., if someone working there or you can go to LinkedIn or other social media page to find someone there and seek help.

Know about Company’s reputation, projects, financial status (how they are paying salaries etc..), working environment, if they are offering accommodation then what type of it is, what about their transportation system etc.

4. Travel Arrangements

Be clear about the date, time & place of an interview. Gather the information about transport whether you are using a direct taxi, public transport (Bus, Metro) if yes then route number, bus or train number, timing, nearest station, many public transport systems have special cards to use on their network (like Dubai metro) and it may be that from one city to another you have to use a separate card (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah have their own transport card systems) so the other cities or countries.

Mark interview location in you phone and on a safe side take a print to keep with you incase you are unable to use internet.

Charge your mobile well before leaving and take a Power Bank if possible (depends how far you have to go).

Better to make a check list of items you need during traveling and during interview and arrange everything well before leaving time. Some time we forget even important things while are in hurry. Maybe you forget to take a pen and notice when during interview you need to mark something.

5. Documents

You should have at least three copies of your CV/ Resume, Certificates and other supporting documents you think are helpful.

Sometime you will be asked to bring with you an example of your work. This may be a printed copy or a softcopy as per the requirement.

For example, once I was asked to bring some excel sheets I created during my work for that specific role and during an interview I have to demonstrate how to use formulas in an Excel sheet. So, keep this in mind according to your job role.

6. Review your CV

Review you CV very carefully, the interviewers are asking questions from CV and accordingly you have to respond and any confusion or delay of answer my ruin your confidence.

Names of your institutes, companies, working places, projects, consultants, main contractors, years etc. are the important ones.

7. Dress

I personally will suggest that use the dress which make you more comfortable & confident (off course it will be formal) but don’t try something you are not used to. This will not only make you uncomfortable but unconfident as well, hope you understand my point.

Don’t use strong perfume, body spray or any other fragrance, may be the interviewer is not fan of a strong one and if used it may irritate and you may leave early from there. So, consider on this side as well.

8. Practice for an Interview

Better to ask one of your friends to help you practice like an interview on some common questions & answers. Write down some common question and think about the possible answers from your side, keep in mind that writing is important because in my personal experience once I am writing something, I can memorize it easily. Better to write more than once and practice. Maybe you hear the proverb that “practice makes a man perfect” so, keep practicing to make yourself ready for an important event in your life.

9. Some Common Questions

*Tell me about yourself?

*Tell me about your skills?

*Where you work so far?

*Explain about your job? (e.g., What is LDR, what is LED, what is BMS, Transistor used for what, Difference between WIR & MIR) think about your job related terms & items.

*Why should we hire you?

*What is you contribution in the project?

*What is your expected salary?

Above are the examples to just gave you an idea. The main thing is your involvement in your current job. If you are good in your work and most importantly you love your work then no one can stop you achieving your goals, on the other hand if you are not paying attention to your work wasting time on social media and not learning something new then God knows better.

But I am assuming that you love your profession and maybe this small effort of mine can help you to “Find a Place Where You Can Shine”.