How to Prepare for Your First Interview

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably got your first interview coming up, or you’re anticipating being shortlisted for one. In either case, congratulations!The thought of going in for your first interview can be a daunting one. Nervousness is normal. But the key to a successful interview experience lies in the preparation you do for it ahead of time. Here are four things to remember and practice before your first interview.

1. Do your research

Once you get the call to appear for an interview, it is a sign that you are being seriously considered for the position. The company’s ‘About Us’ page on their website is a great place to start.You can also create a news alert on Google that sends you mentions of the company in the news.

What to research

Thorough research is a sign of how motivated you are to get the job and shows conscientiousness. It also helps you prepare for questions you can ask the interviewer or the panel during the interview. Arm yourself with information on:

1. The organization: Read up on its history, market share, and the values the company stands for. Look for trends and data points that are impacting the industry in which the organization operates. Check to see if they have won any awards. Have they been in the news for any reason? Look up any special initiatives and charities that the organization supports. Newspaper, business magazines, and even analyst reports are good sources of information on trends that are impacting the industry and how organizations are dealing with it.

2. The panel: If you know ahead of time who the interviewers are going to be, then you can check their profile and public posts on social media. See the kind of experiences they have had in their career. Remember that since you may have little or no career experience, this could make an interesting topic for conversation during the interview. Finding common ground can help build rapport especially when there is only one interviewer.

3. Employees or alumni: In a connected world, the employees and alumni are the brand ambassadors of any organization. They provide you with an insider’s view of an organization’s culture. They can tell you how the organization likes to celebrate success, the level of formality in the office and even the dress code.

2. Prepare questions you can ask

This is your chance to shine. The questions you ask the panel can reveal how motivated and committed you are about the job. Asking about the turnover of the organization tells the interviewer that you have not done your homework because that information is usually available online. If the company is involved in a very high-profile and controversial case in the media, it is best to avoid that topic – or it can come across as being gossipy.A fast food manufacturing giant was in the news a few years back about alleged contamination of their product. While in conversation with the head of that unit, I asked him how he would react to a candidate asking questions about the case that is under litigation. “If the question reveals idle curiosity and seeking gossip, it shows the candidate in poor light. But if the candidate asks a question about how we intend to overcome the issue, what we plan to do to redeem ourselves, or about the future sales strategy backed up by one or two key statistics, it can be a trigger for a great conversation.”

Trying to smile a little as you answer the questions will go a long way. It conveys to the interviewer that you are self-assured and confident. When people smile too much, it conveys the impression of being frivolous.

Here are some questions you could ask:

• The newspapers mentioned recently that you are looking to create a joint venture with XXX firm. What are the steps you are planning to integrate the two cultures?

• The company has been a pioneer in XX technology. What opportunities do the current employees have to learn new skills?

• Does the company encourage people like me to work on client facing roles? (if that is what you wish to do someday)

• What in your opinion are the most important qualities for this job?

• What are some of the challenges that this department is facing right now?

3. Practice Interviewing

If your school or university doesn’t have opportunities to practice mock interviews, here are some steps you can take:

1. Ask your Placement Committee or a professor to organize mock interviews and give you feedback.

2. Check if any of your alumni work there. They may give you a good idea of any tricky interview questions to expect in your first interview.

3. Write down questions you might be asked, practice answers, and record yourself. Play it back and see what you could have done better. Then, ask someone whose opinion you trust to review the recording and offer you suggestions.

4. Plan the day

When you are calm and relaxed it enables you to give your best. Plan your day in advance so you’re not scrambling on the day of the interview and stressing over things that could have been taken care of previously.Use these tips.

1. The night before your first interview, don’t experiment with food (lest you are sick the next morning) and get enough sleep. Being well-rested helps you give your best.

2. Choose what you will wear for the interview. Iron your clothes and have them laid out.

3. Check the distance from where you’ll start to the venue around the time you need to leave the next day. That will give you an idea of the kind of traffic to expect.

4. On the day of the interview, do whatever works for you to calm down. I find meditation and yoga make me feel relaxed. Avoid caffeine if that gets you pumped up.

5. Aim to reach the venue 15 – 20 minutes ahead of your scheduled time as this will give you some time to take a few deep breaths and relax. Prepare well using the points, and ensure you get a good night’s rest before the day of your interview. Be composed and have confidence in yourself.

Good luck!First published by HBR Ascend on Jan 18, 2019