Job seekers are never quite sure what to do with that time – but experts suggest that you look in a mirror, take deep breaths, and do whatever else it takes to get focused and stay calm.
Reading can be just as important as dressing to the nines or practicing your firmest handshake when you’re gearing up for a job interview. When the stakes are sky-high and your eye is on that corner office, picking up a book might feel irresponsible. Reckless. Maybe even dumb.
But, good news, readers: I’m here to report that spending time with text that’s not your resume or your potential employer’s website could be the key to you landing that dream job.
Studies have linked reading to improved memory and brain functioning, longer life expectancy rates, and better self-reflection skills. But there’s also evidence that reading helps us reduce stress — and when is stress higher than before a job interview?
So the next time you’re interviewing for a major gig, take out your earbuds, skip the treadmill, and spend your prep time with these.
Your CV:
Know your CV, inside and out. Know everything there is to know about you. If someone asks you what you did at a job between a set of given dates- your verbal answer must match up with what you have on your CV.
The Office Culture:
Understanding, or at least showing that you have tried to understand the companies culture, their ethos, what they are about is a good start to any interview. A lot of this can be found by looking at the company and employee social media profiles.
The Job Description:
Making sure that you are fully aware of the duties and responsibilities involved in the role is crucial. If you have never had any experience with Microsoft Excel and this role has a lot of work with Microsoft Excel- something to bring up in the interview is that you feel you need more training with Microsoft Excel and that you are attempting to learn at home so that you are better equipped for the role?
The Weather Reports:
Always check the weather forecast. If it’s going to be pouring down with rain make sure you bring an umbrella, likewise if it’s set to be scorching hot make sure you take some deodorant and a bottle of water. Being prepared is key in any role, and making sure that the weather doesn’t affect your interview or the way you present yourself is critical to you getting that job.
Announcements about Transport:
Check the train times! All companies that are interviewing candidates cannot express enough how annoying it is for an interview to be late. It is rude, it is disrespectful and a big slap in the face to your interviewer. There is no excuse for being late.
Research the place you are about to Visit:
Make sure you know exactly where you are going. If you don’t you run the risk of being late, turning up flustered, and just appearing unprofessional. Google map the postcode before you go, call up and ask what the best way to get to their office is. Don’t wing it and expect you will just find your way because you might not!
Just remember, you’ve worked hard to make it into the interview. Now it’s time for the big show, and reading these notes will help you feel good about it both before and after. And when you get home, don’t forget to send a thank-you note to the people who were asking you all those tricky questions.
