Mastering the Interview Process : Preparing, Performing, and Post-Interview Strategies

１. ＰＲＥ-ＩＮＴＥＲＶＩＥＷ ＳＴＡＧＥ
𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙮: Understand the company’s mission, values, culture, and recent developments. Familiarize yourself with the industry and the company’s position within it.
𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙅𝙤𝙗 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: Analyze the job listing to identify key skills/experiences required. Tailor your responses to demonstrate how your background aligns with these requirements.
𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘼𝙣𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨: Practice responses to common interview questions, especially those that focus on your experiences, skills, and professional achievements. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙅𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮: If the interview is in-person, plan your route and transportation. Aim to arrive 10–15 minutes early.
𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮: Choose professional attire that fits the company culture. When in doubt, it’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.
𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝘼𝙨𝙠: Have a list of questions about the role, team, company culture, or future projects. This shows your interest and engagement.

２. ＯＮＧＯＩＮＧ ＩＮＴＥＲＶＩＥＷ ＳＴＡＧＥ
𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩: Offer a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, and greet your interviewers with a smile.
𝘽𝙚 𝘼𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙙: Listen carefully to the questions asked. If you need clarification, it’s okay to ask.
𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝘾𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮: Answer questions concisely and clearly. Avoid filler words and stay on topic.
𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙖𝙨𝙢: Express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Employers want to hire candidates who are genuinely interested.
𝘽𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙜𝙚: Be mindful of your body language. Sit up straight, maintain good eye contact, and avoid negative body language like crossing your arms.
𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙮: If you don’t know an answer, it’s better to be honest than to guess. You can explain how you would find the answer or solve the problem.

３. ＰＯＳＴ-ＩＮＴＥＲＶＩＥＷ ＳＴＡＧＥ
𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠-𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙚: Within 24 hours of the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position.
𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬: Note what went well and areas for improvement. This reflection can be useful for future interviews.
𝙁𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙐𝙥: If you haven’t heard back within the timeframe provided, it’s appropriate to send a polite follow-up email inquiring about the status.
𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙: Continue preparing for other opportunities and interviews. Regardless of the outcome, each interview is a valuable learning experience.

All the Best for all future interview(s) 😊