Going on a job interview is usually stressful, especially if you don’t have relevant experience, or desperately need a job. So, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and botch your attempt, leaving a negative first impression. Of course, it’s not the end of the world if that happens, everything is a learning experience after all. But, it doesn’t have to go like that, and there are ways how you can really impress your employers. Here we will discuss some of the things you should do in order to prepare for your job interview, and also mention some things you should avoid. 

Learn about the company and job responsibilities

Job postings can be somewhat vague, they tell you about the position and responsibilities, but you might not know how exactly your tasks will look like.

For example, if someone is looking for a content writer, you can’t know whether you are a good fit or not until you know about the specifics of the assignment, even if you are a good writer in general. To that end, it is wise to be well informed and know exactly what the company does. You can find a lot of information online, and even practice before you go to your interview. You will be a lot more confident if you know the basics and can give the answers to some of the job-related questions. 

Prepare your answers in advance

There are certain questions that are bound to come up during any job interview, as they help employers gauge whether you are a good fit. So, you can expect questions like:

• Why do you think you are good for this position?
• What do you feel is your biggest flaw?
• Various what-if questions
• How did you hear about us?
• What do you know about our company? 
• What is your governing passion? 
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Think about how you can answer honestly to these questions and not sound cheesy or just saying what the employer wants to hear. The idea is to show ambition and dedication, to show you are a goal-driven, detail-oriented individual and also aware of your shortcomings. If you show that you came prepared and that you are not just desperate for the job, it will prompt them to hire you.  

Learn how to navigate through surprise questions

Finally, there might be questions that can catch you off guard, which can make you nervous and ruin the experience. So, learn how to calm yourself, and know that you don’t have to answer immediately. It is okay to say: “I have not thought about that to be honest, give me a few moments to think.” Take a deep breath to regain your composure, ponder on the subject, give your answer, and say that it might change in the future. Also, you can say that you currently don’t know the answer to that question, and if you feel that the answer is not integral to the job position, don’t feel obliged to give it.