Be it 2002 or 2020, preparing for a job interview could be daunting for most while delightful for only a handful. We are living in a post-pandemic economy where we observed a rise in the unemployment rate in the past few months and this spells a multitude of outcomes for affected industries. Vacancies that were once hot are now frozen until further notice; seemingly stable jobs are now threatened, forcing its workers to seek alternative sources of income to maintain their lifestyles or unfortunately for some, to survive.
Nevertheless, employers are now having deep thoughts on office spaces, work from home policies and redundancies in existing jobs. This could still be interesting times for jobseekers as the playing field is uncertain now and it is up to your creativity to navigate your way and chart your career path moving forward. We will be exploring timeless tips on preparing for job interviews and touch a little on remote interviews as this methodology saw a sharp spike as in-person meetings are still limited.
1. Resume Review
Keep your documentation updated. Achieved a milestone in your current workplace? Make it a point to insert that into your resume. Have a look at it from time to time to see if all the relevant information you would like your future employer to know is all there. Refrain from copy-pasting your job description and put in a little effort in tweaking the sentences to make it more enticing to read. Are you tired of the current formats offered by Microsoft Word? Try Canva! Looking for inspiration but unsure of what to search on Google Image? Go into a spiral at 123RF and look at stunning photos. It might help spark creativity!
2. Social Media Housekeeping
Hiring managers are taking the time of day to go through a candidates’ social media accounts as part of the vetting process. An easy way is just to maintain your privacy settings if it is public or better yet, just have a clean and friendly profile from the get-go. Be wary of participating in comments because a single negative sharing can greatly impact your clout as you will give the impression of being affiliated with controversy even when you truly don’t condone such behaviour in reality.
3. How Do You Look On A Webcam?
If the interview calls for a virtual meeting, always test your Internet connectivity. Now that the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) has been introduced, you can even set the meeting in coworking spaces if your own home is not conducive. Your house could be a host of distractions from roadside noises, arguing siblings or even cooking sounds from the kitchen. Ensure your background is clean and your surroundings well-lit. Familiarise yourself with the interview platform and remember to log in ahead of the interview time (if allowed) so you will not have to fumble getting ready.
4. Dress The Part
Always feel comfortable in what you are wearing. This will translate into a better state of mind and you will then be able to focus on the interview at hand. It is interesting to note that even Anna Wintour, current Editor-In-Chief of American Vogue and Artistic Director of Condé Nast who is a key person in the fashion world has this (fast forward to minute 1:55) to say about dressing for an interview. “We are not hiring your wardrobe – it’s who you are,” said Anna Wintour. It is highly applicable worldwide to look great and feel great when appearing for interviews. It would also be best to put on a full outfit even if you are at home because you will never know if you might be required to stand up and adjust something in the background and the last thing the interviewer might want to see are your bottom half’s undergarments.
5. Read The News & Read About The Company
Keep up with the headlines of the day. Read the local news sites. Read up on what is happening in the industry of the company you are applying for. There is so much importance in knowing more than you should because it is always great to be over-prepared than under. Reading materials that you have skimmed through could provide fodder for conversations later on when the interviewer asks if there are any questions to be asked.
If you are on this page right now, wishing you all the best in your endeavours. These are truly trying yet interesting times for all. It is always good to be prepared but always remember – the time you take to find your passion is truly worth it. Explore new horizons and discover hidden talents. Perhaps curiosity did not kill the cat; it just made it a very popular animal on the Internet.
