How to prepare for a job interview in this New Digital Age
- Petronella Mphahlele
- May 16, 2019
- 5 min read
For Entry level jobs & Personal Development
Do not Be A Stalker -Only Google the company’s public details
Do not answer the questions, have a conversation with the hiring manager instead
Know your Job description
Be Authentic & Realistic when you sell yourself
Pre-prepare taxi/bus/car routes
Check your Online Reputation
Print your CV
Take initiative
Save company’s telephone number
Have Questions
How to prepare for a job interview in the New Digital Age
Being on the Job Search is hard, once you get that Interview make sure the job is yours….This article is to help you with behavioral interview questions, job interview preparation & self development. Remember you don’t just want to be a good candidate, you want to be a great employee.
1.Do not Be A Stalker -Only Google the company’s public details
So you have heard it all- Research Research Research………. Let me tell you what you do not have to waste your time on; You do not need to know the organogram, no need to know who is head of every department or sometimes CEO (chances are you will never even meet the CEO, depending on the size of the company)
Granted, chances are higher when it is a smaller company with 20-50 personnel, you might meet the CEO/Founder, they might even be in the interview. In that case the name will come easier. However there is no need to know who the head of departments/ what the CEO studied and/or qualified in- you are not being interviewed to be a compliance officer!
I have worked for six companies and only met a CEO once, worked in the same office and you would swear I was part of furniture- he never acknowledged me…they never do, unless you work directly under them.
For you to be successful in your job -it should never be reliant on the name of the CEO. You do not need to research the interviewer/ Hiring Managers’ social media, LinkedIn is the only employment-oriented service that you should use. You will have enough time as an employee to learn everything about your company, that is why they will induct you.
Image from Professor Beekums
2. Do not answer the question, have a conversation with the hiring manager instead
Breath…… Be in the moment……Realise where you are……See the people interviewing you…….Be in the moment. Anticipate common interview questions, you can get a list of them here Do not cram the answers, expect them and be in the moment & honest when responding the questions. https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/27-most-common-job-interview-questions-and-answers.html -on this link you will find the potential- common job interview questions.
This will allow you NOT to be a robot that just answers questions asked in a systematic manner- like Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Terminator Movie…..Cummon Now- You know you are better than that…….right?
Gif from tenor.com
3. Know your Job description
You have to know what the job entails, what is expected of you, what you will be doing on a daily basis at your job. This will allow you to blend your personality, skills and experience into the job offer, to make sure you are a good fit to the job.
4. Be Authentic & Realistic when you sell yourself
Strengths and Weaknesses
Do not be afraid to show your personality and true self in a professional way- If they wanted a unicorn, they would still be searching…..Your potential employer just wants to find out if you will fit in with the company culture-your greatest weaknesses should be put in a positive spin-“Being a perfectionist is one weakness that has a positive spin” Find more on strengths and weaknesses https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/greatest-strengths-and-weaknesses
Goals and Dreams
You cannot be caught off guard about your goals and dreams. Your goals should not be exaggerated just so you can look important- if your goals are that you want to buy a sleeper couch in five months- let that be- No dream or goal is invalid-Once you are genuine it becomes easy to be authentic.
These goals and dreams should be imbedded in you all the time- Where do you see yourself in five years ? What are your short/long term goals?
If you have no answers to these questions, then you should not be on a job hunt.
image from Gigantic Action
5. Pre-prepare taxi/bus/car routes
Taxi & Bus
We all know of someone who regularly uses taxis and busses – formally known as public transport in South Africa. So first thing I used to do was to ask the working class if they know of this address? Next step is to ask them where I would get the taxi, where I should get off and how I should commence. When I got to the taxi I would ask again-to the driver -loud enough- so the passengers can also hear, so that if the driver does not know the address, a passenger might know and decide to help ( this happened to me- *True story) As you know Johannesburg has the friendliest people in South Africa (No shade) so please speak up and be heard. Find out how much the taxi/bus fare is, have enough money, make sure your money is in loose change – (You don’t want a taxi driver, telling you where to get off!)
Private Car/ Uber / Taxify
The wonders of technology prevail yet again- All you do is to navigate using Waze / Google Maps – on a day before your interview day. You check how long it will take you to the interview address, please mind the time that you are navigating- and note traffic peak hours of the day (e.g 7am – 9am & 16:00 – 18:00 are high traffic hours in JHB) So please put in an extra 30 minutes to your travel plans. Also check alternative routes you can use instead of busy routes. Make sure you have enough petrol.
Once you planned your routes, Know when to wake up. Know when to bath and Know when to leave the house.
6. Check your Online Reputation
Google your name………..check all links that come with the results…..thank you…next
7. Print your CV
Print is not entirely dead……sometimes it is good to reference your CV & Cover Letter when everyone has a copy in front of them- print x5 copies, give to everyone in interview room after you shake their hands. Make sure the CV copies are in a portable “cute”- (for someone like me) or professional looking pouch/file to be safe.
8. Take initiative
Don’t be a puppet, if no one is standing up to shake your hands, it does not mean you should not. Greet people as you pass their desks, ask where you should seat, make small talk- back to our Point 2– DO NOT BE A ROBOT…..
Image from memegenerator.net
9. Save company’s telephone number
You might need to call the receptionist/ contact person to ask for further directions, if you get lost and also life does not always go as planned, do not loose your senses or freeze- simply call the company, leave your name and appointment time and advise that you will be late, people are more understanding than we give them credit for- This also goes back to Point 8- Take initiative
10. Have Questions
Always ask questions at the end of your interview- it shows your interest, initiative, focus and commitment- Ask about the work environment, ask why they are hiring a new person for this role, are they replacing or expanding, when should you expect to hear back from them, and most importantly when can you start?
Remember You are Selling Yourself, and Not buying the Company- make sure you are in good shape, don’t just polish your knowledge of the company- And that what you think about you is important, make sure it is always positive.
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