As part of your job interview prep, research the company, the position for which you are applying and its salary range.
Preparation is often the key to success. This is particularly true when gearing up for job interviews. To better prepare for your interview, make sure you have a clear understanding of the job description and the expectations for the role. It’s acceptable to ask for more information about the position before the interview. This is also a good opportunity to ask about the interview format since there are a variety of formats used in many countries. This is an accepted practice, and you can ask questions such as:
- Who am I going to be meeting with?
- What type of interview is it?
- Can you provide me with some guidance on how to prepare for the interview?
- Is there anything other than my CV I should bring to my interview (e.g., diplomas, certifications)?
It’s also essential to research the employer thoroughly — the vision, mission, goals, products and services. In addition to the employer website, check news feeds, blogs, social media and local news media for information on the employer, the organization’s background and ethos, key persons and industry developments.
…research the employer thoroughly…
Lack of knowledge about the employer can set the wrong tone for the rest of the interview and result in you not getting the job. Many interviewers get frustrated if it’s obvious that the candidate knows nothing or very little about the organization.
Also be prepared to discuss the industry, including major players and competitors. Display your knowledge of the country’s, region’s or city’s market as it relates to the specific field. Mention your accomplishments as well as the numbers gleaned from your research to show your understanding of the job criteria. It’s fine to ask the interviewer about topics encountered in the media as long as they’re relevant to the job.
Re-read and, if necessary, revise your CV and cover letter to best fit the job description, as well as update and clean up your Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media profiles. Many employers use social media to get more information about applicants, so review your posts wisely, especially photos.
Knowing Local Details Matters
If you are interviewing for a position outside of your home country, make sure to research local customs and traditions. For example, at some workplaces in Turkey, refreshments such as hot tea and Turkish coffee are offered, and it’s polite to participate in these traditions since they are part of Turkish heritage. Also, Turkish culture greatly respects elders, who are regarded as wise and knowledgeable, so it’s expected that they will be given great respect no matter what position they hold with the organization.
While fluency in a foreign language is generally not expected unless it’s required for the job, it’s a good idea to know basic terms relevant to the job. Showing a willingness to learn the language is always an interviewing advantage.
Practicing is Part of Preparation
It’s a good idea to practice answering possible interview questions or describing case scenarios in front of a mirror or doing mock interviews with a friend or mentor.
When answering questions, think about your strengths, why you want this job and what would make you a good fit for this position with this employer. For questions about your strengths and weaknesses, be ready to offer examples and describe how you’re trying to improve rather than just giving a list of weaknesses with no further explanation. Prepare short case scenarios or career stories from your previous experiences that are relevant to the position.
Have Your Questions Ready
Also be sure to create a list of questions for the interviewer(s), which will show that you’ve done your homework. Examples of the sorts of questions you could ask:
- What are the main short and long-term goals for your organization/department? What could I do to help you reach them?
- How would you describe the company culture?
- How will I be trained?
- Can you tell me something about the team I’d be working with?
- How will my performance be measured?
- What would a typical day in this job be like?
Be ready for any special skills tests. These types of tests can be done online, at a testing center or directly at the organization’s premises. Some tests are timed but some are not, so on the day of the test, make sure you have plenty of time to complete the test and not feel rushed. Occasionally, depending on the type of test, practice tests can be found online. Although tests are usually part of a separate process, in some cases the testing is done right before or right after the interview.
Eliminate Stress – Arrive Early or On Time
Being on time is essential to a successful interview. If you’re driving, make sure to give yourself plenty of time for unforeseen issues, like traffic jams. If you are participating in a virtual interview, give yourself plenty of time in case of technological issues. Make sure to plan your itinerary beforehand and to allow a generous time frame to account for any unforeseen delays.
Explore Salary Guidelines
Finally, although it’s not usual for an interviewer to bring up salary during a first interview, make sure to do some research and be prepared with a response in case they do. Many job descriptions include the salary range, and, when searching job boards, you can often filter postings by salary. This can help you in later negotiations over the compensation package. If you are unable to find enough information regarding the salary band for certain positions, ask the hiring manager or recruiter. You can also conduct informational interviews with contacts in the company or someone who holds the same position elsewhere. Search salary comparison websites, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook or visit the websites of industry organizations, staffing agencies and recruiters; they often provide salary guides and calculators.
Keep in mind that salary ranges represent guidelines and are only a starting point for salary discussions. Compensation packages depend on many factors, such as company size, location, the benefits included in the package and your experience and skills. Employers are not required to pay a salary within the typical salary range.
Remember that the interviewing process will vary from one employer to another, and the timeline will depend on how urgently the position needs to be filled. Positions advertised as immediate openings will have much shorter timelines (a matter of weeks) while non-urgent positions can take a few months. Be patient, and prepared.
Use GoinGlobal to Prepare
GoinGlobal has reliable and current career and employment resources for the US and over 70 other countries. Contact the career staff at your college or university for support in interviewing and using GoinGlobal.*
- Research employers using our Employer Directory
- Explore interviewing culture by country using our Country Guides
*Access to GoinGlobal’s resource database is provided through subscribing institutions. Contact your college/university’s career center or library for access instructions.
