Published: November 9, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson

Preparing for a job interview can be a stressful process. But it doesn’t have to be! With a little planning, your job interview preparation will be low-stress and actually help you when you’re sitting in front of a potential employer. So, what does good job interview preparation look like? Read on!

1. Gather work samples. It is always good to have sample work to show an employer. If you don’t have any professional experience, classwork is also acceptable. Select pieces that relate to the position you are pursuing. Put everything together in a nice, professional binder.
2. Choose your outfit. How you dress is important for a first impression. Select clothing that is professional and appropriate for the work environment. It is always better to choose conservative clothing. If you are between two outfits, choose the more conservative option. It is best to avoid anything flashy or potentially distracting.
3. Practice answering interview questions. The iSchool offers a very useful program called Big Interview, where you can record yourself answering common interview questions. This way, you can hear yourself speak and learn if you are speaking too fast or answering in a confusing manner. You’ll be much more prepared for the tough questions after a little practice.
4. Research your potential employer. Make sure to do some Googling to fully understand where you are interviewing. You want to know as much about the organization as possible when you walk into the interview. If the interviewer sees that you haven’t done your research, he or she may think you aren’t truly interested in the position.
5. Come up with questions. Every interview ends in the same way: “Do you have any questions?” It’s never good to have no questions. While you are researching the company, take note of any questions that arise. These are great to ask, as well as more general questions about daily activities or responsibilities. Have these questions memorized and ready to go for your interview.
6. Plan your day. This step is more important than it seems. Ensure you are waking up early enough to have a good breakfast and arrive a bit early. Check how long it takes to get to your interview long before the day of. If you are taking public transportation, you’ll want to leave even earlier to make sure you arrive in time. Be sure you have enough time to have a relaxed commute so you arrive calm.
7. Relax. Getting too stressed out about a job interview is never good. The more stressed out you are, the more nervous you will get, and that could show to your potential employer. Make sure you relax the night before and get a good night’s sleep. You want to go into your interview calm and confident.

How do you prepare for an interview? Share in the comments!

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