Due to the global financial crises, there has been a rise in unemployment figures and even previously employed people are being laid off. Despite the fact that some Nigerian banks have placed an embargo on employment for sometime and some others are laying off staff, many banks and other institutions are still hiring so there’s big hope for you.
However, the competition for jobs is fiercer now and you need to distinguish yourself from other applicants. A young man by the name Chima, I interacted with expressed his frustration at Juicy jobs he missed. He is highly skilled and very intelligent but he was weak in one area- interviews. He identified his weakness and settled it and today he has been offered a position with Stanbic Bank. I see a lot of job seekers putting all their energy into preparing for Aptitude tests; that is ok but the problem is that they fail to put that same level of enthusiasm in preparing for their interviews. So they get invited to lots of interviews, they perform poorly and most times other applicants less qualified and less skillful than they are, walk home with the job only because of better interview skills. I have outlined 11 tips below for preparing for Job interviews; I hope you find it useful.

11 Tips on Preparing for an Interview

1. Research-Do your homework

Research the company beforehand so that you can showcase that knowledge during the interview. This will boost your credibility with the interviewer and will help you to anticipate intelligent answers to the questions you may be asked. Information about the organization’s basic products and services and even top management should be at your fingertips. I advise those going for Management positions to go a step further in wowing their interviewers with facts and figures of the competition or a rival company. Interviewers are often favorably impressed by candidates who show that they are knowledgeable about the organization.

2. Know the Interview venue:

I find it very funny when job seekers who claim they will do anything to land a job, turn up late for an interview. That’s a minus. A student that turns up late for an exam has reduced his chances. The same goes for an applicant. Lateness sometimes results from not knowing the Interview venue beforehand.
Make sure to find out where the office is and how to get there. Do you know how long the trip will take and the mode of transportation that will be most convenient and fastest? It will be ridiculous if you turn up at the interview venue sweating and panting. This will send the wrong signals. You will look unorganized. Save yourself time and unnecessary stress by knowing these things before heading to the interview.

3. Dress the Job

Even if you have been looking for a job for 5 years and you are broke, don’t dress it. Nobody will give you a job out of sympathy. You don’t have to wear designer suits but you can still look neat and tidy without spending much. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 2nd hand or borrowed suit and tie or shirts. Your clothing should be neat, pressed, and professional looking. Look at your mirror and ask other people how you look. Your dressing can boost your confidence and even affect your response to questions and challenges placed before you.
As it can be difficult to know the culture of the office environment beforehand, if you must err, err on the side of conservative.
Even if everyone’s wearing jeans when you arrive, you’re still probably better off having shown up in a suit. However, don’t be afraid to inject some personality into your look, and don’t neglect the details. Make sure to have a fresh haircut and clean, manicured nails. As a consultant, I almost always assume that anyone that shows up for a job with dirty finger nails and untidy hair is an untidy person who will spoil my business image for me or that of my clients. The saying remains true, you dress the way you want to be addressed. For the ladies, a skirt or trouser suit is usually adequate but you can also come up with other creative stuff. Please don’t dress too outlandishly. Be moderate with the make-up. On the other hand, please don’t tie a scarf even if your religion requires that. You can always wear your scarf at home or in your place of worship. Also dressing seductively might not help your case.

4. Rehearse beforehand:
Prior to your interview, prepare answers to common questions the interviewer is likely to ask, such as
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Why should we hire you instead of the other Applicants?
Why do you want to work here?
Tell me about yourself. You may want to conduct a mock interview with a trusted friend as practice.

5. Secure your references
Find at least three key people —lectures, former supervisors, instructors, mostly respected professionals — who are willing to serve as your professional references. Don’t assume anything.
Be sure to secure their permission beforehand, and be certain that they will speak highly of you if contacted by a potential employer. In some funny instances, prospective employees have called references for some applicants and they had problems identifying the individuals that used their names for reference. Also from experience; I normally advise that not more than one of your references should bear the same surname as you do.

6. No African Time-Arrive early

Yes! It’s true that the company you want to work for is in Africa but realize that many organizations now are pushing for global standards. If you want to arrive for the job interview as late as you arrive for your Village Age grade meeting, you may be doing yourself a disservice.
Be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before the interview. Visit the restroom, if there’s any and check your appearance in the mirror. Most ladies will carry a pocket mirror in their handbags. This can also help but a full length mirror is better to have an overall view of yourself. Announce yourself to the receptionist to let him or her know that you have arrived and that you have an appointment.

7. Put off your phone:
I don’t mind people answering their phone calls in the middle of a conversation but it looks quite disrespectful, if you have to pause your interview every now and then to receive a call from your neighbor or roommate who wants to know where you dropped the room keys or whether he can finish off the left over rice. Even if you have beautiful polyphonic ring tones, PUT OFF YOUR PHONE. Don’t put it in vibrate mode. You could be jolted and your thought process interrupted by your phone vibrations. This can be destabilizing.

8. Bring all Qualification papers and recommendations:

Don’t bring only documentations you think are necessary. Bring ALL. You never can tell what will be required. Also, if you have been given a written recommendation from your former place of work or institution, bring it along. Make a checklist of documents that you will need for the interview, and make sure that you have them in your briefcase or file before leaving home.
These papers will likely include extra copies of your résumé, WASSCE/NECO certificate, university certificate, passport, driver’s license, or portfolio of writing samples or other professional work.

9. Sell yourself.
The interview is your chance to impress your prospective employer. Without sounding unnecessarily arrogant, sell yourself. Develop a sales pitch that sings your praises
It should include your strengths, your abilities, past triumphs and records achieved and what sets you uniquely apart from other applicants.

10. Ask questions
Ask intelligent questions guided by your research and previous knowledge of the company.
The questions should not be stuff like how much you are going to be paid and what the company can do for you. You will fare better if you focus on what you can do for the company and what will be required of you in your new job, if you are accepted, and how the responsibilities of the open position relate to the company’s long term goals and plans for the future.

11. Follow up:
Over 85% of Nigerian job seekers never follow up. You might discover that this will be the final ace you hold over other applicants. Don’t be afraid to follow up but be careful so your interviewer does not feel pestered. After the interview, don’t forget to send a handwritten note or friendly email thanking the interviewer for his or her time and consideration, as well as restating your interest and commitment to the position. If you don’t hear anything after one week, call to politely inquire when they will be making a final decision.
Finally, your aims of going for the interview is to land the job but even if you don’t, don’t be depressed. Every Interview is an opportunity to learn and sharpen your skills. If you miss this particular job, you will be much prepared for the next job interview. It may also be helpful if you ask the company the reason you are not taken to help you prevent rejection in your next interview. They may not tell you but some companies that have an open policy might tell you.
Keep hope alive!

ND