Here’s to congratulate you on your selection for an interview for your dream job. Just like examinations in school, you need to be prepared for interviews so you don’t flop.

It’s important you know what to do so you don’t create the wrong impression on the interviewers.

How to prepare for an interview in Nigeria

Firstly, the applicants are called either called on the phone or videocalls and only those who are successful progress to a one-to-one or a panel interview. It’s important to know how to prepare for an interview so you can get the job.

Know about the company and the job position

You should know the details of the prospective company you’re applying for. Know their expectations, mission, and etiquette. This way, you don’t go off point in your interview journey.

Visit their websites, and read their history, achievements and how they achieved them. Enough information that’ll keep you at an edge in the interview.

Follow their social media platforms and know updates in the company. Information is power.

Anticipate the questions and answer concisely

It’s best you anticipate questions you’ll be asked during the interview. The questions might be in regards to your CV.

You should know the answer to questions like;

• What do you know about this industry?
• Five words that best describe you
• Explain one of your experiences in this line of work.

Questions about yourself would be the major highlight of the day.

So creatively draft out answers to questions about yourself you could be asked. Be able to explain one or two of your experiences in the field. This way you validate the contents of your CV.

Practice these questions with your friends or family and see how best, confident, and fluent you are in answering.

You can also watch videos on how to answer interview questions.

There’s always room to ask smart questions. Questions like ‘How to succeed in your company and qualities successful employees in the company have, the vision and goals of the company, etc.’ can be asked.

Choose the right outfit

A day or night before the interview date, it’s best you arrange your outfit. Your dressing passes a message at first sight. Dressing smart and neat grants you attention from the interviewers. It also adds some respect and prestige.

If you’re confused on what to wear, you can ask someone already in the company or even the hiring manager for their dress code.

You can also take notice from their posts on social media. Remember, you should dress how you’ll want to be addressed.

Get the necessary document and stationaries

Your birth certificate, exam certificates, application letter, and past and recent awards for your working experience. Organize them in a file so you don’t look disorganized on your interview day.

Your CV should be up-to-date and comprehensive. If you were referred to a particular person or location, have the actual details. You should have your pen and notes handy.

Get your recognizable identification card.

Be early to the interview venue

Once you’re early to an occasion, there are no chances of you missing the meals served. This applies to every area of life. There’s always a benefit to being early.

In the case of interviews, it’s advised you arrive early. This creates an impression on the interviewers. You won’t want to create a negative one

Just arriving early can guarantee you the job already. Work with your clock so you’ll be notified of the time at intervals.

Have the right attitude toward your interviewers

We all know some body language and words can be insulting. Remember you’re seeking a job and you won’t want to lose such an opportunity. Smile always and maintain eye-contacts with the interviewers.

Before and after the interview, handshake your interviewers. Politely but confidently state your achievements and skills. This way, you have a 100% chance of getting the job.

Calm your nerves

There are always tendencies of getting nervous while being questioned in an interview. You can forget things that you probably know the answers.

So this is why you should avoid being nervous so you won’t be tagged as inattentive or unserious.

Here are some solutions to calming your nerves when they get all excited. Firstly, you should have learned about the question patterns in an interview.

You should also exercise as it helps burn off negative energy and improves your wellbeing.

Don’t be in a haste to answer difficult questions.

Pause and think, ask for repetition of the question, and remind yourself of what not answering would result to. You can use the gents or the ladies before the interview.

Avoid answering questions hastily and speaking quickly. Psychology also suggests you think about some happy experiences before the interview.

This would help out in calming your nerves.

In conclusion, at the end of the interview, offer a vote of thanks of how grateful you are to be interviewed. Appreciate them in thanks through calls or emails.

You’re in high chances of getting the job.