By Boqian Wang

Interviews are an essential part of the job application process and largely assist candidates in demonstrating their abilities, strengths and suitability for the position. However, preparing for an interview can be a challenging and stressful process.

This article offers some advice on how to prepare for an interview:

• Prepare the necessary materials for the interview in advance, for instance, your CV and personal statement.
• Learn about the company/ organisation/ institution and the position you are applying for. You can browse the their official website for information about their history, aim, position in the sector, their operational or business developments, as well as their main values. 
• It is a good idea to do some research about the whole industry, regarding the policy, market trend as well as the social environment. 
• Prepare for frequently Asked Questions. 

• You can prepare a self-presentation, which can be around 1-2 minutes, introducing your professional background, strengths and weaknesses, and summarising your uniqueness, so that the interviewer can quickly remember you. The aim of the self-introduction is to stress that you are well suited to the position you are applying for.
• Prepare answers to questions related to practical experience in advance. For instance: “What problem-solving experiences have you had?”. You can prepare a statement based on this question by exploring your own experiences in advance. For example, what did you experience during your schooling/ previous job, and what did you learn from it? You can pick more than one event to describe separately or focus on one particular event. Sort out the highlights of a project experience in the form of “cause – dilemma – development – outcome”. Show the interviewer your own strengths and abilities.
• Demonstrate your career plan by stating the time, field and outcomes, show your desired development path and let the interviewer wonder if the company has such development opportunities to offer.
• ‘What are your expectations and goals for the job?’ You should demonstrate the training opportunities this job brings you, the chance you can improve your abilities, and what you hope to achieve.
• Talk about the impact your previous job had on you.’ This can be in terms of the main job content, the knowledge and competencies required, the results of your work and the summary reflections that provoke you to think about the future.
• ‘What are your hobbies?’ Preferably chosen in relation to the characteristics of the job applied for.
• ‘What are the foreseeable difficulties you have with this work?’ State the attitude held towards difficulties – it is inevitable that some difficulties will arise in the workplace, the key is the attitude to face them and to solve them. Assume one or two difficulties you might encounter in this work, and remember to give solutions.

• Prepare some questions that you will ask the employer. For example, the company/ organisation/ institution’s plans for the future; how it will be profitable; how it will operate, the promotion system; when it will be notified of the interview results, and what areas you still need to strengthen.
• Don’t get too nervous before the interview. Learn to cope with the stress. Get a good rest the day before, to ensure good physical strength.
• Be aware of the dress code of the company/ organisation/ institution you are applying to and prepare your wear for the interview in accordance with their requirements.
• Allow sufficient preparation time and start preparing for the interview well in advance.

In general, it is understandable and normal to feel nervous and stressed in preparation for an interview. However, it is important not to put too much pressure on yourself, and just be confident. Do your best to present yourself.