If you are granted a job interview, it means that potential employers have read your cover letter and CV, and find that your qualifications and experience match their requirements.  So, you are now a step closer to being employed.

Job interviews are an opportunity for you to demonstrate your abilities in front of the employers.  So you should make good use of this chance to tell the employers that you are the right candidate for the job.

There are areas you have to prepare before you attend the interview:

Know the company

Remember that you are applying for a job at the company.  In job interviews, employers would test your knowledge not only about the industry but also about the company.  So you have to know more about the company such as the history, mission, vision, business, branches, partners, etc.  Look for reliable information on the Internet or from published journals or annual reports of the company. 

Prepare for a self-introduction

In job interviews, employers would like to know more about you and may ask you to introduce yourself.  Prepare a three-minute self-introduction in both Putonghua and English.  In the introduction, tell the employer your qualifications, experience and interests that should be related to the job you are applying for.

Questions

Think of two types of questions you need to prepare.  First, questions employers would ask you in the interview, and second, those you may ask the employer in the interview.  For questions employers may ask you, you should prepare for the answers beforehand because during the interview, you may be too nervous to think of a complete answer.  For the second type of questions, think of about three which are meaningful to ask to show that you are really interested in working for the company.

Updated CV

Even if you have already sent your CV to the employer, you should review your CV again and prepare a hard copy to bring it with you to the interview.  It is because before you meet the HR / employer, you may need to fill in a job application form and so the CV can help you with all the factual information.

Your portfolio

If the company expects you to bring your work portfolio to the job interview, you have to spend some time to update your portfolio.  Bring the works that match the job requirements.  Also, remember to bring your certificates and other documents that demonstrate your qualifications and professional knowledge.

Written by: Anita Cheng

21 February 2013

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