If you have recently received an invitation for an interview, congratulations on getting through the major final step in an application process. While you might want to celebrate and breathe a sigh of relief, the interview process needs to be taken seriously in and of itself. In order to let yourself shine, preparing for your upcoming interview is key.  If you have a little time to prepare, there are a few things you can do to get ready the week, day, and morning before your interview.

The week before your interview

Pick out the perfect outfit

It’s important that you look professional and are dressed in a way that fits in well with the company that you will be interviewing with. If this is a corporate environment, professional, dressed up attire might be a good option. If you are applying to a more laid-back organization, business casual attire might be perfect. Try your best to look presentable and well put together. Go shopping or borrow items from friends and family ahead of time if you need to.

Review interview questions

Practice interview questions with friends and family that you think might be relevant to the position you are applying to. There is a wealth of information online with different types of interview questions. It is a good idea to get a feel for a few general lines of questioning so you have a little practice under your belt.

Educate yourself on the organization

Read up on the organization and your interviewers if you can. At the very least, review the organization’s mission, reread the job application details, and do a little perusing online of your possible future workplace if you can.

The day before your interview

Dry run of your interview look

The day before your interview, try on your outfit to make sure this is the look you are hoping to convey, and that everything fits well and you don’t need any last minute changes. Consider the weather when you do a final run-through of your outfit choice as well.

Relax

Be good to yourself the night before your interview. Have a healthy dinner, try to be low key, and do what you can to get good sleep. While you still might have some pent up nerves, trying to relax can center you and get you ready for the big day.

Figure out logistics

Depending on where your interview is located, knowing exactly how you are getting there and where to park can lower stress levels right before your interview.

The morning of your interview

Keep routine

If you usually get up at a certain time and eat the same breakfast, there is no need to switch this up before your interview. Keep your morning routine as-is in order to lower your stress levels and keep yourself in check.

Avoid stressors

It is best to stay calm and have an uneventful morning before your interview. This is not the time to get in a fight with your significant other or family members if you can help it. Leave ample time to get to your interview so you aren’t stressed and worried about being late upon arrival.

Turn your phone off

Or better yet, leave this in the car before you walk into your interview. You don’t want to nervously become distracted, and you don’t want your phone going off during an interview. Being present and getting rid of any distractions before and during your interview is key.

Just remember, scoring an interview doesn’t guarantee you will get the job. While there will always be interviews and meetings where you realize right away that a position might not be the best fit, the more that you can do to come into an interview prepared and clear-headed, the better. Even if an upcoming interview doesn’t lead to a job, if you perform well, the interviewers will remember and may call you in for future interviews or other positions that you would be a better fit for. If you need help deciding the future of your career, contact us to help.