How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Job interviews are an integral part of the hiring process that organisations engage in to fill vacant positions. Interviewing allows the interviewer and interviewee to exchange information regarding a specific job opening. During the job interview, the interviewer asks questions to determine whether an applicant is the right fit for their organisation. At the same time, the interviewee assesses whether the organisation is the right fit for them. As both parties interact, they exchange facts, meaning, and understanding, allowing them to determine their suitability for each other. This 5-phase interview cheat sheet will help you improve your interviewing skills and maximise the information exchange between you and your potential employer, increasing your chances of landing career opportunities in Kenya.

Phase 1: Research

The Company and its Culture

Engaging in research before an interview allows the job candidate to have crucial information at their fingertips. Your interview preparation should seek detailed information about the company and its culture. Today, most companies have websites, blogs, and social media accounts that detail their missions, visions, and values. Perusing such information sources can give you insights into the company’s culture and value proposition, allowing you to determine whether your personality, beliefs, and goals align with the organisation. Job candidates seeking career opportunities in Kenya should prioritise value alignment between potential employers and themselves to maximise career success.

The Role

You can research the role you are interviewing for by carefully reading the job description to understand the position’s responsibilities. Additionally, you can look up similar positions and read reviews from individuals in the role to get an idea of the day-to-day activities involved. For instance, if you are preparing to interview for an administrative assistant role, you can read reviews on the position on websites like Indeed and Glassdoor. Understanding the role’s requirements will improve how you communicate your relevant skills and experiences during the job interview, increasing your chances of landing career opportunities in Kenya.

The People

Once you receive a job interview invite from a potential employer, you can research your interviewer to understand their background, role, and interests. Searching for company information on sites like LinkedIn can kickstart your research on your interviewer. Under the “people” tab of an organisation’s page on LinkedIn, there is a list of company employees. Exploring the hiring manager’s LinkedIn page can give you insights into their professional interests, achievements, and experience. You can use such information during the interview to build rapport, demonstrate interest in the organisation, and prove you are a great fit.

Phase 2: Learn How to Answer Common Interview Questions

During a job interview, your goal should be to answer the interviewer’s questions in a manner that highlights your skills and emphasises your professional experience. Learning how to answer commonly asked interview questions (exemplified below) could land you career opportunities in Kenya.

Q1. Tell me about yourself.

When an interviewer asks this question during a job interview, their goal is to determine if you are an ideal candidate for the role. Your answer should be a summary of the information in your CV structured as a pitch to convince the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch should introduce your skills and experience, state your achievements, and highlight the next steps in your career path. You should present the information cohesively to demonstrate honesty and organisation, qualities that employers value.

Q2. Why do you want to work with us?

Your answer to this question helps the interviewer determine how much you know about the organisation and the value you will bring to it if hired. Therefore, you should structure your response to establish that you have a skill set that perfectly matches the company’s needs and aligns with its mission and vision. Showing enthusiasm to be a part of the organisation’s team by aligning company values with your career goals could increase your chances of landing career opportunities in Kenya.

Q3. What are your professional strengths/weaknesses?

An interviewer who asks this question wants to know if you are self-aware. When answering the question about your strengths, you should limit the list to five traits. Elaborate on your strengths by defining them and exemplifying how you use them to complete tasks associated with the role you are interviewing for.

On the other hand, when answering the question about your weaknesses, your goal should be to demonstrate your self-awareness and problem-solving ability. You should list at least one fixable weakness that relates to the position you’re interviewing for. Define the weakness impartially and concisely and state that you are working on it. Your best chance at landing career opportunities in Kenya lies in admitting you’re imperfect!

Q4: What is your salary expectation?

This is a critical question that could solely determine whether you get the job. When answering the question, you can use one of two strategies to increase the likelihood of landing career opportunities in Kenya. The first option is to redirect the question to the interviewer and ask about their budget. If the interviewer offers information about their budget, you can determine whether it meets your expectations. In turn, your response could be vague and structured as “That information is helpful. If you offer me the job, is there a provision to negotiate the salary?” Such an answer positions you to receive maximum monetary benefits if you land the job.

Option two is to give the interviewer a salary range that you would be comfortable with. If you choose this option, you must do adequate salary research before the job interview to ensure the salary range you provide is informed and realistic. Sites like Glassdoor and Salary.com can facilitate your salary research.

Phase 3: Prepare to Answer Behavioural Questions

Hiring managers ask behavioural questions during job interviews to determine whether the candidate is the right fit for the role. The questions usually assess problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and stress management skills. Examples of behavioural questions posed during interviews include:

• Describe a time when you were under a lot of pressure at work. How did you handle it?
• Have you ever had a conflict or disagreement with a coworker? How did you resolve it?
• Tell me about a time you set a goal but couldn’t achieve it. How did you handle the situation? 

The most effective strategy for answering behavioural questions during a job interview is the STAR technique. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action and Result. When you use the STAR method to answer behavioural questions, you start by giving context or describing the situation (Situation). The second step is to talk about the task you completed or the challenge you handled (Task). Third, explain the steps you took to complete the task or fix a situation (Action). Lastly, describe the results of your actions, including hard data and numbers, if applicable (Results). Applying the STAR technique to answer behavioural questions during your job interview ensures you provide clear and concise example-based responses that highlight your skills and experience, increasing your chances of landing career opportunities in Kenya.

Phase 4: Work on Your Appearance, Conduct and Interview Logistics

• Appearance

Your appearance during a job interview makes a lasting impression on your potential employer. You should dress in official attire, preferably a suit. Your clothing should be dark coloured (blue, black. or brown), neat and comfortable.  

• Conduct

As you look the part, you must also act the part! Good communication skills, open body language, and confidence should accompany your poised appearance to increase your chances of landing career opportunities in Kenya. Setting up a mock interview with a friend beforehand and practising using resources like Google’s Interview Warmup can help you polish your conduct in readiness to impress your potential employer.

• Interview Logistics

These encompass the planning and preparation an interviewer must engage in before the interview. For instance, do they need to print copies of their documents (CV, certificates)? How early should they arrive at the interview venue (30 minutes or an hour earlier)? 

If it is an online interview, is the application (Zoom, Google Meet) that will be used for the session downloaded and set up? Does the interviewee have a steady internet connection? Is the room they intend to interview in well-lit? 

Adequate preparation ensures everything runs smoothly on the interview day.

Phase 5: Prepare Questions for the Interviewer

Asking your interviewer a few questions at the end of the interview is a great strategy to make a good impression. It shows that you did your research, prepared for the interview and familiarised yourself with the way the company operates. The questions you prepare to ask your interviewer should be value-adding, thoughtful and informed. They should cover subjects like job responsibilities, work flexibility, career development, and performance expectations. Examples of questions you can ask your interviewer are:

•  What are the immediate priorities for the role over the next six months?
•  How does the organisation address matters concerning work-life balance?
•  What is the typical career path for someone in this role within the organisation?

Conclusion

There you have it! A 5-phase interview preparation blueprint that will maximise your likelihood of landing career opportunities in Kenya. Remember, interview preparation is like playing Jenga. Engaging in each phase explained above adds to your “confidence tower” and facilitates well-rounded preparation that will enable you to impress potential employers with your professionalism. You’ve got this!