Congratulations! You just got a call for an interview. Now comes the hard part: preparing for it. If you want to make the best impression possible, it’s important to practice your interview skills. Not only will you feel more confident walking into the interview, but you’ll also stand out among other candidates in the process. Murray Resources, leading job recruiters in Houston, TX, explains what you need to know:

Research common interview questions.

Go online and start researching common interview questions. There are some that you might be more likely to get asked than others. However, most hiring managers typically inquire in a general way about your background, strengths and weaknesses, why you’d be a good fit for the job, and why you’re leaving your current position.

Think of other industry-related questions you might get asked.

In addition to general interview questions, there will be those that are specifically related to your industry or the role you’re interviewing for. You can go online to research some of these, as well, or simply list a few you think you might get asked.

Write down your answers.

Rather than speaking them out loud, write them down first. This will help you to think through your responses and expand on them so you can offer the most detailed information possible. Once you’ve completed this process, then create condensed versions of your answers on flash cards. Shuffle them up so they’re in a random order and then start practicing them out loud. The more you practice, the more prepared you’ll be.

Record yourself practicing.

Use your phone or your computer’s web cam to record yourself. Don’t simply assess what you’re saying, but look too at your body language and the tone of your voice. This will help you gain more insight into the impression you’ll be giving to hiring managers.

Ask a friend to perform a mock interview.

You can also ask a friend or family member to interview you. Give them your list of questions and ask them for feedback on how well you answered them. This will help you hone your interview skills in an environment that feels safer and more comfortable than an actual interview.

Walk through what you’ll wear and how you’ll get there.

As job recruiters in Houston, TX, we know that another important part of the preparation process is to figure out what you’re going to wear ahead of time. Whatever you choose should be business formal attire. You’re also going to want to ensure your suit is cleaned and pressed ahead of time and that you have shoes to match.

Likewise, if you’re not sure where the company’s location is, do a test run before the interview day so you can determine which route to take and the amount of time it takes to get there.

Preparing for an interview certainly takes a lot of time and effort. However, the more you put in, the more you’ll get out in the form of a possible job offer.

Need more help with your job search?

Call the experts at Murray Resources. As job recruiters in Houston, TX, we can assist you with all aspects of your job search, from resumes and cover letters to connecting you with top jobs throughout the city. Contact us today to learn more.