It is only 15 minutes before you get your turn to be ushered into the job interview room. What you do during this short time goes a long way in determining whether or not you nail it in the in the actual interview. Otherwise all your preparation efforts could go down the drain. You need to have a keen grasp of job interview preparation tips in the little time before you enter the interview room.
“As a recruiter, I never expect a job interview candidate to be late for an interview. In 15 minutes, you should be already at the interview premises, fully prepared to meet the recruiter,” Sara Moga, a HR Consultant at Lafayette Resources establishes.
She adds that the way you conduct yourself at the company seeking to recruit you determines whether or not you get the job.
“I always tell people that the job interview starts the moment you enter the company premises. How you conduct yourself at the premises goes down the recruiter’s records to either earn you a plus mark or deduct on your performance,” Ms Moga says.
So, what should you do the moment you get at the prospective recruiters premises? What should you not do?
Mistakes To Avoid 15 Minutes Before The Job Interview
Among things you should never do at the prospective recruiter’s premise, Ms Moga advises against any last minute preparation 15 minutes before the interview. They include the following.
1. Never ask for directions as a last minute preparation
It is unacceptable to call the recruiter, 15 minutes to the actual interview just to call for directions.
“This is the first thing you should do the moment you are invited for the job interview- ask to know where the hiring company is located. Its shouldn’t be a last minute preparation,” Ms Moga says.
The HR consultant says that asking for directions in such a rush hour is an inconvenience to the recruiter as it is usually at such a time that the recruiting staff is making final arrangements for the interview to take place. Nobody would have the time to assist you even if they wanted to.
2. Making copies of documents
You are already on a queue, waiting for your turn to be interviewed, and then you remember that you do not have copies of the required documents.
This could be a suicidal mistake you can ever make as you might be forced to rush out and start looking for photocopier services. It could even render you losing your chance with the interviewer.
3. Listening to music
When you adjust massive headphones on your ears and make moves that suggest you are listening to music, you send a negative impression about yourself. You send an image of an employee who would waste a lot of their employer’s time and resources entertaining yourself
What Can You Do Just Before The Interview?
1. Read a book
“Instead of listening to music on headphones or playing candy crush, you can read a book or any other read that is always provided at the waiting rooms of most hiring companies,” advices Ms Moga.
Ms Moga says that you can engage in any other constructive activity provided it does not send a negative image of you.
2. Familiarize with the place
What if in the interview room you are asked about the name of the security guard you just snubbed your way past?
The HR expert divulges that it is important you familiarize with the hiring company to have a face information about it. This includes, getting in touch with its physical environment as well as the staff, if possible.
3. Prepare for what to expect in the job interview room
If you took your time to go through expected interview questions and answers, this could be the time to polish you response skills. Take your place and try to recollect you career journey, what you have achieved and where you intend to be in your career. Know that you really want the job. This is a good way to prepare for the actual question-answer session in the job interview room.
4. Be calm
Finally, stay collected and wait for your chance. After all, you have had a long time to prepare for the job interview haven’t you? There is no need to panic. If taking a glass of water is what you need to keep your cool then why not? Ask for it from the receptionist. There is no fault in doing so.
There is a lot you can do just in 15 minutes to get it all right at the job interview and emerge successful.
