Now That You’ve Gotten That Interview...

Now that you’ve gotten that interview, congratulations. You are already halfway there. Getting to the interview stage means your application stood out and caught someone’s attention. But now, it is time to do the real work.

The interview is where your story meets your voice. This is where you get to prove that everything they read about you on paper is real. The first thing you should do is research. Look for information about that kind of interview. Find people who have done similar interviews, whether for the same company or for similar roles in other organisations. Learn from their experiences and try to understand the kind of questions that are usually asked.

If the company has given you information on what to prepare for, stick to that and build around it. But if not, find the closest match online or from people in your network. This gives you a sense of direction.

Go further and prepare for other possible questions. Write out sample questions and structure your answers around them. However, do not over-rehearse. Be flexible enough to pivot when a question catches you off guard. If you have prepared well, you can adapt your existing ideas to fit new questions.

Remember that first impressions matter. When they say, “Tell us about yourself,” or any other opening question, that is your chance to set the tone. Prepare a solid answer that reflects your journey and shows that you are undoubtedly suitable for the role. Make it comprehensive yet natural.

If a question catches you off guard, stay calm and composed. You do not have to know everything. Take a brief moment to think, say what you can, and move on confidently. Do not let one tough question throw you off balance. What matters most is how quickly you recover and maintain your confidence.

Finally, keep in mind that an interview is not just a test of what you know but how well you communicate it.