Interviews are pivotal moments that can shape the trajectory of your career. Proper preparation is essential to ensuring you present yourself confidently and effectively. Whether it is s a healthcare job interview, a college admissions interview, or any other significant opportunity, the key lies in meticulous self-preparation. In this blog, I will outline a step-by-step approach to help you master the art of interview preparation by yourself.

1. Understand the Role

Begin by thoroughly understanding the role or position you're interviewing for. Study the job description, responsibilities, and expectations. Research the company or institution and gather information about its values, culture, and recent developments. For college interviews, delve into the programmes, courses, and campus life to demonstrate your genuine interest.

2. Self-Assessment

Evaluate your strengths, skills, and experiences that align with the requirements of the role. Consider your accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular. Identify the challenges you've overcome and how they've contributed to your growth. Honest self-assessment forms the foundation for articulating your qualifications confidently during the interview. If there is an aspect of the job that you do not have much experience with, acknowledge it when asked. But you can also pair it with a response about how you plan to manage that situation by learning or how you will upskill yourself. Employers like problem solvers!

3. Conduct Research

If the interview involves a specific case study, industry-related question, or technical challenge, conduct thorough research. Equip yourself with relevant knowledge, statistics, or recent developments. Your ability to incorporate this information into your responses demonstrates your dedication and interest in the field. Follow the organisation and your future employers on social media.

4. Craft Your narrative.

Based on your self-assessment, create a compelling narrative that showcases your journey, accomplishments, and aspirations. Develop concise stories that highlight your skills and experiences, illustrating how they make you an ideal fit for the position. Whether it's problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, or adaptability, ensure your stories reflect the qualities the interviewer is seeking.

5.     Anticipate Questions

Think critically about the questions the interviewer might ask. Common interview questions revolve around strengths, weaknesses, challenges, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. There will also be basic clinical scenarios  or healthcare question and answers.  Prepare thoughtful responses that align with your narrative and demonstrate self-awareness. This preparation reduces the likelihood of being caught off guard during the interview.  You can also do a Google search, read books, blogs to find the trending topics in your subject/organization.

6.     Have a Method for Structured Responses

Adopt a method like the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively. This technique helps you provide context, describe your role and actions, and share the outcomes of your efforts. Whether discussing an accomplishment, challenge, or experience, the STAR method ensures clarity and coherence in your answers.

7.     Prepare Questions

Prepare insightful questions for the interviewer. This demonstrates your genuine interest and proactive approach. Ask about the company's future, the team's dynamics, opportunities for growth, or any recent accomplishments. For college interviews, inquire about specific programs, research opportunities, or campus traditions. Well-thought-out questions showcase your enthusiasm and commitment. You should also use this opportunity any additional information you might want , like rota commitment, on call commitment. Be prepared to answer question about salary. How much are you earning now and expected to earn in your new role. If you are coming from a different country where the currency value is low in comparison to dollar/pound, then instead of converting that to higher currency, you can use like words like range of registrar/professor /lecturer.

8.     Practice, Practice, Practice

This is the most important steps. Practice is key to building confidence and refining your responses. Conduct mock interviews with a friend or record yourself answering questions. Review your performance and identify areas for improvement. Focus on maintaining eye contact, body language, and articulation. The more you practice, the more natural and polished your answers will become. I personally like video recording on your phone, because not only can you check your responses, but also how you are  responding. You get invaluable feedback about your body language.

9.     Dress the Part

 Select an appropriate outfit that aligns with the organization's culture and your own values. Whether it's formal attire for a corporate job interview or business casual for a college admission interview, dressing appropriately reflects your professionalism and attention to detail. Use neutral colours like blue, grey. Whatever you wear, make sure it is clean, modest  and pressed. Take care of your personal appearance like a clean shaved face, combed hair, polished/clean shoes . Carry a small perfume, in the event of perspiration outbreak. Also, a small breath mint can be handy.  The same applies whether you are doing it virtually. Remember, dressing the part will help you feel confident, which will come across your interview.

10.  Relax and Reflect

On the day of the interview, take deep breaths and count them, stay positive, and relax ( at least try to). I will suggest empty your bladder beforehand if you can. Do have a small breakfast and keep a chocolate bar around in case of delay. Don’t over caffeinate yourself, as that can add to your anxiety. Arrive early, rather than late. If you are coming from another city, might be better to come the night before to avoid traffic delays. Your interview starts the moment you step into the building, so remember that in your interaction, especially if you are talking to your competitor. Don’t allow yourself to be psyched out.  Reflect on your preparation and remind yourself of the unique qualities you bring to the table. Trust in your ability to effectively convey your narrative and respond thoughtfully to questions. In the event, if it is you are not successful, try to get some feedback. This will help you in your next interview if you can learn from it.

Preparing for an interview is a journey that requires dedication and introspection. You can confidently approach any interview scenario by understanding the role, evaluating your strengths, crafting narratives, anticipating questions, and practising diligently. Remember that interviews are not just about showcasing your qualification, but also about demonstrating your character, enthusiasm, and potential contribution. With meticulous self-preparation, you can conquer interviews and open doors to exciting opportunities that fulfil your goals and aspirations.

If you want to know more about experts’ strategies and insights, check out the video from Career Planning for Doctors Webinars, click on the video below. Check out the Resources section for a summarized transcript of this video.