Whether you just recently graduated from college or moved from one job to another for the nth time, one thing is for sure: your pursuit for that dream job will not be easy and it will be a roller coaster ride with lots of ups and downs. You will be rejected a lot of times and just when you thought you gave it your all, you will end up disappointed for not sealing the deal. But instead of being anxious, why not make your crazy ride worthwhile?

Job hunting can be a dreadful task, especially for fresh graduates because you really don’t know where to start. But don’t stress yourself that much because we are here to equip you with the things you need to remember to rock the most important part of the hiring process: the job interview.

A Job interview is an avenue for the employer to know more about their prospective applicants for their most coveted position. In this course of the hiring cycle, the employer scrutinizes applicants based from their skills, interest and work experiences and filters them until they determine the right person to hire.

By this time, you should talk more about your skills and internship or work experiences that will put you in good light and will make you a good fit for what the employer’s looking for.

Now, let’s start our countdown on how you can land on that dream job of yours.

1. Do your research- The recruitment officer is always impressed with people who know about the company and the job they are applying for.

Applicants tend to underestimate the power of being aware and understanding the industry, vision and culture of the company they are applying with.

Do some basic research about the company. Understand the industry of your company by reading articles and gather as much background information as possible. Who are their competitors in the market? How well did they perform and what challenges they had overcome?

By doing so, your interviewee will see that you are serious and sincere with your application.

And that doesn’t stop there. Your research assignment should be put into practice by “linking” it with your personal skills and experiences.

Let’s say you’re applying for a media outlet, you can say: “My interest and skills in journalism can work well with the goals of this company in delivering news and public service”.

2. Practice and master the basic questions- Most of time, when your nerves get in your way, you tend to forget how to answer even the frequently asked questions (FAQs) that are essential to every interview scene.

And the best way to combat your nerves is by practicing and preparing for those FAQs. Get a mentor or a friend to conduct a mock interview with you. Below are some examples of the FAQs in a typical interview.

• Why should we hire you?
• How can you contribute to the growth of the company?
• How do you see yourself five or ten years from now?
• What are your weaknesses as an employee?

Being confident is one thing that will bring you to a higher notch versus other applicants. It can make or break you. And by practicing through mock interviews or previous job interviews you’ve undergone, you will always learn something new that can contribute to your next interview.

3. Dress appropriately and arrive early- This is the day that you have been for and you don’t want to mess it up by dressing sloppy and arriving late to your interview schedule.

Don’t wear your casual sneakers or your skinny jeans whenever you attend an interview. Always keep a pair of slacks and long sleeves in neutral colors for men.

On the other hand, women can achieve a smart casual look by always having a pencil skirt and a plain blouse or dress in their closet.

Be 15 minutes earlier than your scheduled interview. Not only does it save you from the hassle, but it also gives you time to breathe, relax and focus more on your upcoming interview.

Job interviews can make or break you. It draws a line whether you are suitable for the job vacancy or not. It can be fun or it can be uneasy. But the most important thing to remember is to give it your best and enjoy it. You won’t make it this time but at least you learned from your failure.

Brush up and cheers for a great job interview!