Using your job description

A job description or role specification is the full list of abilities, and responsibilities required to perform a particular job.

A lot of time is invested by the employer to draw up a wish list of what a successful candidate will have ie “what good looks like”. It serves as a blueprint for the interviewer to use when assessing candidates.

However it doesn’t end there. A wise candidate (that’s you!) knows the value that can be found in the role specification when it comes to their own interview preparation. Having the right job interview information is one of the cornerstones of a successful interview.

So the question you should be asking is how you can get your hands on one. If you are interviewing internally, say for a promotion, it should be easy to get your hands on a job description, just ask HR. If you are from outside the company, again you should ask HR, or your recruitment consultant to provide one. If all else fails and you can’t get your hands on it, you can always use the job advertisement you responded to as a makeshift description. It won’t be as detailed, but it is still very useful.

Here is what you need to do:

Identify what they are looking for

One of the most important aspects of a successful interview is identifying what the employer is looking for. The job description spells it out for you in black and white. Now you just have to show them you’ve got what they need.

Focus your interview preparation

Want to know which aspects of your experience are relevant? Use the description to guide you. Think about how you will describe your working history so it relates to the role profile.

Prepare for tough interview questions

Identify any gaps in your experience as it relates to the role. This could be an area for some challenging questions. Make sure you are ready for them before the interview arrives. Think about how you will answer these tough questions.

For more on how to answer tough interview questions - click here Identify the common interview questions you can expect

You can make an educated guess about the kind of questions that will be asked based on what the employer is looking for.

Click here for sample interview questions to practice Prepare and practice your interview answers

You can also use the job description of the role you are currently in to help you begin to think about how you will answer questions. It gives you a great starting point when it comes to your key responsibilities and the challenges you face.

For more on how to answer interview questions – click here

Find out how to use your resume to help you get the job

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