Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.

Making a good impression during an interview is imperative especially if you live in Yangon because a good portion of recruitment is done through personal connections. It is important that you present yourself well whenever you meet with senior managers. Thorough research and effective preparation is the most important part of your interview. Otherwise, you will leave the interview feeling awkward and regretful.

So, if you’re invited to a face-to-face interview – here are VCS top tips on how to prepare:

What do you prepare for?

Research the company & Interviewer profile – It has never been easier to research about a company. Find out what they do, who they are, who their customers are, and who their main competitors are – as well as any recent developments or plans within the company.  The first question that will be asked from interviewer will be about how well you know their company.  It also helps if you can find out interviewer’s profile as it will put you at ease when you know exactly who you are meeting with.

Read your Job description - If the JD is not given, speak to the recruiting manager to find out as much as you can about the role. This will help you understand what the employer is looking for in terms of specific skills set and experience. Prior to the interview, you should think of some tangible examples that prove you are the best candidate for the role.

Know where you are going – make sure you know where you need to go and how long it takes to get there. Yangon traffic is getting worse day by day so make sure you plan your route well. The last thing you want is to turn up late for your interview. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time.

Pick an Outfit – Wear an appropriate clothing. This is very important for culture sensitive nation like Myanmar. In some Myanmar owned companies, it is mandatory to wear traditional Burmese clothing for work. Therefore, make sure you ask for this information when speaking to recruiting manager.

Prepare some answers – Unfortunately, you cannot predict every interview questions that will come up but based on what’s written in the JD, you should draft some potential questions your interviewer may ask. You should also think and prepare about what you should answer. The best way to do this is to emphasis your answers on your most relevant skills, attributes, and work experience.

Prepare some questions – most interviewers give you an opportunity to ask questions at the end of interview. Prepare yourself with some relevant questions but it should never be about the money or benefits! You want to ensure that the company you are applying for has good ethics and values. It is never wrong to prepare some questions about their organisation culture and future expansions.

After having done above preparations, you should feel more relaxed and confident about attending interviews. This will help you control your nerves and you will feel that you are in control.

Author Emily Phyu - Head Of Executive Search VCS