Interview Readiness & Final Reflection

The Week Before Your Interview

Day	Action
7 days before	Research the company — mission, values, recent news
5 days before	Prepare answers to the top 10 common questions
3 days before	Do a mock interview (use the chatbot in Module 3)
1 day before	Plan your outfit, route, and arrival time
Morning of	Eat well, do your breathing exercise, arrive 10 min early

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Research the Company

Before any interview, know:

• What does the company do?
• Who are their customers?
• What are their values?
• What is happening in their industry right now?
• What is the role you're applying for, specifically?

Use this to answer: "Why do you want to work here?" — the most common interview question that most people answer badly.

Weak: "I want to work here because it's a good company."
Strong: "I've followed your work in renewable energy for the past year. Your recent partnership with Eskom aligns with my passion for sustainable solutions, and I believe my background in project coordination would help your team deliver on those initiatives."

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What to Wear

When in doubt: overdress slightly. It is always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.

• Clean, ironed clothes
• Closed shoes
• Minimal jewellery
• No strong perfume or cologne
• Hair neat and tidy

First impressions are formed in 7 seconds. Make yours count.

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Body Language in Interviews

Do	Don't
Firm handshake	Limp or crushing grip
Eye contact (not staring)	Looking at the floor
Sit up straight	Slouch or lean back
Smile naturally	Force a smile the whole time
Nod to show you're listening	Interrupt the interviewer
Pause before answering	Rush into an answer nervously

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📺 Watch: Body Language Tips for Interviews

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Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Always prepare 2–3 questions. Great options:

1. "What does success look like in this role in the first 90 days?"
2. "What are the biggest challenges someone in this role typically faces?"
3. "How would you describe the team culture here?"
4. "What opportunities are there for growth and development?"

Never ask: "What does your company do?" (you should already know) or "How much does it pay?" (save that for after an offer).

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After the Interview

• Send a thank-you email within 24 hours
• Reference something specific from the conversation
• Reiterate your interest in the role
• Keep it short — 3–4 sentences

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Final Breathing Exercise

You've completed the Work Readiness Program. Before you go, take a moment to honour that.

Sit comfortably. Close your eyes.

Breathe in for 5 counts. Think of one thing you learned today.
Hold for 3 counts. Let it settle.
Breathe out for 7 counts. Release any doubt or fear.

Repeat 3 times.

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You Are Ready

You now have:

• A polished elevator pitch
• Professional email skills
• A LinkedIn profile strategy
• Resume writing skills
• Interview preparation tools
• The confidence to use all of the above

The job market is competitive. But you are now better prepared than most people who walk into interviews.

Go get it. You have earned it.

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Final Reflection

Before claiming your certificate, take 2 minutes to write down:

1. The most important thing you learned in this program
2. One action you will take in the next 7 days
3. One person you will share what you learned with

Growth multiplies when you share it.