Ace your job interview with our comprehensive guide! Learn how to research the company, align your skills with the job description, practice mock interviews, and more. Boost your confidence, stand out, and increase your chances of landing the job. Prepare for success today!
Your success in a Job Interview depends a great deal on how you prepare for it. Real life battle starts from here. Interview preparation primarily involves researching the job, the work profile, the company and thoughtfully considering your answers to the interview questions. In addition to pre-interview preparation, there are certain aspects you are required to prepare for during and after the interview. Strong interviewing skills do not happen overnight. It is an ongoing process to be successful in your work.
Interview preparation boosts your chances of succeeding in your interview and ultimately landing on the job.
Your interview preparation will include:
1. Gaining as much knowledge of the company as possible- Try looking on company website, check their social media or do your best to network. When you take time to prepare, you are filling your brain with tips and skills that will help you during the whole interview process. Knowing about the company will give you a clue as to how you would fit in and contribute. Researching the company well helps you align your CV with its expectations. It also helps you answer the relevant questions and you may ask questions to the interviewer as well. But, you need not go into technicalities if you are not applying for the technical job. The idea is to get a basic understanding of the company’s line of business. Find out about its mission, management, work culture, the types of products it offers and types of clients it serves. Most companies display information about the management on their “careers” or “work with us” page and information for investors on their “investor relations” page.
2. Review the Job Description (JD)- Read the job description to thoroughly understand how the employer has described the position and the type of candidate they are looking for. Carefully review the keywords and key phrases the employer uses to describe the expectations. The more you can align your skills and qualifications with the job description, the better chances you stand to impress the interviewer. You may also get some clues from the job description about the questions the interviewer may ask.
3. SWOT Analysis- Review your experience, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Any interview will probably include a scenario question where you can draw on previous jobs to explain what you would do and why it would be effective. Are you responsible for managing a high volume of task without being frustrated or anxious about it?
4. Dedicate your time in crafting your resume- Your resume must be formatted correctly. Use a professional font. Your potential employer doesn’t want to see typos or grammatical errors in your resume. Make your resume stand out and ensure it’s clean and organized.
5. Practice Mock Interviews- No matter how well you prepare, it is natural to feel anxious and overwhelmed at the time of your interview. Mock interviews can be a great help in this regard. They can create a real interview-like environment and help boost your confidence. Ask your friends or family to conduct a mock interview for you. Record the entire process to overcome the mistakes.
6. Make a checklist of things you need- If you need to bring a reference list or portfolio, make sure they are ready to go and polished upon submitting your application. It is also a good idea to take copies of resume with you. Keep hard copies of the documents just in case you need to submit them anywhere. Put all the important documents including your mark-sheets, certificates, ID proofs and photographs in a folder. If the HR has asked you to bring any particular documents like salary slips, relieving letter from previous employer or bank statement, be sure to keep them ready as well.
7. Turn off your electronic items- Make sure that your phone’s notifications or alarms is on silence or vibrate or off during the interview. The interviewer does not want any interruptions or things that might interrupt your attention or focus. And it also sometimes seems to be unprofessional.
8. Sharpen your listening skills- As it is a saying “Think twice before you speak”. So, listening carefully to each question will help you to answer exactly what and how the hiring manager wants. Practice slowing things down and not rushing yourself with your answer. First think carefully in your mind, then speak out the relevant answer. And it must be quick. Use the words from their question when you are formulating your answer.
9. For telephonic or virtual interviews- Ensure you know how to use the program you are attending interview on like Zoom, Google Meets etc. Set yourself up in a quiet place with few distractions. Have your resume or speaking notes nearby, but don’t stare at them if your video is ON. Make sure your network connection is solid and reliable. Have a glass of water in case you need it.
10. Be assertive and polite- Practice ahead of time that you have to be polite and assertive when presenting yourself. Keep your answers short and focused. Always talk positively about your current or previous employer. Be careful not to ask any of the personal questions to any staff.
11. Update your social media handle- If you are on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or any other social medial platform, make sure you have an updated profile. Employers often check your social media presence to get an idea about your background and personality.
13. Follow up with HR- If you do not get hear from the company within the expected time, you should follow up with the HR department on the outcome of the interview. You can call or even mail them for the same by mentioning your name, position applied for, interview date, name of the interviewer and other relevant details to help the recruiter recall your meeting.
CONCLUSION
As we know that First impression is the last impression. So, make sure, that you have a proper attire and if the company has a dress code, like business attire, go for it. But the interview outfit should make you feel comfortable, confident and authentic. It should reflect you and your identity. Take a long breathe before you begin answering and listen what hiring manager has to say. Feel free to follow up after your interview and take it a s a positive feedback.
Most importantly, remember to bring your whole self to the interview. Highlight the things you can bring to the table of the company.
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