Giving a bunch of interviews and cracking none could be a tedious task for anyone out there. There is no such thing as a perfect interview but you can always learn ways to ace it.
There are a lot of ways which could help you be better prepared for an interview you really want to do good in.
WHAT ANY INTERVIEWER IS LOOKING FOR
They basically wanted to know two things; firstly, what is the most important thing for you at the moment. Secondly, whether or not you think you are fit for the job. At the time of the interview the job should be the most important thing for you and how do you prove that? By giving them reasons why they should choose you over the other applicant. They are conducting the interview to hire someone, and for that they see whether you are fit for the job or not. They check your qualification, work experience, what values that you can bring to the company etc. If you answer these questions, it will create a positive image of you in the interviewer’s mind. This will increase the probability of your selection.
HOW TO ANSWER “Tell me about yourself”
Interviewers usually take up this question to ease into the interview. What makes this question somewhat tricky is the fact that you need to tell them some things that are not already mentioned in your resume. Along with your basic introduction and education, try and talk more about your hobbies. These can be things that aren’t necessarily related to the job.
BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING DURING THE INTERVIEW
The interviewer isn’t obligated to only ask you questions. She/he can put you in real life situations to test if you are capable of thinking on your feet. Always carry your previous work if you are applying to a creative job like art, graphic design etc. Be prepared in advance with all your documents
Do not keep on going with the slides because it would become very boring.
MAINTAIN A STEADY VISION
You should always make sure that your eyes don’t wander off to other things during an interview. You should have a steady vision at all times. Not being able to have this attribute could convey your short attention span.
KNOW THE COMPANY YOU ARE APPLYING TO
Having knowledge about the company you are applying to could prove to be a huge advantage at times. And researching doesn’t necessarily include the corporate background. You can always learn about the work atmosphere of the place and things like that
Having this kind of information can help you get in the good books of the interviewer and score you some brownie points.
AVOID AFFIRMATIONS OR REFUTATIONS DURING THE INTERVIEW
Avoid answering with yes or no at all times during the interview. Your interviewer will be more interested in your thought process behind the affirmations or refutations. Your opinion is not what matters to them during the interview. It’s what got you to that opinion that matters more.
NEVER HESITATE TO TAKE UP AN AMBIGUITY
Never feel embarrassed to ask about any doubt from your interviewer. You can always try and subtly add questions to the answers that you are giving. Avoid questions related to pay or promotion. Try to indulge them into questions about culture, work ethics, policies etc.
TALK ABOUT YOUR PREVIOUS JOBS AND HAVE REFERENCES
It is highly recommended to have 3-4 professional people in the reference list. Make sure before putting their names on to the list you’ve requested permission. Avoid involving any part of your personal life in the interview and keep it strictly about the job. . It’s a professional place impress them with your working experience, quantifiable results you have achieved.
ONLINE INTERVIEWS-A boon of the post COVID era
“Virtual is the new reality” with this quote in the time of a pandemic, many companies have adapted to the new normal. Well, easier said than done, the companies are purchasing video conferencing systems like Zoom to connect virtually with their employees. They also are proceeding with the hiring of new employees through the virtual medium. Although, the questions are going be similar to the ones asked in a normal interview
However, there are some things you have to keep in mind while sitting in a virtual interview.
- Background
Subtle, soothing background color with a proper sunlight is the perfect setting for an online interview. Things kept in your background should not be distracting for your interviewer.
Avoid wearing clothes that match your background.
- Bandwidth
It is always recommended to not to trust the common internet, when I say common I mean the one used by the entire family. Trust your own personal mobile data. Being disconnected during an interview and giving excuses about poor bandwidth shows how unprepared you are for small obstacles.