You are thrilled and exhilarated as you get to now of the interview for that job you always wished for. You think you got this but as the days of the interview draws near and a question comes up in your mind “What if I don’t have what it takes to ace in this interview?” Fear creeps in and you lose all that confidence. But we want to tell you not to worry. We are here for you and here are some tips to crack any kind of interview.
It’s important that you take time and prepare which will help in making this lengthy and boring interview process run smoothly and quite interestingly. You will be able to perform outstandingly if you do your homework right and say the right things. Let it be for any profession or interview for any level, being prepared is one of the main steps that will help you to land that dream job. Interview skills are learned through research, from experiences of oneself or of others, etc. Always remember there are no second chances to make a great first impression. These interview tips that we have put down for you will equip you to answer the interview questions and convince the hiring team why you are unique and a valuable asset.
An interview is done to get to know more about each other and it’s always a two way street. The company is interviewing you to find out if you are the best fit for it and you should be seeing if the company is the right fit for you. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask you queries to the company and don’t just settle for anything but for the best, which is also the strategy taken up by the company too.
The following tips are divided into three main parts such as what you should do before the interview, during the interview and after the interview.
What to do before the interview?
There’s no doubt that interviews can be stressful. But the more time you spend preparing for an interview, the more confident you will feel. That confidence will be noted, favorably, by your interviewer.
- Resume Writing
One of the best and first weapons to grab the attention of your employer and to make yourself stand out from others is a resume put well together. It’s all about you in the capsule. It is brief which contains information about your skills, educational background, years of experience, etc. Remember that an interviewer will always refer to your resume and will ask you questions .Therefore it’s important to be honest and refrain from mentioning any element that might put you in a fix or which might be controversial.
- Research about the company:
It’s a must that, before appearing for an interview, you should be well informed of the company you are interviewing for. Research should be the first step. You should go through their website, learn about the type of industry it’s involved in and what its products are, etc. During the interviewing process, it’s likely that the candidates will be asked a few questions related to their company to know whether one is aware of the nature of the job they are applying for.
Mostly there will be questions such as what do you know about our company? Why do you want to work?
Having a better understanding of the company’s past performance and also about the projected future will help you in explaining how perfectly you can add value to the company.
- Practice
It’s true that practice makes a man perfect. Take online ability tests and conduct mock interviews with a friend or a family member and ask for their feedback. This will help you to know your strong and weak points which will later help you in correcting your mistakes. Prepare answers to commonly asked questions which will help you to analyze where you stand. Never memorize an answer but rather understand it and give a reply from your perspective.
The more you practice, the more confident and self-assured you will feel while facing the interview. Yours should answer confidently and in your own authentic way which will impress the interviewers.
During the interview
This is the time you have been preparing for. The first step is to be confident and be familiar with what information and details you had given in the resume.
- Dress up professionally
Your first impression is always important. Therefore what you wear on your interview day matters. That’s why it’s important that you look professional and appropriate for the work environment.
Mostly, for general business interviews, men tend to wear a dark suit and tie and women often wear a suit or blouse with a skirt or pants. Never go with heavy makeup but be as simple and natural as possible.
If you are unsure about what to wear, email, or call up the person who scheduled the interview for you and ask about the typical dress code. Your goal is to make the best impression possible, so dress sharp.
- Be elegant
You might be nervous as you step into the interview room but remember why you are doing this and be courageous. Never show your nervousness on your face. Have a welcoming smile and a pleasant face. Be active and listen carefully to what the interviewers are asking you. Maintain eye contact while answering the questions and don’t interrupt the interviewer while they are speaking.
- Be confident and give out specific answers
Be well prepared for any type of question that’s going to come your way. Be spontaneous and give them interesting and authentic answers. Always remember to be natural and let your own personality shine through.
Elevate your strengths and prove to them that you are capable of facing any challenges that come your way. Never put down anyone in the answers you give, be it those who earlier worked with you or the company that you worked previously. Always be gentle and confident.
- Posture and body language
Posture and your body language are other factors that play an important role during your interview. Your body language shows how confident you are and how well you carry yourself. Try to remain as calm as possible to kill nervousness. Take some deep breaths and remember that this is your chance to prove yourself.
- Give examples from real life
Imagine if one keeps talking about themselves how boring it will be to listen to it. Likewise when you are talking to the employers make it interesting and engaging for them to listen to. Incorporate some examples to grab their attention. Collaborating behavioral experience and personal qualities will help to get success in your interview.
After the interview
This is one of the most stressful times for many as they are unsure of what the result will be. But don’t worry the following tips will help out to keep your tension in check.
- Show gratitude
After getting done with your interview remember to thank the interviewers individually and be grateful to them for giving the opportunity. This will show your true character and how excited you are to work for them. Make the best use of this time and see it as your opportunity to impress them. But remember once again to be your own self and draw them to you through your character.
- Catch up with references
Contact that person who you had given as your reference. Share the interview experience with them and also the information you had shared with the interviewers. Also, it will be possible for you to gather some inside information about the company from the will be helpful for you. Don’t ignore their contact and stay in touch with them even after finishing the interview. They will also be helpful to you for getting other opportunities in the future.
- Wait for the dead line to cross
Patience is the key to success. Never contact the recruiters as soon as the interview is done rather wait for the deadline that they have mentioned to cross. Don’t annoy them with emails. Follow up only after the deadline is finished. Acknowledge the recruiters upon receiving the mail regardless of the success or the failure of the interview
These are some tips that will help you to perform exceptionally well in your interviews. But the most important tip is that you should know about yourself and what you want. This is the factor that will keep you motivated and that which will help you to be self-assured. No matter how well you prepare, if you don’t have confidence all these will be in waste. Remember confidence is the best makeup anyone can wear.
Always remember not to be defensive and arrogant while speaking to the interviewers. Be humble even if the interview might be stressful. No matter how the interview turns out to be, see it in a positive way.
Good luck. You got this. We are rooting for you.