For any professional, the interview procedure can be worrisome. From getting a call for an interview to converting that call into a job offer, you undergo a lot of pressure. A lot of things bother you before, while, and after an interview.
Right from worrying about the job profile, the job requirements, how will I perform in the interview, will I be able to impress the interviewer, will I reach in time, will everything go well, your worries don't end till the day you get an offer letter.
You keep on thinking about things even after you have done with your interview. This is very common though sometimes, these interview nerves can get in between you and your dream job.
To lay down your worries a little bit, this article lists tips that can help you improve your performance in an interview.
Confidence has a lot to do with interviewing- that and timing. Michael Parkinson
Here are a few tips that can help you get through your interview:
The tips are categorized into 3 sections namely,
Things to do before the interview
Things to do during the interview
Things to do after the interview
Things-to-Do Before the Interview:
1. Plan your schedule:- Make a list of what you have to do first. Plan it according to the position that you have applied for.
Prepare for the subjects on which the interviewer is most likely to ask questions. Get your basics cleared.
This will boost your confidence. Along with the technical skills, focus on your soft skills and body language. They play a major role in the interview process too.
2. Update your resume:
Update your resume according to the job position and requirements.
Add relevant keywords. Add experience if you have recently gained any.
Align your skills with those required for the job position. Research the organization well.
Check whether you have the following points mentioned in brief in your resume:
Background or Personal Details
Qualification
Career Goal
Skills
Achievements and certification
Experience
Project Description
Strengths and weakness
Hobbies or extra activities
Keep multiple copies of your resume with you. Read your resume thoroughly so when your interviewer asks you a question regarding it, you can answer them promptly without fumbling.
A survey found the following mistakes to be most common in a candidate's resume:
Spelling and grammatical mistakes were found in almost 56% of resumes
21% of candidates were not suitable for the job
16% of resumes were found where the length of the resume was not right and the candidates had a poor work history
Poor format and no use of bullets: 11%
No achievements: 9%
8% had contact details & email problems
Objective/profile was unclear: 5%
Lying: 2%
Not having a photo: 1%
Others: 3% (listing all memberships, listing personal hobbies, using brief information, etc)
3. Background check for the company: Sometimes the interviewer asks you about the company so research the company to know what services they are offering and what are their products?
Check their website and social accounts. Also, knowing about the interviewer or the company's higher authority can create a great impact on the interviewer.
4. Dress well:
Your dress should always make you look professional
They should be comfortable and should make you feel confident
Shine in your formal shoes along with your formal dress
Dress according to the company culture
Wear a confident smile
For girls, avoid wearing too much jewelry or makeup and avoid very high heels
5. Question list for you and for them: The first question the interviewer may ask you is 'Tell me about yourself?' So, practice the answer but don't memorize it.
Make a list of basic questions like career goals, achievements, projects, and what technical skills do you have, and also prepare for all the possible questions regarding your education, experience, and other skills.
When the interviewer asks you, do you have any questions? Then go for the following questions:
What will be my job profile?
Whether is it contract-based or I have to sign any bond with the company?
How many days is the training period?
What are the challenges that the company is facing?
What is the work environment?
Any concern about me that you would like to tell
During the interview:
1. Be On-time: It's important to know where the company is located to arrive in time for the interview.
Find out the company location and approximate time required to reach so that you can reach the venue before the time of the interview.
2. Speak in English: Mostly, all the professional interviews are usually conducted in English Langauge. So practice communicating in the English Language if you think you are weak in English.
3. Be honest: Your CV speaks about you. Don't bluff about things that you are unaware of or unsure of. If you have an education or career gap, don't stress.
Be honest with whatever reason you have for the gap and tactfully handle the situation. Focus on the good things that you have done in that period.
The interviewer may ask you your salary expectations. In this case, make sure you know the average salary offered for the job in the market.
State that you know the salary range and would naturally like the top end, but are flexible up to a certain extent as it’s such a good opportunity.
After the interview:
Post-interview follow-ups are equally important. Here are a few things you need to do after the interview:
1. Summary of the interview: The selection process consists of various rounds.
Make sure you analyze each round and prepare notes for further reference.
Analyze the type of questions that were asked and the way you answered them. This will help you when you go for other interviews in the future.
2. Follow up: Once you are done with the interview ask the employer if there are any further rounds. Note down the interviewer's name and email Id and ask whom to contact for further follow-ups.
3. Analyze the company: On the day of the interview, take a glance at the company's environment and its employees so that you will get a rough idea about the company and it will help you for further joining process.
4. Thank you Email: Always send a thank-you note to the employer on the same day of the interview. Show gratitude to the interviewer who took the time to interview you.
Chances are you won't win the job based solely on sending a thank-you note, but you will stick out like a sore thumb for not sending one. Don't be that person.
Your selection depends on your personality, skills and abilities, your attitude, smartness, qualification, and experience.
Your resume opens a door for you. And an interview can either open door to a bigger opportunity or could close it for you.
It is, however, in your hand to make sure you turn your interview into a job offer. Keep upgrading your skills, stay updated with the current trends in the market.
Be the one, companies look for and you are all set to get your dream job!
Keep in mind the above-mentioned tips while appearing for your next interview and let us know in the comments if you find any of them helpful.
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