Do you also want to get placed in your dream job but are worried about how your job interview will turn out to be? Well, worry not. While cracking the interviews is not an easy task, still, you need to crack through it as you want to get placed in your dream job. Your selection in the company you like solely depends upon how well you do in the interview round. And doing well in the interview depends on how you prepare for it. Preparing for the job interview includes researching the company’s work culture and the job description. You will need to analyze a few possible questions that the recruiter may ask, and thoughtfully consider your answers to those questions. However, before you actually face the interview, there are other aspects that you will need to take care of. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the steps involved in preparing for a job interview and some actionable tips to improve your chances of success.
Pre-Interview Preparation for A Job Interview.
Preparing for an interview is not like a cakewalk. There are various steps you will need to follow for your pre-interview preparation.
- Go through the job description thoroughly.
To understand the employer’s requirements for the job position and the type of candidate they are looking for, you will have to read the job description thoroughly. Note down all the important keywords that were mentioned in the job description as their requirements from a candidate and try to align your skills and qualifications with them to impress the recruiter. You can also analyze the interview questions from the job description.
- Consider whether you are eligible for the job or not.
The employer must have mentioned the eligibility of a candidate who can apply for the job role. So, consider your qualifications and experience and check if your eligibility matches the job description or not. Consider asking yourself two questions; (i) how the job fits into your career and (ii) what value you can add to the company. Answering these questions will help you to convince the interviewer about your worth and capabilities to be the best candidate for the position.
- Gain more knowledge about the company’s work culture
Gathering information about the company will help you a lot during the interviews. You can collect a lot of information about a company from its official website, social media pages, employee reviews, and other online sources. You will need to look for information like its mission, management, work culture, the types of products it offers, and the types of clients it serves. Knowing more about the company will help you while creating your resume and also helps you to answer the questions during the interview round. So, if you know about the company well, then when the recruiter will ask you questions about the company you can answer with confidence. You might not need to go to the technical details of the company. Just get a basic understanding of the company's line of business.
Get some idea about their growth prospects, and business plans. Companies mainly mention detailed information about the management on their "about us" page, employment-related information on their "careers" page, and information for investors on their "investor relations" page.
- List down all the possible interview questions
Well, there are some common interview questions that the interviewer might ask during the interview. Those are;
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are looking for a job change?
- Why do you want this job?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What motivates you?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
You will need to prepare yourself to answer some thoughtful answers to these questions with confidence during the interview. Think about some impressive responses to these questions by mentioning your qualifications, experience, skills, and interest in the job. Keep your answers short and impressive.
- Try to practice mock interviews
Irrespective of your preparation, you might feel nervous and overwhelmed during the time of the interview. This might lower your confidence while answering the interview. So before actually sitting in an interview, try to practice the mock tests. They can create a real interview-like environment around you and turn out to be a great help during the interviews. You can also ask your family or friends to help you conduct a mock interview for you. Also, you can record the whole process to analyze your performance. If you don’t find anyone around you to take the mock test, then try rehearsing the interview in front of a mirror.
- Arrange your documents
You might have applied for the job online by submitting a digital copy of your CV, but, if you are attending an offline interview session, then it’s better to keep a hard copy of all your documents with you, just in case the interviewer asks for them to view your documents. Print out all the documents like your resume, cover letter, mark sheets, certificates, ID proofs, and photographs and keep them in a folder. If HR has to bring some particular documents like salary slips, relieving letters from a previous employer, or bank statements, be sure to keep them ready as well.
- Keep your social media profile updated.
If you are sharing your social media accounts like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media platforms, then make sure you have updated them. Employers will check your social media presence to get a clear idea of your personality and background and how creative you are on social media. They might also google you. So, if you have anything weird over there then get ready to answer them.
- Get ready to travel to the job location.
Yes. You might need to go to the office location. So, familiarise yourself with that place by checking them on google maps. You will need to plan your accommodations accordingly by planning the distance and the time it would take to commute on which mode of transportation.
- Put on a formal dress
The dress code is another important aspect of the interview. Looking at your dress code, the interviewer can analyze your personality. It will also make quite a good impression on the interviewer. Choose a formal dress for your interview. Make sure your clothes are clean and completely wrinkle-free. Also, make sure you have a clean look with well-cut hair and shaved or trimmed beard.
Preparation of the Interview Day
There are a few things that you should keep in mind on your interview day. Let’s discuss them.
- Reach the venue early
On your interview day, you should reach the interview location at least a few minutes before the start of the interview. Since it is an important day, you might be a bit nervous. So, you can relax for a few minutes while preparing the possible questions and answers.
- Be polite
How you maintain your politeness in the office can speak a lot about you. Many companies will use CCTV footage to analyze your personality. So, sit politely in a disciplined manner while waiting for your turn. Also, be polite to the staff you meet there including the receptionist, security guard, and other candidates.
- Be aware of your body language
Stay calm and confident while speaking to the interviewer. Put on a smile and greet them. Remember, the interviewees will know a lot about you by analyzing your body language. Hence, you should be very cautious of your body language while interacting with the receptionist or HR executive.
- Ask thoughtful questions to the interviewer
At the end of the interview, most of the interviewers will give you a chance to clarify your doubts and queries. So, make sure you ask some actual thoughtful and relevant questions to the interviewer. You can also ask questions regarding the position, company, or any other issue, you can get them clarified towards the end of the interview. Never ask any personal questions to the interviewer, HR staff, or receptionist.
Post Interview Preparation for the Job.
Below written are some steps that you can follow after you have attended the interview.
- Assess your performance
After you complete your interview, spare yourself a few minutes to analyze how you performed and what areas could have been better. Think out if you mentioned everything or missed out on something, or if you could have answered the question in a better way. This will help you improve your interview skills for the future.
- Mention your references (if you’ve Included them)
If you have submitted any other references in your CV or in the job application then make sure you inform them so that they are not caught off guard when HR calls them. Call those you have mentioned as a reference and tell them about the company and the position that you have applied for. Also, mention the skills and qualities that you would like them to recommend you for.
- Keep in touch with HR
Patiently wait for a few days to hear from the company within the expected time. But if you do not get any calls from the HR team of the company then you should follow up with them about the outcome of the interview. No matter which mode you use to communicate with HR, make sure you mention your name, position applied for, interview date, name of the interviewer, and other relevant details to help the HR staff recall your interview.
Some Additional Tips to Help you Prepare for your next Interview.
- The moment you reach the job location, switch off your mobile phone or put it on silent or vibration mode. If your call is urgent then you need to talk in a slow voice. Also, don’t use any earphones or any other gadgets during an interview.
- Sit and wait patiently in the waiting area. Don’t loiter around the office as this will negatively impact the interviewer.
- Make sure your answers are positive about your current or previous employer.
- If you are not sure about the answer to any question the interviewer asks then pause and ask the interviewer to take time to think about the answer. But don’t take a too long time.
