How do you prepare yourself for an interview?
Getting a job is one of the biggest milestones that every one awaits in their life.
After all, you have been preparing this for a very long time, even when you didn’t graduate.
The job search process and interview preparation is a challenge in itself.
So, how do you prepare yourself for an interview?
You have done all things needed to search for a job and land yourself an interview.
Since the job is very important and it is with your dream company, you need to leave a good impression in front of the interviewers.
Here are some Interview Tips-
The interview preparation process includes these several elements-
- Research.
The very first thing you want to start with is the research. Start your research on these lines-
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- Research About The Company.
Finding out about ins & outs about a company makes you aware. So during the interview, you can take references or mention what you found out about the company. This makes a lasting impression on the interviewer. Here are a few things you can look up before going for the interview-
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History – Find out about the company’s history, its founders, the origin story, growth etc.
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Company Culture – Every company follows a certain culture & code of conduct. Research about their employee culture, work routine, social media channels etc. This will give you a little insight into their daily lives. You will be able to decide whether you will fit in & why you will or will not fit in.
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Products/Services – Knowing about a company’s products, services & other offerings allow you to know what the company does. Read about their customer journey etc. to get to know their customers.
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- Research About The Job.
What you are going to be hired for will play a big role in the interview. Most of the questions are going to revolve around the same thing. What should you research about?
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Role & Responsibilities – Dive deep into the responsibilities you are going to undertake in the organisation. Read the job description carefully. Search for things you don’t know about. Learn some skills if you have time.
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Hierarchy – Along with the job role, comes the corporate hierarchy. You need to know who you’re going to work under, how many subordinates are there etc. This helps you in knowing your seniority in the organisation.
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Self Analysis & Improvement.
You need to know certain things about yourself before going for the interview. If you have worked somewhere before, how were your relations with the coworkers & how well did you cope up with the job. List your strengths & weaknesses. What skills you lack. How were you in high school etc. Along with these lines, you also need to take care of two important things-
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Outfit – Your outfit reflects your personality. You need to know what kind of attire people wear in the organisation. If it is complete formals, do they need you to wear a tie? Also, your colour choice matters, as it shows your choice.
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Grooming – Do you regularly groom yourself? Usually, in a formal work environment, people follow short haircut & style. Try to groom yourself before the interview.
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Mock Interviews
Just like public speaking, practising interviews is the best way to relieve anxiety and improve your confidence. The practice may be tedious, but repeatedly experiencing the interview process will make you more comfortable and help you give the right impression.
If you have friends or family to help, conduct mock interviews as much as you can. If you don’t have another person, practice your questions and answers out loud. You may find that an answer sounds awkward or doesn’t convey what you wish when it’s spoken, so this gives you an opportunity to refine your answers and commit them to memory. The more you repeat your interview, the more confident you’ll be during the real thing.
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Speaking & Vocal Practice
It’s important to make a positive and lasting impression during the interview process. You can do this by practising a confident, strong speaking voice and friendly, open body language. While these might come naturally to you, you might also want to spend time performing them with trusted friends or family or in front of a mirror. Pay special attention to your smile, handshake and stride.
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Enhance Your Knowledge.
Work on your subject matter knowledge. If you’re applying for a technical job, you will need to have knowledge about many things. Also, along with the knowledge related to your job, read about world news, company’s competitors etc. Making a lasting impression is not an easy task.
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Work On Your Resume.
Lastly, you need to work well on your resume, including everything from your education, family background, qualifications, certifications and previous jobs (if any).
During your preparation, read over your resume and rehearse explanations for any gaps that may appear or other oddities. For example, you may have taken time off work to care for a child or family member, switched careers or had other legitimate reasons for employment gaps. These can be a concern for employers, so it’s best to prepare your explanation to show them that you’re not a risk.
Final tip: If you don’t know the answer to a certain question, it is perfectly acceptable to pause for a moment and simply state, “Let me think about that for a moment.” The employer will appreciate you taking the time to give them a thoughtful answer. Be sure to provide specific examples wherever possible. Taking time to prepare for an interview will ultimately help you feel more relaxed and confident during the process.
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