Saturday, April 13, 2019

How to Ace an Interview



Interview is all about selling yourself. Take a moment and think what makes you buy a “good” product? It could be brand, quality, packaging, budget; mostly all of them. This is exactly how an interviewer analyses you; if you are an alumnus of the college you can boast about you are already branded but of course, the expectations from you will be fairly high as compared to others. Others graduating from tier two colleges, the pressure on you is no less, as you need to build a brand of your own.


Your credential speaks for you, but a good attire creates that first good Impression that can help you initiate the sail for an incredible voyage. By all means quality matters; your interviewer will be looking at you for knowledge, expertise, confidence, patience and agility so, it is crucial of what you say and how you say. You need to exhibit you are best in trait and for this you will need to work on yourself to become impeccable for that D-day.

Here are few reminders that can help you pep up for a good interview:

1. Do your Homework

It is always good to be prepared rather than welcome the unexpected. An inside scoop about the company and its domain can be of great advantage. You should be well versed with company’s website; make yourself aware of their leadership positions, present net worth, social media posts and recent press releases. You should understand company’s mission and vision; this will give you an insight of how you can fit in their work culture and contribute to their growth.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”


2. Understand Job Description & Practice

A thorough analysis of the job description can be your success mantra. Take a detailed tour of the given job profile, try to read between the lines, this will give you a fair idea of what is expected from you. Make a note of all the possible questions that you think can be asked in the interview.
You can visit blogs that can help you to prepare for the most asked technical and aptitude questions. A good idea is to see your LinkedIn connections and see if you have a connection from the same company, you can ask them for the type of questions that are being asked in the interview. You may now have enough matter in bits and pieces that can help you create your own story. Make sure you have answer to all the questions noted. Don’t be overconfident, practice all the questions till the time you get it right even the nth time.

“Don’t practice until you get it Right. Practice until you can’t get it Wrong!”



3. Relax

Nervousness can be your biggest enemy of crucial times; you can confuse even with the easiest question. Deep breathing can help you relax and stay focused. Remember a stress interview is not personal it is just a tact to check how you react under stress. Never get aggravated by the interviewer remarks, maintain your cool and be patient.

“Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges. So, Relax!”


4. Stay positive

Expect the best but be prepared for the worst. It is time to remind yourself of your achievements and accomplishments; the reason you are there is because you deserve it. Be confident and maintain your composure. You have done enough homework and practice to get selected!

“Staying positive does not mean that things will turn out okay. Rather, it is knowing that YOU will be okay no matter how things turn out.”


5. Be on Time

Punctuality counts! Being on time shows how keen you are to get the job. It will also give you ample time to relax and prepare yourself for the interview. If you need to travel long distance to reach the  venue, it is advice-able to reach at least half and hour before your interview slot so that  you have time to freshen up and do a quick touch up. Even if you have your telephonic or a Skype interview make sure you make yourself available minutes before the interview starts.

“Punctuality is not about being on time; it’s basically about respecting your own commitments.”


6. First Impression Counts

A poor presentation of food can not only reduce your appetite but also stops you from tasting the tastiest delicacy. A good packaging helps you to gain the needed attention. It is advisable to have a formal dressing for the interview. Try to avoid loud colors that can overdo your look. Wear clothes that are properly pressed and make you comfortable. Never forget your shoes, make sure to wear shoes that are clean and not worn out. A clean shave and proper hairdo also add to your impeccable appearance. Wear minimum or no jewelry. Overall a prim and proper dressing makes you look sincere and accountable.

“You never get a second chance to make a great first impression.”


7. Your Introduction

A brief introduction or walk through the resume is usually the first ice breaking question; and you CANNOT go wrong with it. These sixty seconds can determine how the interview will progress. Your introduction should include your name, place of birth and education, work experience starting from your current job, educational background (you can keep it brief by mentioning your highest qualification) and your family background. Be prepared with your skill sets, achievements, strength and weakness; you may include the same if you are given adequate time. Your introduction may include few open-ended responses, those could be your next set of questions, so be prepared with all their answers. Remember with every response you give you should be able to show how keen you are to take up this job and how you can be the right fit!

“It’s not just about being better. It’s about being different. You need to give people a reason to choose YOU.”


8. Stay focused

Any distraction during the interview can cost you the job at hand. Be attentive, listen keenly to the interviewer before you answer. Don’t beat around the bush; include only those points that are required. Don’t forget to switch off your cell phone before you enter the interviewer’s cabin. Your poised response will exhibit your agility and knowledge.

“Focus on the possibilities for success, not on the potential for failure.”


9. Be Confident

There is a very thin line between confidence and over confidence, so ensure you respect the line and be only confident. There is absolutely no scope for being under confident, prepare yourself well for it. It might be your first, second, third…..tenth interview but there is a high possibility that your interviewer might have interviewed  hundreds of candidates before you, so he is far more smarter and experienced than you think. It is easy for an interviewer to asses your confidence through your body language, facial gesture and your responses; so be alert and be yourself.

“Confidence isn’t walking into a room thinking you are better than everyone, it’s walking in not having to compare yourself to anyone at all.”


10. Be Honest

Being honest is the easiest thing you can do. There is no harm in accepting you don’t know because you don’t know! One lie leads to another; the chain continues and ultimately can lead you to a pretty tight situation with no escape. Do not misrepresent facts and figures as it will cause more harm than benefit in the long run. People respect people who are accountable for their actions, so be honest.

“If you want to be trusted be honest.”


11. Your Question

Don’t shy away from asking questions but also ensure you ask the most relevant ones. Usually at the end of the interview you get to ask questions of your choice; make the most of this opportunity. Prepare questions in advance for which you would like to seek clarification. The question can be around your job profile, your carrier path, any specific grants being offered. Do not ask questions the answers of which are most obvious or can be found on their website, this can only make you look ignorant.

“Knowledge is having the right answer. Intelligence is asking the right question.”


Finally,

Congratulations!! If you made it through. If you could not sail through, do not regret as it was probably not your best day.  It will be wise to sit down and remind yourself of what could have gone wrong so that you can work on your mistakes. Your hard work will never go unrecognized, so just keep doing the good work.

If there are queries you think have not been answered through the above post; write to us at earnyourworth@worthhiring.in and we will try our best to get the best answers for you.




Your Partners in Success,

Team Worth Hiring
Visit us at www.worthhiring.in


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