You finally got an interview at your dream company for a role you always wanted. The only thing standing between you and your dream job is an interview waiting to be cracked.
“So it all depends on how you respond to my two next two words: Impress. Me.” The tips for interviews mentioned in this blog will help you to prepare for job interviews and impress the interviewer.
Tips to ace your job interview
If you want a successful job interview, you need to be prepared for more than “why do you want to work at this company?” Even though you have given interviews earlier, you must brush up on your skills and be prepared for an interview. Here are some job interview tips and tricks to prepare for job interviews and enhance your interview skills.
Before the interview
Research the company and job role
This is a very important job interview tip to prepare for job interviews. Always research in and out about the company by spending a few hours collecting information from different sources. You can find the necessary information on their website, social media or Google. If it is possible, you can connect to the current or former employees of the company to get a better insight into the company.
This tip will also help you answer one of the common questions: "Why do you want to work with us?”. Employers want to know how well you know the company. Researching will also help you determine if the company suits you.
Identify your selling points and reasons for joining the company
This, one of the job interview tips, tells you to prepare for job interviews with the question, “What makes you a suitable candidate for this job?” This doesn’t mean you can brag about yourself. Be subtle about this part, and be prepared with a minimum of 3-4 selling points about yourself. And be ready to explain to the interviewer why you are interested in the position, as well as what it is that fascinates you about it, what benefits it gives that you find useful, and what skills it demands of you.
Be aware of the STAR method
If you want to prepare for job interviews, you should be aware of the STAR method. Whenever you use your answer or anecdote to address a question during an interview, make sure it is well-structured and has a distinct takeaway. The goal should be to provide your interviewer with all the background information necessary to understand what happened while still responding to the question briefly and clearly. You can use the STAR technique to accomplish this. STAR is short for
Situation: Setting the situation and necessary details of your situation or scenario.
Task: Describe your role in the situation.
Action: Explain what steps you took to deal with the situation.
Result: Share the results and learnings from the action taken.
Be ready with the answer to “tell me about yourself.”
When an interviewer asks you this question, he doesn’t want to know about your CGPA or SAT marks. Those things are already mentioned in your resume. They want to know more about you beyond what is mentioned in your resume. This is your chance to make an everlasting impression on the interviewer. Although, this doesn’t mean you end up telling them your whole life story or your favourite food. Your answer to this should be structured, and you can use a simple present-past-future formula to answer this question. This is one of the important job interview tips.
Practice common interview questions
This is one of the job interview tips that tell you to practice. You should become familiar with typical interview questions, but don't write out your complete response in advance; instead, make a few notes or bullet points and keep them nearby for the actual interview. You'll guarantee that you cover all the bases without following a script. Practising them beforehand will help you prepare for job interview and think more clearly during the interview.
Anticipate the concerns and reservations of the interviewer
This is one of the job interview tips that asks you to put yourself in the shoes of the interviewer. Consider their perspective and consider any possible reasons they might not want to hire you. After that, get ready to defend yourself by saying something like, "I know you might be thinking that I might not be the ideal fit for this role because [their reservation]. However, you should be aware of that [reason the interviewer shouldn't be excessively worried].
Identify your weaknesses
Along with identifying your strengths, it is also important to identify your weaknesses, and this is exactly what this job interview tip tells you all about. When an interviewer asks you about your weaknesses, they do not want to know how incompetent you are; instead, they want to know how well you know yourself. The answer should also show that you can excel by overcoming your weaknesses. Your weaknesses can also get you a win.
Prepare for ‘behaviour-based’ interviews
Candidates are asked behavioural interview questions to give examples of specific circumstances in which they have used various skills—especially soft skills—or to describe how they have handled particular types of situations. They're intended to determine your ability level, how you handle pressure, and how you carry yourself in a work setting. Another one of the job interview tips is to prepare for these questions.
Remember to carry a couple of copies of your resume
At every interview, bring a copy of your CV with you. If you can just pull your additional copy out and hand it over if the interviewer has misplaced their copy, you'll save a lot of time (and the interviewer's embarrassment). Writing a resume for the first time can be a tricky task. You can out our blog to learn how to write a resume for the first time to prepare for job interviews. Also, remember you might have you explain your gap year in the CV if you have any.
Update your LinkedIn profile
Before your interview or applying for an interview, make sure you update your LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have one, it is advisable to make one. LinkedIn is a professional network where you connect to other people from your field or other professional relationships. Making your LinkedIn profile strong and professional, as your recruiters might check your LinkedIn profile before interviewing you.
Prepare for technical job interviews or skill tests
This is one of the important job interview tips. Start practising and preparing as soon as you can if you're getting ready for a technical interview or if you've been advised there will be a skill test during your interview. You'll get valuable practice by working through a study guide or example questions and developing the correct mentality for problem-solving.
Take mock interviews
This can be one of the fun job interview tips. Have a few practice interviews and prepare for job interviews with a friend or family member. The hundredth time you respond to the question, "Why do you think you are fit for the role?" you'll be a lot more confident in your response.
During the interview
Be positive throughout the interview
Sometimes, you might feel that the job interview might not go well, or maybe the interviewer may ask you why did you leave your old job (if you did); one of the key job interview tips is always to be positive. The tone of your conversation and your answers should always be positive. This might also influence the mood or the tone of the interviewer.
Mind your body language
You speak through not only words but also your body language. Make sure you are conscious of your body and the message you are conveying through it. (For instance, sitting with your legs and arms crossed conveys that you are protected or locked off). Make sure your handshake is firm, you have a good posture, and you smell nice.
Your first few minutes should be a scorer
Some studies show that interviewers form opinions about candidates during the first five minutes of the interview and then spend the remaining five minutes of the interview seeking evidence to support those opinions. This is one of the most important job interview tips and tricks. What can you do to pass through the gate in those five minutes? (Bring that energy in, then!)
Make use of examples
A pro tip is to make use of examples if you can when answering questions that ask you about your strength. Adding an example might add weight and back up your answers. It will make an impression that you are not mentioning it for the sake of it.
Ask questions to the interviewer
You should always remember this golden job interview tip. When the interviewer asks you if you have any questions for them, always say yes and ask them. Plan some questions beforehand you would like to ask them. Example- “What can you tell me about the job apart from what was in the description?”
After the interview
Examine your performance
One of the best interview tips, more like post-interview, is self-analysing. When you return from the interview, take a few minutes to reflect on how you performed and where you could have improved. Consider whether you overlooked something or whether you could have responded to a specific question more effectively. This will help you significantly improve your interview skills.
Remember to notify your references
This is one of the job interview tips if you have provided references in your CV or job application, make sure to notify them so that they are not caught off guard when HR contacts them. Inform your references about the company and the position you've applied for. Tell them what skills and qualities you want them to recommend you for.
Take a follow-up:
If you do not hear back from the company within the expected time frame, you should contact the HR department to inquire about the outcome of the interview. Regardless of the mode you use, be sure to include your name, position applied for, interview date, interviewer name, and other pertinent information to help the HR staff remember your meeting. This is of the important after-the- job interview tips.
Miscellaneous Tips
Along with the tips above, there are some more job interview tips and tricks you can use to be prepared for job interviews and enhance your interview skills.
- Get proper sleep the night before.
- Always aim to arrive early and not on time for your job interview.
- Plan beforehand if you get caught off-guard during your interview.
- Always keep your mobile on silent.
- Wearing a confident smile will give you a confidence boost.
- Eye contact is very important, and always look into the camera if it is a remote job interview.
- Make sure you have a good network and internet connection if it is a remote job interview.
- Avoid alcohol the night before.
It is now time to cross these job interview tips and tricks off the checklist and shine bright like a diamond at your job or internship interview. We hope this blog helped you learn how to prepare for job interviews effectively and enhance your interview skills. You can check this blog out if you want to know how to budget your finances as a student and handle your job salary efficiently.
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