How To Prepare For An Interview

Passing a job interview has always been challenging, making it stressful for the candidates. The COVID-19 pandemic has become even more challenging as organizations adjust to the new normal, and candidates must also deal with the changes in the work culture. Since most organizations have moved to adopt digital infrastructure, it is pretty standard that the preliminary round or the entire interview process will be online. One common question that comes to every interview seeker is “How To Prepare For An Interview” and in this blog, we have summed up the ways to prepare for a successful Interview.

Interview fear or anxiety

Interview anxiety is prevalent (even if you know you are qualified for the job). Meeting strangers in a position of authority, telling about yourself, and Being evaluated and judged on your appearance, demeanor, and ability to sell yourself – all trigger nerves and stress. However, there are strategies you can use to help reduce anxiety before the interview, both in-person and video-call interviews.

According to research, it was seen that almost 80% of candidates suffer from fear of interviews. At the same time, those who overcome the fear of the interview are more likely to succeed. Let’s know what they are, how to overcome the fear of interviewing, and 12 surefire ways to prepare for an interview and make sure to crack it.

First of all, let’s understand why are we afraid of interviews. The answer is straightforward. It is not the fear of interview but rejection, so overcoming the fear of rejection is crucial.

How do we overcome the fear of rejection?

You can handle the fear of rejection by changing your attitude towards the interview. Confidence is also crucial. I will share the success mantra, “Always appear in the job interview with the correct posture and with an attitude that you don’t need this job.” Yes, you read that right, always appear in the interview with this attitude. This attitude will boost your confidence by preparing your mind that even if you get rejected, you don’t have anything to lose. But don’t show overconfidence or arrogance.

According to some psychological research, if we need something in life, then we start chasing it. When we chase, we get afraid to lose. This fear of loss or rejection reflects in your posture, and no company will hire a fearful person. So appear in the interview with complete confidence. Believe me, confidence plays a significant role in cracking a Job Interview.

How to prepare for an Interview – be ready

A well-prepared interviewee has an immediate advantage in the interview.

Plus, feeling prepared will boost confidence and reduce interview anxiety. Bring or keep everything you think you might need for the personal interview:

-Resume

-Cover letter

-References

-Id Proofs

-Certificates

-Pen and notepad

12 surefire ways to prepare for an interview

Whether virtual or face-to-face interviews, it is crucial to prepare in advance. For a successful interview, there are a few essential things to consider.

1-Setting your first impression:

First and foremost, it is crucial to understand a job profile and whether you and your qualifications fit into this profile or not. Always ask for job details before appearing for an interview. Identify your key strengths. And be clear about what kind of candidate the organization/company is looking for. Take some time to listen to the interviewer’s questions and think before answering. Be prepared to answer some deep behavioral questions. These questions will test the candidate’s ability to handle responsibility and resources.

2-Researching about the employer:

While an impressive resume and experience are helpful, a good understanding of the employer also sets you apart in an interview. Research is an essential aspect of successfully cracking an interview. Knowing about the company and whether you are the right fit for the profile makes the candidate more relevant to the company.

On the other hand, not knowing about the employer’s company may frustrate the interviewer. Also, it shows a lack of inventiveness on your part. 

Those with little knowledge about the company are immediately eliminated from the next round, considering them unprepared/indifferent. Thus, in the current scenario, doing basic research about the job profile and the company can give you an edge over other applicants.

3-Show interest in the company:

There are more ways to show that a candidate is interested in working with the employer company. A practical approach is to ask relevant questions about the company’s work culture at the end of the interview. It helps to know more about the company and what it’s like to work with them.

Start by visiting the employer’s website, where you can get maximum relevant information about the organization.

4-Share your experience:

One of the most common questions raised or asked by interviewers these days is, “tell me something that’s not on your resume.” That helps in determining whether the candidate is suitable to fit into the company’s work culture

In addition to telling the interviewer about your qualifications, don’t forget to tell them that you would be a good fit for the team. As an interview candidate, view this question as an opportunity to share your characteristics, strengths, and qualities. When the interviewer learns about your intangible strengths, it becomes easier for them to give you an edge over others. Following these steps will help you prepare for an interview and crack the job interview.

5- Avoid – yes or no answer:

Answering only yes or no questions strictly need to be avoided as these are clear signs of lack of confidence and nervousness in the candidate. Always elaborate on the answers and try to take the Q&A round in a conversational tone. One of the biggest reasons to avoid a yes or no is that it doesn’t tell the employer much about your experience.

Consider the interview round an opportunity to share your skills in a detailed manner. For example, if an interviewer asks about a specific professional course you have taken and mentioned in the resume, try to explain how you used it and its connection to your current role.

Always think that if you need this particular job, then at the same time, the organization is also looking for a suitable candidate. During the interview, remember what skill sets you will bring to the organization, whether they will last in the long run, and how they will benefit the organization. This could be a surefire way to crack job interview.

6- Understand the job requirement:

 It is imperative to understand the job profile and whether you fit in this profile or not. Always ask for the job description before appearing for an interview. Identify your strengths and clarify what kind of candidate the organization is looking for. It will help you decide your approach during the interview.

7-Possible Questions and Answers:

Once you are clear on the job requirement, please make a list of possible questions and their answers, i.e., what an interviewer can ask you. If needed, take the help of your friends in similar positions in the industry. Trust me; if you take this exercise seriously, you will be able to find at least 80% of the questions that can be asked during the interview.

Prepare Your Answers to Commonly Asked Interview Questions such as, ‘Tell me about yourself.’ Answer this question by highlighting your background and explaining what enables you to land the job. This way you can crack job interviews easily.

Other interview questions include:

Why do you want to work for our company?

What are your greatest strengths?

What are your most significant weaknesses?

Why should we hire you?

Why did you leave your last job? 

From where you have completed your Digital Marketing Course?

Tell us about your challenges in your last job and how you overcame them.

The best way to answer the questions is by using the star method.

Suppose the interviewer asks you ‘how you applied a specific skill at your previous job?.’

Tell stories using the star method:

Situation: Describe a specific challenge you faced.

Task: Explain your role in the situation.

Action: Describe the steps you have taken to overcome the challenge.

Outcomes: Explain the results you found, including anything you learned.

8-Never falsify or fake your CV:

Faking a CV is most candidates’ biggest and most common mistake. It may create problems for you in the future and can spoil your career, too, so always be honest in your approach.

9-Be honest and flexible:

Always be honest during the interview. If you don’t know any answer, accept it rather than trying to give the wrong answer. Apart from knowledge, organizations give a lot of importance to people who are honest in their approach. Never be rigid in your approach, as the business environment is quickly changing. Organizations always give importance to people with flexible approaches that are relatively rigid.

10-Never argue with the interviewer:

It is advised not to enter into any kind of argument with the interviewer during the interview. Accept that the interviewer has more experience to justify. Listen and don’t argue. I’m not saying don’t speak your mind, but put it positively and don’t argue that you are right.

11-Never cheat the organization after accepting the job:

Again a prevalent mistake. Some people have the habit of trying in different organizations for a better package after getting a job offer, and if they get another job, they just say no before joining. Trust me, it can spoil your career in the long run, and you will never reach top management with this attitude.

The world is too small, and you can’t hide such actions in this network age. In the future, you will encounter the same people again and again, and no one will hire you if they find that you follow these tricks. If you do not wish to join, please do not accept the offer letter, but after accepting, if you say no, it is unethical and unprofessional. Its always better to prepare for an interview before going for it.

12-Salary Negotiation:

Never ask for an unrealistic salary increase as it gives the impression that you are not serious about the job and are switching jobs just for money. Please do your homework before salary negotiation, i.e., with your experience and what is the industry benchmark for the particular job profile.

For junior and middle management, the typical salary increase ranges from 25% to 40%. 

Bonus tip:  Always ask for Feedback at the End of the Interview

Before the interview closes, ask for feedback from the interviewer, regardless of how your interview went. It gives a very positive impression of the candidate. The organization feels that the candidate has a positive attitude and is ready to accept feedback.

Finally, prepare thoroughly for your interview, no matter how challenging it is. Also, once the interview is done, try to get in touch with the interviewer or hiring manager. For example, you can create a quick text or an email to thank them and share how valuable the interview round was.

Additionally, be proactive when you know you will likely be shortlisted for the next round. If you haven’t received an update, you can always write a short email to follow up. Keep sentences short and formal.

We have tried to cover all the essential points, but if we missed any, you are welcome to add by commenting below.

This blog is submitted by one of our students Mrs. Nandini Bose, author of Holistic Living Cookbook.