As a beginner, you feel fear and anxiety when you hear the word ‘interview’. It is totally normal to feel all sorts of emotions but if you’re confident and prepared for your first interview, nothing can beat you.
“What will I say to them? What if I don’t know the answer to their questions? What if they reject me right away?” These questions bother every starter before his/her interview.
If such thoughts bother you too then here are 8 interview tips that’ll help you feel confident and sail through your interview.
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Formulate a brief Résumé
Résumé is the first thing that the interviewer asks for. Make sure to prepare a brief resume that covers all the important work aspects and experiences that you’ve had throughout your educational years. As a starter, it is quite obvious that you do not have any experience of the corporate world and the interviewer understands it as well.
Mention your educational details, your personal projects, and any project/assignment related to the field you’ve applied for. Only add a skill if you’re 100% prepared to answer questions asked around it. Avoid adding extra things in your resume as it only lengthens it and makes it more complicated to read.
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Do some Research
It is very important that you have knowledge about the company and the role that you’ve applied for. Interviewers love to ask “Why do you want to work here?” “What made you choose our company?” Always prepare yourself to answer such questions.
One way to learn about the company is through it’s website. The companies usually have all their aims and goals defined on their websites which helps a lot in answering according to the interviewers’ expectations.
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Practice the Interview
Practice will take you a long way. Always rehearse by setting up a mock interview with someone you know and tell him/her to ask expected interview questions. You can also rehearse in front of a mirror. This will help you feel confident and you’ll become comfortable talking about the same things when asked during the real interview.
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Be on Time
We can’t put enough stress on the importance of being punctual especially for starters. Arriving late gives off an impression of unprofessional behavior because of which you might end up not getting the job even after performing well. Not only is it an important deciding factor for landing the job, but you also get the time to relax and mentally prepare yourself for the interview.
For online interviews, make sure your internet device and system is working properly at least a day before the interview. Moreover, set up an hour margin before the interview to go over the setup. This helps in resolving any last-minute problems.
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Dress to Impress and Focus on your Body Language
First impressions are very crucial. It is absolutely essential to make a great first impression through your dressing and body language. An advice? Dress according to the position you’ve applied for. It is important to dress formally as interviews are formal events where you can’t just jog in wearing sweats and tees.
The way you conduct is as important as any other factor that decides whether you’re worth hiring or not. Body languages are windows to a person’s personality and attitude. Interviewers get an idea of your attitude and personality through your body language without you saying a word.
- Always greet the interviewers with a warm smile.
- Shake hands firmly.
- Sit/stand straight.
- Avoid fidgeting.
- Maintain a polite eye contact.
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Answer Clearly and Precisely
Elucidate your thoughts and ideas as clearly as possible. Also, try to validate through examples without rambling. Try to keep your answers short, crisp and relevant.
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Prepare Questions to Ask
At the end of an interview, some interviewers give you a chance to ask questions. Avail this opportunity to clear any doubts that you might have about the company or field that you want. This is also a great chance to show the interviewer how much knowledge you have about the company.
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Show Gratitude
Always thank the panel regardless of how the interview goes. If they do not decide immediately then politely ask about when to expect to hear back from them. In case of rejection, don’t lose hope instead, ask for a feedback so you can work on your mistakes for the future. End the conversation on a positive note by appreciating the employer irrespective of the decision.
Author: Aqsa Butt (@aqsaaa_buttt)
