Ace Your Interview

Interviews are the gateway to your dream job. To land in your dream company, you have to be prepared in every imaginable way. Because, preparation will help you be confident and be ready for the questions which might be asked during the interview. Following are the most common yet the most pertinent tips to make sure your interview is attempted smoothly.

1. Do your homework - Before you sit for an interview it is of utmost importance that you know the company in and out. From its top management to the net profit, to its work culture. Sites such as glassdoor.com offer a great insight into finding out about a company.

2. Looks do matter - While most people focus on getting everything right from getting your answers to learning about the company, it is also of the importance that you are impeccably dressed. A recent haircut and trimmed beard for men along with a nice perfume and properly tied hair and a decent makeup for women can make a lot of difference. If you’re not willing to invest in yourself, how do you plan on convincing the interviewer to invest in you?

3. Extra copies help - Documentation is one factor which we focus a lot on. It is your ticket to show off your achievements and your accolades. Keeping an extra set of your document will show your interviewer that you have come prepared. If the panel consists of more than one interviewer, then having that extra set will come to your rescue.

4. An interview should be quid pro quo - After the technical round of the interview is done, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions for them. This is the opportunity for you to ask them queries and doubts if you had any while researching the company. This not only showcases your interest in the company but also makes you a candidate they will consider shortlisting depending on what you’re asking them.

5. Constructive non-verbal communication - Soft skills are very common these days and keeping a positive body language shows the kind of personality you have. A very decisive factor in interviews is the way you face your interviewer. Sitting up straight, with your notepad and pen in front of you and a smile on your face is the most basic etiquette an interviewee should follow throughout the interview.

6. Correspond with courtesy & flair - A clear and well thought out sentence will make a better impression than when you utter something unintelligible. It is necessary to be courteous while answering and being confident in yourself, or the interviewee will come off as arrogant. If you are having a difficult time finding the right words, take a breather, compose yourself and then answer. This will help calm your nerves and be more confident in your shoes.

7. Pursue your interviewer - There are two emails which you need to compose and send after your interview. Viz., a gratitude email and a follow-up email, both equally important. One helps you establish a formal connection with the interviewer after thanking them and the second, while heavy on the heart, can help you out in your shortcomings if you haven’t heard from the interviewer in a while. The gratitude email needs to be sent within 24 hours of the interview. And the follow-up email will assist you with feedback from the interview and where you can improve yourself.

After all that’s said and done, practice your answers. Have a friend help you with mock interviews, and come up with more than one answer to questions typically asked in the interview. Now, go ahead with your head held up high and ace that interview.