Master the Interview Process

The three main keys for a successful interview are:

1.Be confident, respectful, and personable.
2.Be prepared to give quick and in-depth answers to hard questions.
3.Be open about what you want in a new job.

The moment you walk into the interview room, the people across the desk begin judging you. Studies reveal that interviewers only take around 8 seconds to make that important first impression. Everything that comes after either proves their opinion or changes it.

Always bring a new copy of your CV along with you to an interview. Show up before the appointment time but not so early you have to wait excessively long. Being late often leads to an immediate “No” because they believe you will also be late in the job.

Interview Behavior

Pay attention to your posture and body language when going to a business for an interview. The way you walk, sit, and gesture makes an impression. Non-verbal communication is one of the most important ways human beings make decisions about other people. The goal is to look professional, engaged, and confident.

Some tips that help include standing and sitting up straight but in a relaxed manner that does not appear too rigid, leaning forward slightly to show interest, avoiding extreme gestures or facial expressions, and maintaining eye contact. Do not smoke, even if the person on the other side of the desk asks if you want to.

Remember that an interview is a conversation between you and the employer. Answer questions fully, but avoid talking excessively or using complicated language. Ask for clarification, if necessary, so you can give the best answer succinctly. In many interviews, there are multiple people observing and asking questions. This means there are more eyes on you looking for mistakes.

Before the interview appointment, it makes sense to prepare general answers to common questions. However, do not memorize a script since that will cause problems if they ask something outside the bounds of your expectations.

Some common topics of conversation and inquiry include:

Background Information

Interviewers frequently start with your background information. Prepare a short and information-dense summary of your education, qualifications, experiences, and extra-curricular activities. This summary will usually include information already found on your CV or application.

Qualifications

One frequently asked question during an interview is, “Why do you feel you have the qualifications necessary for this position?” They want to know what skills and experience you have that will help their company succeed. This includes education, job-related abilities, and personal traits. How you answer this question often determines how the whole interview goes, so be specific and unforgettable.

Experience

Instead of simply listing all past jobs, tell the interviewers only what pertains to the particular position they offer. Research the job beforehand, and build a mental list of what accomplishments from your past best serve its needs. Reveal that you have knowledge about the industry, understanding of the position itself, and relevant experience to back it up.

Why Apply?

Interviewers want to know why you want the particular position. “The money is great!” is not a good answer. Share what interests you have about the work and how you believe you can benefit the team and company overall. Also, share how your past experience and education has made you the perfect fit for the role.

Objectives

The employer may ask about long-term goals to get a feel for how ambitious you are or whether you are likely to stay at the position for very long. Share your aspirations in such a way that it does not seem like you only want to use their job as a stepping-stone to better things.

Managing Crisis Situations

Some interviewers ask questions to find out how an applicant would act in a volatile situation or crisis. Instead of panicking, prepare yourself by researching potential problems that may arise before you get to the interview. This can also help you determine a course of action to take if you do get the job and something unexpected happens.

As the interview comes to a close, the employer may ask if you have questions that you want to ask them. Saying “no” does not impress them because you seem uninterested or unwilling to learn more about the position. Think of a couple questions to ask before you head to the meeting. Keep them professional and focused on the position you are applying for. Asking about company growth plans shows how eager you are to help them improve their standing in the industry, for example.

When the interview is over, stand up straight, smile, and express your thanks that they called you in and met with you. If you are lucky enough to get an offer immediately, inquire about getting it in writing for your records. This cements the offer more firmly in your future. If you are unsure, you can request a few days to consider the offer before agreeing to it. Usually, it will take several days or even weeks to get an offer. The employer probably has a lot of people to interview and cannot make up their minds so quickly.

Possible Interview Questions to Prepare For

1.What would your dream job be if you could choose any?
2.Why are you interested in working for our company?
3.What interests you about being a (job title)?
4.What achievements are you most proud of?
5.Describe some of your main objectives in this industry.
6.What are your salary expectations?
7.How would you describe yourself and your personality?
8.What is your reaction to high-pressure situations? Give examples of past issues.
9.How did you handle a situation like (details)? How would you do it differently?
10.Describe an event where you had to (specific actions pertaining to the job/industry).