Interviews are something that gives you an opportunity to sell your skills and abilities. Also, allow you to find out if the job and company are right for you or not. A job interview is the most crucial moment in a person’s life. Because the way the Interview goes decides whether the applicant gets the job or not.
So how to get ready for an interview?
What are the common mistakes made while giving an interview, and how can you avoid them?
The answers to all these questions you will get one by one as you continue reading this blog. But, before I tell you how to get ready for an interview, let me give you an overview of the Job Interview.
What Is a Job Interview?
It is the final stage in the recruitment process where the interviewee is being questioned by the hiring manager or the company’s panels to find out the potential candidates best suited for the company.
Types Of Job Interview
Before knowing how to get ready for an interview, you must know what are the different types of job interviews first.
Personal Interview
The most common job interview is the personal interview, i.e., you have to walk into the company to give their interview along with their CV. And it is a two-way process between interviewer and interviewee.
Group Interviews
The second type of job interview is a group interview in which multiple candidates are interviewed simultaneously. The benefit of doing it is that it saves a lot of time rather than interviewing each candidate personally.
Phone/Screening Interview
In phone or screening interviews, a brief introduction is being taken before moving to the next hiring process. A recruiter organizes it to evaluate a job candidate’s qualifications.
Video Conference
Nowadays, it is the most common job interview because of the pandemic and usually takes place in zoom meetings, Google meet, or Skype. During this, make sure to have good access to the internet to avoid any inconvenience.
Panel Interview
In panel interviews, there are more than two persons to take the interview, and while answering them, make sure to make eye contact with the panel rather than a specific person.
What are the most common interview mistakes?
There are many common mistakes candidates make before and during the Interview. Here are some of the common mistakes:
- Arriving late or too early for the Interview.
- Improper attire.
- Forget to switch off your cell phone.
- Not doing company research.
- Not making eye contact with the interviewer
- Uncertain of resume details.
- Talking too much.
- Didn’t ask any question after the Interview
Now how can you avoid these mistakes? Well, for that, you need to follow some rules or tips that we have mentioned below.
Interview Tips: Before, During, And After Interview
There are few tips you need to follow in order to know how to get ready for an interview. Here are those tips:
Before an Interview
Before stepping into an interview, make sure you are fully ready for that. A job seeker going to an interview without preparing is like an actor performing without rehearsing. So here is the list of things you should keep in mind before going for an interview:
Do some research about the company.
Research the company and its history before you sit in the interview. Find out all the relevant information, like who will be interviewing you, and review the job description in detail to understand it inside out.
Prepare a set of questions.
When asked by the interviewer if you have any questions, it will be best if you have a few ideas up your sleeve. This shows that you’re prepared, enthusiastic, and committed to the role and the company. Try to think of less obvious but interesting questions that will set you apart from other candidates.
Make sure you arrive on time.
Arriving late will give a bad impression of you in front of the interviewer. Also, it will increase the chances of getting rejected. So it’s better to arrive at least 15 minutes early to avoid any inconvenience.
Ask questions
At the end of the interview, the interviewer usually asks if we have any questions. So it is good to have a few ideas up your sleeve. Do ask questions and show your interest towards them. Don’t say no as it shows that you are not interested and lack interest in them.
Conduct a mock interview.
Before going for an interview, think about how you can best show your skills and experiences to an interviewer. This can make you feel more confident on the day.
Print out copies of your Resume.
Without your Resume, your interviewer will not take your interview. So make sure you keep at least two printout copies of your Resume.
Well dressed up
Use formal depending on what kind of company and post you are applying to. And being well dressed and going with a good mindset will increase your confidence.
Turn off the cell phone
Bringing your cellphone into the interview with you is often important. If you require it, make sure you keep it in silence mode or turn it off. Make sure no vibrations or other sounds emanate from your phone.
Say thank you before leaving
Once the interview is done, don’t forget to say thank you to everyone before leaving, and it shows how well-mannered you are. Also, write and send an email or handwritten or thank you note to the company.
During The Interview
To help you know how to get ready for an interview, here are some of the practical and effective rules you must follow:
- Make sure to keep your answers brief and concise.
- Include concrete, quantifiable data.
- Watch your body language.
- Prepare some success stories.
- Smile
- Put yourself on their team.
- Ask questions.
- Maintain a conversational flow.
- Research the company, product lines, and competitors.
- Keep an interview journal.
- Say thank you at the end
After The Interview
What you should do after a job interview will depend on what happens during it. Following up after a Job interview can be the difference between getting a job and getting rejected. Too often, this step is overlooked by some candidates entirely.
- Write down the important points from the interview.
- Ask for the next steps and contact information.
- Ask how you should follow up.
- Send a thank-you note.
- If you can ask for feedback
- Follow them on all social media platforms(Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, etc)
- Be patient.
What are the top 10 questions asked in an Interview?
The interviewer asks hundreds of questions depending on the type of job you are applying for. To know how to get ready for an interview, there are a few basic questions’ answers that you must know. Here is the list of those questions:
- Tell Me About Yourself.
- What are your hobbies?
- What is your weakness?
- What Is Your Greatest Strength?
- Why Do You Want This Job?
- What are your goals?
- What makes you different from others?
- What Are Your Salary Expectations?
- How Do You Deal With Pressure or Stressful Situations?
- What Motivates You?
How to stand out during an interview?
Stand out during an interview enhances your possibilities of getting a job offer from your prospective company. Here are few tips you can follow in order to make yourself stand out during the Interview.
- Do Research about the company.
- Dress well
- Arrive on Time, but Not Too Early.
- Show your strengths and areas for improvement.
- Don’t talk too much.
- Describe your achievements.
- Be brief, bright, and confident.
- Ask unique questions at the end of the Interview.
How do you ace an Interview?
Since an interview gives you a chance to show your skills and qualifications to make a good impression, here are a few tips that will help you ace an interview.
- Make a list of questions you want to ask
- Dress properly
- Be on time
- Avoid talking too much
- Stay calm and keep a smile on your face
- Bring your resume copy and required documents
- Do Follow up after the Interview
Conclusion
Well, that is all about how to get ready for an interview; there are few things you need to keep in mind in order to get selected for an interview. There are different types of interviews, but they all serve the same purpose. Just follow all the steps I have listed above, and you are ready to crack any interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to have a job interview in the morning or afternoon?
According to new research, scheduling your Interview in the morning can increase your chances of getting hired. That is why avoid scheduling an interview late in the afternoon.
How do you answer why should I hire you?
“Honestly, I have all the skills and knowledge that your company is looking for. I’m pretty confident that I am a well-suited applicant for this job role.