An excellent first impression at an interview can land you at your dream job.
However, a job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience. Even if you have strong technical skills and a great resume, you must make your employer feel that you are the right fit for the company.
But how to nail your job interview? What exactly employers like (or don’t want) while assessing a candidate? How can you make that lasting impression on the interviewer? Is there any good list of guidelines to follow?
If you also have such questions, you are in the right place. Here we have highlighted some vital tips that will help you work through your nerves and succeed.
1. Do Your Homework
Keep yourself aware of the in and out of the industry. Research and gather as much information as you can about the company. Get the idea about the services they offer, potential challenges and priorities. It will help you explain how you can add value to the business and show that you are genuinely interested in working with them.
2. Dress Appropriately
‘Appropriate’ dress code for one workplace can be a big miss for the other. So, make sure you choose the proper outfit according to the company’s work environment and industry.
For example, if it is a retail, beauty, or hospitality industry, a ‘smart casual’ outfit can be ok. If the company is from the IT sector, a ‘business attire’ will work best.
3. Arrive on Time
Arriving early at the meeting place allows you to relax and set yourself at the location before the interview starts. It also makes the employer feel that you are punctual and reliable. Check the route to the location and weather conditions to plan your travel time accordingly.
4. Start on a Right Note
It is one of the best tips to nail an interview. The first few minutes are crucial. Make a firm handshake and keep good eye contact. And yes, don’t forget to smile during the initial greeting! It conveys a sense of confidence and lets your interviewer know that you have a positive attitude.
5. Be Prepared
Get an understanding of the standard interview questions and plan your answers. A few common questions include – your strengths, weaknesses, where you see yourself in five years & why the company should hire you.
During the interview, be an active listener and understand the question carefully before you answer it.
1. Lie
Lying or exaggerating your academics or skills may impress the employer and land you the job at first. However, it can ruin your reputation later if you do not match the company’s required performance criteria and even cost you the job.
Highlight your success and past accomplishments, but don’t make any false claim.
2. Criticize a Former or Current Employer
Honesty is the best policy. Still, we advise you not to say anything negative about your former employer or colleagues, even if you are not happy with them. Instead, you can talk about the opportunities you got in the previous company and how you leveraged them. It is one of the best ways to nail an interview and building trust among the people working with you.
3. Give Short Answers
Answering questions with single words like “yes” or “no” will not give a clear idea about your thought process. Instead, it may indicate that you might not have a clear picture of the topic. Whenever possible, provide examples or insights to support your answers.
4. Keep Your Phone On
Taking phone calls or sending/checking messages during an interview sends the signal that you are not 100% focused. Please turn off your mobile device before the interview starts and do not turn it on until you leave the recruiter’s office. If you forget to turn your cellphone off and if it rings during the interview, apologize for straightaway and quickly turn it off.
If you are giving an online interview, mute your microphone when you are not speaking. Make sure there is no background noise, which can create disturbance in the conversation.
5. Ask Premature Questions
Avoid asking questions about background checks or drug tests. It may point out that you are hiding something from the employer. When you are given a chance, ask about the company’s expectations from you, whom you would be working with, or about the interviewer’s opinion on an interesting industry-related topic you have come across.
Bonus Tip: Do take notes during the interview with prior permission. It shows that you are attentive to details and helps you prepare better for subsequent rounds.
Conclusion
Follow these tips to nail a job interview and put your best foot forward. Keep in mind that an employer assesses your behavior and awareness during the whole hiring process.
If you want to brush up your skills, enroll in LearnAtRise’s training programs. We will help you follow the best approach with the right technical and behavioral capabilities to take the next step towards a bright future.
Good luck!