The Top 10 Tips for a Successful Job Interview
More and more organizations are setting sophisticated interviews these days. Behavioural interview, structured interviews, psychological tests, group-panel interviews, competency tests could leave you down right puzzled. But the very first interview is a basic interview aimed at the interviewer getting familiar with the candidates. Each interview is different and a few tips can really make a world of difference between success and failure.
1. Prepare and over-prepare.
Don't you like the dinner that is served to you should be well prepared, well that's exactly what you have to do for the interview. Preparation should be done in such a way that you have thorough knowledge of the organization plus you should be able to answer all questions regarding the position related to that interview. There also is a much touted principle called, "over-preparing" which help boost confidence. The ingredients are simple gather all info regarding all possible questions that you might have to answer and then just practice them until you thoroughly familiar on all topics.
2. If you don't know admit it
If at anytime during the interview you are faced with a dilemma of not knowing something then don't hesitate in admitting the same. You could also ask the recruiter to rephrase the question for you again and yet if you remain unsure of your reply you will be better of admitting that you do not know the answer. After all not everyone is a genius to know every answer.
3. Make sure your responses match your claims.
It is quite common that you could have had some kind of on job training during your previous job, or you could have taken extra coursework to qualify for a particular position. Your resume would reflect that surely and the license or certification will be there as well. While speaking about such a qualification do not overstate the facts but just subtly build upon it as your strength.
4. Speak about your strengths with confidence.
The interviewers will certainly discuss with you about your weaknesses & strengths. Thus it is of great importance that you not only know about your strengths but are also able to emphasize such strengths that can have an impact on the job you have applied for. Do not rush through at all as this is your chance to create a massive impression. Also speak about a previous true circumstance where your alertness or grasp of human behaviour help you achieve success. You should be aware that the panel is a highly educated one so do not overstate the facts. You will be asked about your weaknesses, but there's nothing to feel ashamed of. Rather say something positive like 'I'm willing to learn always'; this will really have a positive overall impact.
5. How best to describe your weakness as strengths
This question is routinely asked by the interviewers to know what thoughts you have about your weaknesses and are you arrogant or not ("I think I don't have any weaknesses"), and if at all you have the intent to do away with such weaknesses. There's just one way to go about this, present a positive impression to the interviewer. You can do that by telling about a previous weakness that you have successfully over come and you are absolutely sure of overcoming the exiting ones. Or then talk about a weakness that will really act as strength. So if you know that this organization is tough on employees with mediocre performance, then you can say, "I have this weaknesses where at times I can get impatient with people who won't perform to optimum levels & give 110%." So this way your "weakness" could land to the job.
6. Speak Softly
During your interview you must approach a conversation or answer by speaking slowly and softly than you usually do. If you are heard well means your words are getting across clearly. You might be nervous but there you are not bound by time to leave the interview hall, so will yourself the best chance to be heard clearly by the panel.
7. Speak about your aim and display enthusiasm.
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?" this is a routinely asked question with different variations. Previously answers like "I would like to be in a senior position in this company," but with the ever evolving job profiles industry requirements something on the lines like- "I would work enduringly to become qualified in all aspects of this industry" would be more appropriate. Also never sound overburdened by trying to grow. Speak in a manner that exuberate enthusiasm, that you are confident as well happy to discover new aspects of the industry. You will reap the benefits of projecting yourself as being one who is enthusiastic about the job
8. Be Friendly
You might be very cordial and exceptionally bright but if you cannot gel with the others as a team then you might become a loner. Also during the interview do not attempt to get to friendly with the interviewer; he might want you to leave in a hurry.
9. You would like to interview the interviewer.
Some unknown conditions might warrant a few applicants to settle for anything offered then they aren't going to get the best jobs either. Good and foresighted interviewers shall respect your knowledge about the organization and the prized attached to such a job. The onus is on you that you really decide on the package you would like to settle for. For instance, you could have a fifty grand plus figure in your mind at the start, but if you can gauge future growth opportunities are coming soon then you could bargain to settle for something less.
10. End on a positive note
In case of the interview not turning out to be the way you planned it, leave the place on a positive note. Convey your thanks to the panel & that you look forward to hearing from them soon. Another positive thing you can say that its was a challenging but rewarding day. Make eye contact panel members and shake hands as well. This will create a good impression against if you leave without saying a word.