The hope of securing a new job opportunity mixed with the dreadful feeling of uttering the wrong answer — this scenario accurately describes what goes through the mind of most candidates during a job interview. Whether you’re a fresher or an experienced professional, it’s imperative that you take all the necessary steps to prepare for an interview with the aim to ace it.
Let us walk you through a couple of steps that will help you prepare and perform your best in your next interview.
Understanding the Interview Landscape
Unlike the old days where interviews were mostly conducted face-to-face, we now have employers taking interviews over the phone and through video calls. Then, of course, there are panel interviews where multiple interviewers look forward to asking you tough questions. Thus, depending on the format, you have to employ different strategies to prepare for an interview.
In-person interviews allow the interviewers to gauge your overall appearance, mannerisms, and body language. On the other hand, telephonic interviews test your verbal clarity and attentiveness, while video interviews reveal your technical preparation and camera awareness. In the modern workplace as well as in many fields, skills like technical know-how and camera friendliness are crucial requirements, so demonstrating your expertise in these areas goes a long way in securing a job opportunity.
Furthermore, tailoring your interview preparation according to the format is important. For example, video interviews require a well-lit environment and a basic understanding of the platform being used for communication. In the case of panel interviews, an ability to maintain eye contact and give concise and structured answers puts you in an advantageous position.
That’s why it’s best that you prepare for an interview keeping in mind the format, as it also prevents you from getting caught off-guard during an interaction with your potential employer.
Steps to Prepare for an Interview
Research the Company and Role
To prepare for an interview, first you need to gather as much information as possible about the company and the role that you will be performing in it. It’s imperative that you understand the vision and mission of the company and see if your skillset matches the requirements.
Cultural fitment is also an important factor before you start your journey in a new organisation. If your style of working is not in consonance with the company culture, then a long-term stint at that workplace becomes difficult. Furthermore, you need to do research on the company’s market reputation and its achievements. Associating with an organisation that has an excellent track record of employee satisfaction and growth will positively impact your career trajectory.
Practice Common Interview Questions
One crucial aspect of preparing for an interview is to learn about certain common questions that are asked by an employer. For instance, you should have concise and well-structured answers to questions like “Tell me about yourself?”, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”, or “Where do you see yourself in five years?” While answering these questions confidently is key to impressing the interviewers, you must remain honest. You should avoid giving answers that show arrogance or overconfidence; instead, your responses should reflect that you’re practical and capable of thinking logically when the chips are down. This demonstrates to the interviewer that you’re serious about the job, which raises your chances of getting selected.
Develop Thoughtful Questions for the Interviewer
Most interviews are not like an interrogation session where only one party gets to answer questions. During an interaction with your potential employer, chances are that you will be encouraged to ask questions — an opportunity that you need to take seriously. Prepare a list of carefully crafted and relevant questions that you wish to ask your interviewers. This action demonstrates your thorough research and genuine interest in the organisation and your potential role within it. Asking insightful questions about various aspects of the company, including its work culture and long-term objectives, also gives you an idea as to how best you can use your skill set to contribute to the growth of the organisation.
Plan Your Attire and Logistics
It’s true what people say — first impressions matter. Presenting yourself in a professional way is an integral part of how you prepare for an interview. It’s advisable to read up on the company culture and plan your attire accordingly so that you demonstrate an effort to fit in. Whether you’re wearing formals or casuals, you must dress in a way that the decorum of the office space is maintained.
It’s also imperative that you reach the interview location early to avoid last-minute delays and tardiness. You should plan your routes in advance, keeping in mind the traffic conditions and the time required to arrive at your destination. If you cannot rely on public transport to reach the venue on time, take a cab or make other suitable arrangements that cut down on time.
In case you’re appearing for an online interview, ensure that you make all the tech setups in advance and are available 10 to 15 minutes before the interview is scheduled to start. Even for a video call, you should dress appropriately and carefully select your background to keep the atmosphere professional.
Conduct Mock Interviews
There are times when candidates feel a certain pressure during an interview and fumble while answering even the simplest of questions. To avoid falling into such kinds of situations, you should conduct mock interviews and practise your answers with a friend or a mentor. Take as many iterations as needed and incorporate the feedback from the interviewer into your responses in every successive session. That way you will gain a certain level of confidence that will help you keep your composure during an actual interview. Engaging in such mock interactions numerous times is a fruitful way to prepare for an interview.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Interviews
A vital part of preparing for an interview is to be cognisant of the common mistakes that candidates make and to avoid them. For instance, sitting down for an interview without doing extensive research on the company or the role can make you appear ill-prepared. In such scenarios, your answers can be vague and convoluted, which can create a negative impression of you in the interviewer’s mind. It’s better to structure your responses in a concise and relevant manner using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method.
Another issue that most candidates grapple with while preparing for an interview is mastering non-verbal communication. Failing to make eye contact with the interviewer or slouching on the chair conveys a lack of confidence. On the flipside, acting overconfident or criticising your previous employers are also frowned upon, as such behaviour strikes the interviewer as unprofessional.
Lastly, failing to ask questions of the interviewer can signal a lack of interest in the company or your role in it. Showing genuine curiosity about various aspects of the job demonstrates seriousness on your part and impresses your interviewer.
Post-Interview Etiquette and Follow-Up
It’s considered good practice to send a thank-you email within 24 hours after the interview. Structure the mail in a way that conveys gratitude on your part for the opportunity, your interest in the job role, and one or two highlights from the interview session that stayed with you. This gesture shows your professionalism and leaves a positive impression of you with your potential employer. It’s also prudent to analyse your performance and note what went well and what are the areas that you need to improve to ace future interviews.
FAQs on Prepare for an Interview
What are the 5 Ps of interview?
The 5 Ps of an interview are ‘proper planning prevents poor performance’. From practising mock interviews to doing extensive research on the company and the role — it all improves your chances of acing the interview. Furthermore, arriving at the interview venue early also reduces anxiety and gives you the time to be calm and composed before the interview.
How do I introduce myself in an interview?
It’s best to start with sharing your background, mentioning your work experience and your strengths. You can also provide details of your past companies and the roles that you performed. Highlight a couple of instances when you tackled complex issues and came up with suitable solutions. Giving the interviewer an idea about your problem-solving skills improves your chances of getting hired.
How do I start preparing for an interview?
To prepare for an interview, the first step is to research the company and the role to understand if the job requirements align with your skill set or not. You can follow that up with conducting mock interviews, practising asking questions to the interviewer, and planning your attire that matches the company culture.
What are the 5 Cs of interviewing?
The 5 Cs that you need to keep in mind to prepare for an interview are confidence, clarity, communication, curiosity, and courtesy. Keeping in mind these vital factors helps you better articulate your thoughts, show interest in the job role, and create a positive impression in the mind of your interviewer.
Dos and don’ts of Interview?
While preparing for an interview, there are a couple of dos and don’ts that you must keep in mind. You should research the company, dress appropriately, ask genuine questions of the interviewer, and follow up. Conversely, what you need to avoid is interrupting the interviewer, badmouthing your past employers, and showing up for the interview late or unprepared.
