Crack that Interview Like a Charm!

You might have attended hundreds of Interviews and it never gets any easier than before each time you attend it. Every time you go for an interview, you are meeting new people, marketing yourself and your skills, and often getting the third degree about what you know or don’t know could be evening frustrating since you need to stay positive and enthusiastic all along.

There are many ways to crack the job interview like a charm. Just a little preparation time can go a long way. The more time you take in advance to get ready, the more comfortable you’ll feel during the actual interview.

Always remember: Job interview is not an exam. You don’t need to study for hours on end. Rather, you just need to do due diligence in researching the company, understand exactly what they are looking for in a new hire, and ensure that you’re able to discuss your experience and what makes you a great fit for the job.

Here are some job interview tips that can help you to give interview effectively. Proper preparation will help lighten some of the stress involved in job interviews and position you for a positive and successful interviewing experience.

Tip 1: Practice + Prepare + Repeat

• Go through the typical job interview questions employers ask, practice your answers & repeat.
• Strong answers are those that are specific but to the point.
• Draw on real examples that highlight your skills and back up your resume.
• Your answers should also emphasize the skills that are most important to the employer and relevant to the position.
• Be sure to review the job listing, make a list of the requirements, and match them to your experience
• Even the most well-prepared response might not make any sense if it does not answer the exact question you are being asked.
• While it’s important to train yourself with the best answers, it’s equally important to listen carefully during your interview to ensure your responses give the interviewer the information they are looking for.
• Have a list of your own questions to ask the employer. In every interview, you’ll be asked if you have any questions for the interviewer. It is important to have at least one or two questions prepared to demonstrate your interest in the organization. Otherwise, you might come across as apathetic, which is a major turnoff for hiring managers.

Tip 2: Build a connection with your interviewer.

•  Develop a connection with your interviewer. Know the interviewer's name and use it during the job interview.
• If you're not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview. And, listen very carefully during introductions.
• If you’re prone to forgetting names, jot it down somewhere discreet, like in small letters at the bottom of your notepad.

Ultimately, building rapport and making a personal connection with your interviewer can up your chances of getting hired. People tend to hire candidates they like and who seems to be a good fit for the company's culture.

Tip 3: Do your own research on the company

It’s important you do your homework and research the company and the industry. Every employer wants to hire an employee who is always one step ahead of his game. So, the employer is likely to ask, ‘What do you know about this company’ to understand your research skills and how ahead you are on the game.

You can do this in many ways such as:

•  Go to their websites and understand their mission, values, staff & culture.
• Surf up their social media and understand their campaign behaviors. (from this you will also be able to understand the clear message of what they are promoting through social media which could be useful in your interview).

In case if they didn’t ask you about the company, you should try to demonstrate what you know about the company on your own.

You can do this by tying what you’ve learned about the company into your responses. For example, you might say, “I noticed that when you implemented the new innovative XYZ product last year, your customer satisfaction review on google ratings improved dramatically. I am well-versed in the latest technologies from my experience and developing innovative products like XYZ, and appreciate a company who strives to be a leader in its industry.”

Tip 4: A nice outfit will be worth it but be ahead of time

Getting ready on the last minute before the interview isn’t going to end up really well. If you want to attend the interview stress-free then follow these points given below: 

•  Have one good interview outfit ready for you.
• Print extra copies of your resume.
• Find a notepad & pen for notetaking.
• Plan every movement you make and be ready with it by a day before the interview.
• Not only will planning out everything (from what shoes you will wear, to how you’ll style your hair, to what time you will leave and how you’ll get there) buy you time in the morning, it can help reduce job search anxiety, and it will also save you from having to make decisions, which means you can use that brainpower for your interview.
• Make sure your interview attire is neat, tidy, and appropriate for the type of firm you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with extra copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note taking.

Tip 5: If you are a latecomer, then you are fired even before you get the job

• Timing is really important. Be on time for the interview, at least 10 -15 minutes before the actual schedule.
• Travel to the interview location ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there.
• Take into account the time of your interview so you can adjust for local traffic patterns at that time. Give yourself a few extra minutes to visit the restroom, check your outfit, and calm your nerves.

Tip 6: Keep calm & be at peace

During the job interview, try to relax and stay as calm as possible. Remember that your body language says as much about you as your answers to the questions. Proper preparation will allow you to exude confidence.

• As you answer questions, maintain eye contact with the interviewer.
• Be sure to pay attention to the question so that you don’t forget it, and listen to the entire question (using active listening) before you answer, so you know exactly what the interviewer is asking.
• Avoid cutting off the interviewer at all costs, especially when he or she is asking questions.
• If you need to take a moment to think about your answer, that’s totally fine, and is a better option than starting out with multiple “ums” or “uhs.”

Cracking the interview isn’t that simple like it sounds. But with proper practice, research, time management & calmness can help you crack the interview like a charm!