How to crack an interview and get that desired job

Interviewing for a job has always been difficult and stressful for candidates. It has grown much more difficult since the COVID-19 epidemic, as firms have adjusted to the new normal and candidates must also deal with changes in the workplace culture. Because most businesses have transitioned to digital infrastructure, the first rounds of interviews, if not the entire interview process, will almost certainly take place online.

Preparing for an interview, whether it is virtual or face-to-face, is essential. There are a few crucial factors to consider in order to properly complete the interview:

Researching about the company

While a strong resume and relevant experience are advantageous, a good understanding of the company helps you stand out during the interview. In order to ace an interview, you must conduct extensive research. Knowing about the firm and whether you would be a good fit for it makes a candidate more relevant to the organization.

If you are unfamiliar with the company, though, the interviewer may become frustrated. It also shows that you are lacking in initiative. Knowing anything about the company is so important that many interviewers will question their applicants how much they know about it. Those who have little to say about the company are automatically eliminated from the following round as unprepared and uninterested.

As a result, in the current situation, conducting basic research can provide you an advantage over other applicants.

Be Punctual

Plan to arrive at the interview location at least 15 minutes prior to the allotted time. Arriving early for the interview demonstrates that you respect your time. It also allows you to unwind and refresh yourself, especially after a long and exhausting flight. To familiarize yourself with the route, use the company's provided location map or Google Maps. Check your GPS device's displayed destination and plan your route of transportation ahead of time.

It’s all about your body language

Your body language reveals a lot about your attitude and level of self-assurance. Slouching or shaking your legs, for example, can suggest nervousness. Sitting too casually in a relaxed position, on the other hand, can be viewed as a lack of good office etiquette. Make an effort to appear professional and composed without appearing overconfident. Sitting upright, displaying hopeful smiles, and making direct eye contact with the interviewer are all characteristics of positive body language.

Listen patiently

A good applicant must have the ability to actively listen. Try to pay attention and pay close attention to the interviewer. When you avoid interrupting a formal conversation, employers consider it a good professional ethic.

Before you start answering the questions, make sure you understand them completely. The additional information provided by the interviewer might sometimes be useful in answering questions that arise later in the interview. You can fine-tune your responses to subsequent questions by seeing how the interviewer reacts to your answers.

Express your interest in the company to the interviewer

There are numerous ways to demonstrate a candidate's desire to work for the firm. Asking pertinent?questions about the company's work culture at the end of the interview is a good technique. It allows you to learn more about the firm and how it feels to deal with them.

Begin by visiting its website, where you will find the most up-to-date information on the company. Start developing a list of questions you'd like to ask the interviewer once you've learned the publicly available facts. Make each inquiry specific, and include everything that will help you understand it better. For example, if you see that the company places a high priority on employee training and development, you can inquire further about the programs available.

Avoid Yes or No answers at all costs!

Answering questions with merely yes or no is strictly prohibited, as it demonstrates the candidate's lack of confidence and anxiousness. Always go into detail with your replies and try to turn the Q&A session into a conversation. One of the main reasons to avoid saying yes or no is because it gives the employer very little information about your experience. Consider the interview round as a chance to go through your qualifications in further detail. For example, if an interviewer inquires about a professional course you took and listed on your resume, try to explain how you used it and how it relates to your current position.

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Make sure you thoroughly prepare for your interview, no matter how challenging it may be. Additionally, after the interview, make an effort to contact the interviewer or recruiting manager. For example, you could send them a quick text or email thanking them and emphasizing how important the interview round was. Additionally, if you know you're going to be shortlisted for the following stage, be proactive. If you haven't heard anything, you can always send a quick email to inquire. Short, formal sentences are preferred. Good luck!