The best mantra for appearing for interviews is being fully prepared. It important that job-seekers use every conceivable means possible to prepare for the interview. Understand that interviewing is a skill; as with all skills, preparation and practice enhance the quality of that skill. Preparation can make the difference between getting an offer and getting rejected.There is no one “perfect” way to prepare for an interview. However, there are some strategies to enhance one’s chances for interview success.
Here are some steps to follow while preparing for an interview:
1. Self-assessment: We recommend regular self-assessment, but most people resist this step. When one is unemployed or fearing pink slips in recession, the time is right for reassessing current skills, talents, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, interests, and work values. In addition, it is clearly time to re-examine accomplishments and achievements, particularly those that may be relevant to a prospective employer. We recommend keeping an on-going accomplishments file in which to maintain such items as articles, congratulatory letters, kudos from the boss or clients/customers, 360 evaluations, and descriptions of successful activities as they occur.
2. Updating your resume regularly: The accomplishments and successes file serves as a starting point to reassessing your resume. If we assume that a resume must be accomplishments-based rather than descriptive of one’s responsibilities, then the file serves to jog one’s memory about recent notable activities. Bare-bone the resume by removing all irrelevant material and try at getting it onto one page. Use functional headings to help focus the reader on what you have done and what you can do for the new employer. Make the resume factually correct.
Next, let’s assume you have a interview lined up. What to do in such a situation?
3. Research, research and do more research: Depending on the time you have, use every possible means to learn all you can about the company and position. Use the internet to locate and read information about the company/organization. Access books, journals, magazines, newspapers and any reference materials useful for investors — and job-seekers! Read online resources for major business publications, such as Moneycontrol, Economic Times, Rediff, Business Standard, Forbes, Money, The Wall St. Journal, etc. Go online to the company’s Web site as well as competitors’ sites. Also, prepare questions to ask. These questions should reflect your research on the company. Do NOT ask about salary or benefits!
4. Use your alumni network to the best advantage: Contact your classmates or alumni who work for that company. You could find them on Linkedin. Choose fairly recent graduates to better understand the interview and hiring process. People who have worked long enough can guide you about corporate culture, history, and career paths.
5. Re-assess your resume: Review your resume thoroughly and know everything that’s on it.
6. Practicing typical and basic interview questions - Why are you interested in this Industry?
- Why are you interested in this Company?
- Why are you interested in this Job?
- Tell us about yourself and your career till now?
7. Be prepared to discuss anything on your resume. Be prepared to answer questions like: * your greatest weakness
* your lack of related experience
* your low marks
* your lack of leadership experiences
* your regular job hopping
8. Practice with a friend or in front of a mirror: Focus on your voice, mannerisms and gestures, facial expressions, poise, energy and enthusiasm in your answers as well as in your body language. Try and improve, enhance, develop your answers. Because interviewing is a skill, you can only improve your style and acumen with practice. Practice is important too in assuaging fears and nervousness. However, a degree of tension is beneficial toward maintaining a level of alertness that causes you to sit up straight and forward in your seat, leaning toward the interviewer. The ideal is to strike a balance between poise/calm and energy/enthusiasm.
9. Final preparations: Select appropriate attire long before the interview day. Know the culture of the organization for which you are interviewing and dress accordingly. Know the location of your interview. Plan to arrive at the office 10 minutes in advance. Allow ample time for traffic, the possibility of getting lost, and parking difficulties. Bring extra copies of your resume in a folder or portfolio. DO NOT ASK ABOUT SALARY OR BENEFITS!
Source - mybandra.com........................................GUIDE CONSULTANCY SERVICES
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