Great! You’ve just received an invitation for an interview. On paper, you’re the ideal fit for the vacant position at the organization. Brilliant! You’ve beaten 80% of applicants to get to this advanced stage and the podium (read: the coveted cubicle) is in sight. Wow!
Well, we hate to break this to you; all that were the easy parts and the toughest task lies ahead. Yes you read right; the job is only half done. So what do you do next, right? Lets start with: continue reading…
Ok, lets be honest. Job interview tips are probably easier to find on the Internet than memes. Everyone makes their own version off a set template, they’re ridiculously basic, just a waste of time and sometimes downright hilarious (see the uncanny resemblance to memes?). But your career is not a joke and it is paramount you don’t treat it that way. Hence, it’s important to identify the essential interview tips that you simply cannot do without. So, forget about polishing your shoes to ‘resemble the night sky’ (either ways, we prefer brown leather :P) and let Dolce & Gabbana worry about accenting your clothing (We have no idea what that means, but yes, it might prove the difference in getting hired when interviewing for GQ). Simply put, worry about stuff that matters!
Awesome! We got your attention. Now, let’s get to work.
First and foremost it is important to analyze who is possibly going to be
interviewing you. For that, analyze which company you’re applying to. It’s
almost a given that if you’re applying to a position in a large organization
you’ll be interviewed by personnel professionals or trained and seasoned
interviewers (sometimes both, in multiple stages) and they’ll try every trick
in the book to make you crack. Expect concrete structure in such interviews and
anticipate (and be prepared) for unexpected questions and situations. In
smaller firms, you’re more likely to be interviewed by a partner or someone
with limited interviewing experience. But you must be prepared for a slightly
more relaxed, more personal and more scrutinizing interview. The smaller firms
are probably risking more with you and hence will be more stringent in their
selection and interview process. But both the sets of interviews have stark
similarities.
Remember, the goal of the interview, whether you’re
interviewing with a large or small firm, is always the same – CONTROL. Always
establish your mark on the interview and use the questions you are asked to
steer the conversation to your strengths and comfort zones. Now, here’s the
tough bit. The art of control is honed only through rigorous preparation and
experience. Experience cannot be taught (plus being a seasoned interviewee
isn’t really a highlight on one’s resume, right?). So, preparation must always
be the focus.
Prepare for the worst – the toughest of questions and the
most hostile of interview climates. Know everything you can possibly find about
the company and position you are going to be working for. Try and connect with
current or erstwhile employees to understand what you can possibly expect at
the interview. Prepare for questions
about everything on your resume, personal and behavioral questions and of
course professional questions about the work you are going to be expected to do
at the organization. Also, don’t forget to prepare questions to ask the
interviewer. Most candidates fail to ask questions and that conveys a lack of
interest or responsibility to the interviewer. Boast about yourself, put your
abilities and accomplishments under the spotlight and force the point about why
you’re the ideal candidate, but always do it in a subtle manner. Confidence and
staying calm is the key. If you can control the interview and provide the
interviewer with the exact information he or she wants to hear, you’ll have to
do something really wrong in order to lose out on the job.
Below, we’ve broken down the process into different sections and finally a set of videos to drive the points home. The videos also provide scenarios to help inexperienced candidates understand the nuances of a personal interview. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and conquer your next interview!
Different interview/questioning techniques:
- ‘Run of the Mill’: This is the most basic of the techniques. In this straightforward and chronological technique, you will be asked questions based off your resume and/or application form. Expect the interview to focus on you and your accomplishments. Probably, the easiest technique to control and conquer.
- ‘Prove your mettle’: This
is the intermediate level of the techniques. Here you’ll be required to
clearly substantiate all the claims you’ve made, whether on your resume or
over the course of the interview. You may be asked to provide examples of
various behavioral, personal and professional attributes such as teamwork,
leadership, problem solving, negotiating or even something specific about
the job you will be required to do. The objective is to ensure you are the
perfect match for the company and the position and also to know how honest
you really are. Pass through these choppy waters and you’ll have created a
very bright impression.
- ‘Out of the Blue’: This is
often where most candidates start the downslide. They lose control and
unsettle their nerves. Because, here the interviewer drops a bizarre,
off-the-wall question to test how creative or logical you are when put on
the spot. Agreed it is almost impossible to prepare for an ‘unexpected
question’ or a ‘logical conundrum’. But, the trick is not to prepare but
to anticipate. If you are able to lead or control the interview up to this
point it will almost be easy to expect this question coming your way. The
interviewer will use this as his/her trump card and use this technique
when you have successfully navigated through everything that has been thrown
at you thus far. Hence, it is important to identify this technique within
an instant and ensure you keep calm. You’d rather take your time to think
and reason about the answer (after politely asking the interviewer for a
minute of time) than become a nervous wreck. Remember, it is not the right
or wrong answer that will land you the job but the process you apply to
achieving your goal.
- ‘The Pressure Cooker’: When all else fails, expect the interviewer to apply this technique. Here, the interviewer is looking for the chink in your armor. Your views will be challenged (often bluntly), your achievements will be questioned (even ridiculed) and it might feel like you’re being dragged into the bullpen. Once again, don’t lose your cool and imbibe the pressure. Maintain your demeanor and provide strong, logical counterpoints to questions raised. Whatever you do, don’t argue or breakdown. At all times remember this: negotiate this section and you’re more or less hired!
When you prepare for
an interview always expect the worst. That ways you’re ready for all that the
interviewer throws at you. Hence, expect your interviewer to employ all the
above techniques when interviewing you. Keep your eyes and ears open, pay
attention at all times and always have a clear idea of where the interview is
at present and where it is about to go.
Tip: A great way to tackle unexpected questions or pressure
questions is to talk to past candidates who have interviewed with the company
or connect with a current employee. They’ll give you a good idea of how their
interview went and you’ll be able to gauge what you can expect. But be warned, don’t
get complacent because you never know what to expect in an interview (even if
you’re a soothsayer!).
Example questions:
Questions You Can Prepare For
- Tell us about yourself
- Why did you choose your
degree and what have you gained from it?
- What has been your most
important achievement in life so far? Why?
- What are your strengths
and weaknesses?
- Why have you applied for
this job?
- What do you have to offer
us?
- What are the current
issues in this sector of work?
- What experience do you
have of working in a team and what role did you play in that team?
- Describe a project you
have successfully completed.
- How would your friends
describe you?
- Describe a situation you
have found difficult. How did you overcome it?
- What questions would you like to ask us?
Questions You May Wish To Ask
1.
About the organization
a.
What are the major current projects?
b.
What about future developments?
2.
Work
a.
What encompasses your scope of work?
b.
Duration of work?
c.
What are typical projects/timescales?
d.
How varied is the work you’ll be doing?
3.
Training
a.
What kind of training is offered/possible?
b.
What sort of help is provided for pursuing professional
qualifications?
4.
Colleagues
a.
Who would you be working with?
5.
Location
a.
Where would you be based?
b.
How much travel/mobility is required/expected?
6.
Prospects/Salary
a.
What is the likely progression?
b.
Where are previous graduates at present?
7.
General Way of Life
a. Accommodation, amenities, limits on free time
etc
Preparation Videos:
Nice uploads,, truly informative !! :)
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