“The first impression is the last impression”. We have often come across this phrase during our school times. NOW is when we put it to ‘Practical Use’. While appearing for a job interview, it is vital that you utilize the time allotted to you effectively and efficiently. This enables you to make a positive and lasting impression on the interviewer. Given below are some useful tips and tricks that will assist you in preparing for a Job interview thereby making sure you ace at it.
- Do your research well-
It is very necessary to know the organization well. When you appear for an interview, the interviewer can easily make out whether you have done your homework or not. It is a very basic step to do some groundwork and research about the company where you are applying for a job. You can search for the company through various resources available on the internet. Most of the companies have their own website which can be the best source to gather information about it. Other than that, social media gives you an insight into their latest work, projects, achievements, recognitions and CSR initiatives etc. Apart from this, various job sites give precise data about the company in the form of reviews like ‘GLASSDOOR’, ‘NAUKRI.COM’, ‘INDEED.COM etc.
- Brush yourself up before an interview-
You must be well-prepared before appearing for an interview. Pre-interview prep is a step to qualify for an interview. It is necessary to check if you match the skills required in the job description. To have an idea about the current affairs of the country and also in the marketplace. Prepare for common interview questions like – Tell me about yourself, Why should I hire you?, What are your strengths and weaknesses? etc.
You can find various videos, blogs on “how to answer some basic questions in a job interview”. Also, arrange your documents accordingly as they can be asked by the interviewer, which also shows how well-organized you are!.
- Ensure your resume is right-
More often than not, there are minor mistakes in one’s resume which are neglected. It is important to double-check the resume as the interviewer can pinpoint those mistakes which can be embarrassing for you. Do a critical checking of your resume for spelling mistakes, grammatical mistakes and check whether all the information is correct including the format.
- Dress Code-
It is important to dress professionally for a job interview. You can’t dress casually for it. The person should be in formal attire. The dress code for men and women varies accordingly-
- Dress Code For Men:
Shirts: You can wear light or solid coloured shirts for the interview. You can also opt for shirts with checks or stripes.
Suits or Blazers: If you own suits or blazers, go for it. But if you feel uncomfortable in the suit it is better not to wear it as the discomfort can affect your performance at the interview.
Bottom-wear: You can go for solid coloured pants like blue, brown or black which goes well with maximum colours. Avoid wearing trousers that have patterns or prints.
Accessories:
Tie- Wear a tie that matches your look. It is advisable to select the color and pattern of the tie according to your attire.
Watch: Wear a traditional watch and avoid wearing digital watches which can cause distraction whenever notifications pops-up.
Belt - Add some style to the attire by wearing a classic black or brown coloured belt.
Bag - Carry a laptop bag or office bag to carry the necessary documents with you.
Socks and Shoes: Avoid wearing sandals or sports shoes during an interview. Wear polished brown or black shoes. Wear socks that match your outfit.
Grooming: Men should have a clean shaved or trimmed beard look. Avoid getting a fancy hairstyle and opt for a neatly combed hairstyle.
- Dress Code For Women-
Traditional wear: Women can wear a decent traditional Kurti set or salwar kameez. The person should be able to carry the outfit well. They can also wear a plain cotton saree with solid or pastel colours.
Shirts: It is advised to wear a formal shirt with solid or pastel colour accompanying knee-length formal skirt or solid coloured trousers.
Suits: The person should be comfortable if she is wearing a suit or blazer.
Dress: The lady should wear a formal well-fitted dress which should be comfortable enough for her.
Footwear: Women can wear formal shoes or pumps with good solid or pastel colours. One should avoid wearing high heels if one is not comfortable with them.
Accessories and makeup: Women can carry handbag which helps them to carry all the documents required for the interview. The person should avoid applying too much makeup. Women can tie a ponytail or can opt for a well-combed hair look.
- Body language-
It is important to be conscious about your body language as it helps the interviewer to scale your confidence. Here are some important tips to improve your body language:
- Have a firm handshake with the interviewer.
- Make eye contact.
- Avoid shaking your legs, breaking your knuckles, biting your nails, playing with your hair, etc.
- Sit straight and comfortable.
- Be honest/ truthful-
“Honesty is the best policy”, you may have come across this phrase numerous times in your life. You must answer the questions honestly as making up answers or telling things that you have never done can stick you in an awkward situation. If you are not confident in your answers that can make you fumble, cause sweating, and can also result in improper body actions like biting your nails, etc.
- Don’t stress yourself-
The best thing you can do before an interview is to calm yourself. Don’t stress yourself worrying about the interview. Have proper sleep and food the night before the interview. You can also consider the interview as a learning experience for further interviews. Don’t stress yourself so much as it can hamper your confidence.
Tips from the expert-
It is advisable to take some tips from an expert who has a considerable amount of knowledge and is an expert in this field. One such personality is Mrs. Suneeta Pathak who has given some insights on how to ace an interview in a webinar conducted by the International School Of Management studies.
Below are the links for your perusal:
Credits
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