Preparing for an Interview

Tips to Help You in the Professional Battlefield

by Benjamin Roussey

The business world has been taken over by professionals possessing a competitive mindset in which the concept of “survival of the fittest” has become the cardinal driving force. Be it schools, colleges, offices or even playgrounds and homes, the one who wins is often the one who can instill and radiate confidence. Interviews are the first stepping stones in a person’s journey to a successful career. A great personal interview can propel someone to great heights. So take job interviews very seriously.

Fears Conquered

For many prospective interviewees, the mere thought of an interview can send shivers down their spines. The high unemployment rate certainly doesn’t help, as most jobs are sought after by a large amount of applicants. Maybe they are highly qualified with excellent skills, but the fear that they might somehow upset the interviewer or not fulfill the expectations of the company often results in an unintended breakdown during the interview. The job which was best suited for them can end up going to someone who shows more confidence during the interview. One must always remember that a deficiency in qualifications can be covered by the amount of confidence shown.

Before the Interview

Before you head in to the interview, make sure that you have a general idea about the company. Research details. This will give you an advantage over the rest. Collect information like the company’s expectations of its employees, their objectives and activities etc. Other miscellaneous information, such as when the company was established, size of the client base, past growth and future potential goes a long way in impressing the interviewer.

Here is a list of some questions you should expect:

• Please describe your career history.
• List out your short and long term goals, and how you are preparing yourself to achieve them.
• How do you expect the company to help you in your career path?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• What is your greatest strength? Weakness?
• We have a vast employee base, with maybe better skills than you. Why do you think you are better suited for the job?
• Why did you leave your previous job?

These are some of the most common questions. Prepare for them well. Here are some other tips when preparing for an interview:  Prepare a list of people you can cite as references. Work on your body language, and remember to keep proper eye contact during the interview. Be confident. Say to yourself that you are the best man for the job. Having self-confidence helps a lot. Decide your outfit for the next day and go to bed early the day before.

Normally an interview is held in various stages:

• Written test: includes questions based on your skill set and how you would contribute to the company. Answer the ones you know well first.
• Group discussion: This interview round determines your qualities as a leader. You are given a topic and then asked to discuss it. Remember to take the initiative. Always introduce yourself first, then move from advantages of the topic to the disadvantages.
• Telephone interview: A very crucial stage, phone interview can help you boost your confidence during the interview. The interviewer is not in front of you, so be confident.
• Personal interview: The final stage. All your preparations come down to this. Be confident and make sure to highlight your qualities and strengths. Do not forget to thank the interviewer for the opportunity that was given to you.

Looking Professional

What you wear makes a lot of impact when you go for your job interview. How you look on the exterior establishes a perspective about you. You should be neat and crisp; your shirt should be ironed. Stains should be avoided at all costs. Make sure that you accessorize yourself properly for the interview. Another thing to keep in mind is your scent. Light cologne would be your best choice. If it gets too strong, it is sure to affect your position adversely during the interview.