(Pic
Credit: FutureFuel.io)
Jobs are scarce. More so in the
current distressed economic distress. Then there are, if not millions, at least hundred of thousand of candidates after
them. Most candidates possess the same skills as you. Sometimes even superior.
So how do you stand out? As every
resume is almost the same, where is your
edge?
If you make it to
the interview stage, then congratulations. But, don’t rest assured. There are
still dozens of the top competitors having as great credentials as you have.
The key is to sell yourself in the
interview.
Like many other
things, the interview process has gone online. It does not matter if the
interview is offline or online. Basic thumb
rules to crack it are the same.
Research
the company, job and people
It is easier to
have a conversation, if you know someone. Same applies to the interview. If you
have researched the company, its businesses, its vision and mission statements,
general policies, etc. you will be able to align
your skills to company requirements. More specific research can also reveal
detailed job requirements, the work culture and probably the interview panel
itself. Knowing about their general
likes and interests can help you navigate tricky questions.
Practice
and Repeat
The more you perspire in peace, the less you bleed in war! This age-old saying never fails. Check for important interview
questions on various online forums. Find trick questions - general and job
specific. Write their answers, review them and practice them. You’ll have to own the answers to be able to reply under stress. Ask a friend or mentor to
help you practice.
Organize
documents
Your application,
Resume, marksheets, degree & diploma certificates, industry certificates,
references, academic and industrial project reports, photographs of
models/projects undertaken. These are some important documents which you might need to show during an
interview. If your file is cluttered, your documents may fall over, or you may
fumble in locating them. So arrange all docs in most recent first order and remember their relative location or tag them.
Dress
well
Selecting an
appropriate dress is very important. It will leave your first impression. It should be comfortable, well-fitted, ironed,
and clean. Tie is not necessary but is recommended. Shoes must be formal and
polished. Ladies shall avoid too many
accessories or too loud prints or designs. Even for online interviews, you should not be in casuals. Dressing up
will help you boost confidence as well as give a better impression about your professionalism.
Reach
Early
For offline
interviews, reach the venue at least 30 to 15 minutes in advance. You might
need to fill-up some additional forms, or undergo some security clearances. You may have traffic jams on the way. Try to recce the venue at least a few days
beforehand, if in the same city.
For online interviews, set up the equipment
and test the Internet connection at least 30 minutes and then again 10 minutes
before the scheduled time. Download and test all required software. Find a
secluded room with no distractions and
noise. Choose a spot with proper
lighting. Use earphones for better audio.
Solid
references help
If you have any
good references, you may list them on your resume. Check with your references, before you mention them. Your teachers
who guided a project. Your supervisors
at internships or summer jobs. Your manager at the NGO you volunteered at.
These showcase you mean business. If
they provide you with a recommendation letter, that’s much better. Sometimes,
seniors can identify and convey those traits in you, which even you are not
aware of.
Pay
attention, Paraphrase and Ask questions
When you pay
attention, you understand better.
Still, there may be things or points that may skip you in the first go. Paraphrase to get them cleared up. You
can use phrases like, ‘So you want to know “How the combustion of ...”’, or ‘to
be clear about the objectives, you stated “We have to show empathy with the
client while remaining professional”’. This subtly also shows-off your analytical skills, communication, hold on language and ability to ask
even from superiors.
Interview is not
a one-way street. It’s an exchange of
ideas and views. So ask relevant questions. It’s better to ask question and give the correct reply, than to be
overconfident and prove stupid. Probe
politely to understand the critical aspects affecting your package, job
role, expectations of you and your career path.
Think
and remain calm
Responding to
questions quickly is well regarded. but don’t
jump the gun. Take a pause of 2-5 seconds before starting to reply. This
gives you composure and a chance to organize your thoughts in a
lucid manner. No one likes an excited person whose feathers can be ruffled
easily. During your reply take very
short pauses of not more than 3-5 seconds. This helps in gathering the
thoughts mid-way.
Non-verbal
communication matters
Body language,
way of walking, gestures, posture, facial expressions and voice tone all affect
your interview. More than the spoken
word, sometimes. These can tell the panel if you are confident or under-prepared, calm or confused, balanced or ruffled.
When you enter the room, greet everyone with a smile. Sit comfortably without making a fuss. Look directly at the person
who’s asking the question. While replying make
eye-contact with everyone on the panel. A little more with the one who put
the question. Keep the tone balanced but
assertive.
Show
interest not desperation
Always show
optimism in joining the organization. But don’t show desperation. It will reduce your negotiating power. Give
them a realistic target and timeline. Don’t raise their expectations that you
cannot meet. Nor agree to unrealistic
demands to land the job at any cost. Both will affect your job-satisfaction
and performance adversely in the long-term.
Express
optimism in team, vision and your role in it
A new member is
brought in to infuse new vision, ideas
and hope to the team. As a prospective member, show your optimism. Discuss
the outline of your contribution that you will make to the team. Align your skills with the team
dynamics. Your research could help sell you how well suited are for the
organization.
Don’t
bad-mouth your previous employer
If you have been
previously employed, then never bad-mouth about them. Even if the boss was
horrible. Or the work environment was not so friendly. Or the policies were
regressive. What you say is more about
you and not about the others. If you were in a bad relationship then no one
forced you to continue it. A new team is more interested in how you handled adverse situations.
What steps did you take to bring to notice the wrongs and correct them? What
positive policy changes you brought that made the workplace smarter and
efficient? If you can narrate this with
a positive outcome, you’ll come out as a changemaker.
Don’t
stall, instead think aloud
Sometimes when we
can't gather our thoughts, we stall. Or fumble. Or utter fillers like ‘umm’,
‘so...’, ‘I mean to say..’, etc. Never do that. Practice will come handy here. Start practicing thinking aloud.
During the interview when you get stuck, think aloud, giving a piece of your
mind to the panel. They’ll come to know your analysis process. How you put pieces together. And how do you
involve team members in your thought process.
Tell
stories but be brief
Everyone loves a
story. It connects the dots. It is
easy to understand, grasp and remember. This is not a fictional story. But a
story like narration of real work and life experiences. The moral of the story
should align with the skills you project.
The story would be relatable only if it is true. Then, there should be a
critical situation that you helped manage.
Express
gratitude
When the
interview is over. Give a heartfelt
thank you to the panel for the opportunity to present yourselves. It is
courteous. Shows that you are calm and composed. A positive attitude and polite behaviour can
go a long way in impressing people.
Follow-up
A follow-up can be in the form of a
conventional thank-you card or an email. Show your gratitude to the people on
panel. To the hiring manager, especially. Mention very politely and subtly how
you’ll be a good fit for the team.
This will refresh your interview in
their minds and will solidify your
position.
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