Shumona had been applying for a job for a few months with no luck. She found the experience nerve-racking—from completing the application to the interview process. With practice, however, she was becoming more confident and self-assured but often wished there was a way to make the job hunt less of a slog.
Shumona discovered that it’s important to develop thick skin—rejection is a natural part of every job hunt. You might not be right for a job, and a job might not be right for you. One way to take some of the stress out of the process is to prepare for the inevitable interview.
Practice might not equip you with the answer to every question, but it can make you less anxious about answering them. You can also learn how to present yourself well and project the right attitude to gain the attention of your recruiter. Let’s look at a few ways to master the best job interview techniques.
What Recruiters Want
You can make a strong first impression by creating an impressive resume and cover letter. Follow the organization’s guidelines for your application—you don’t want to look inattentive.
A successful job application starts with the basics. Here are a few points to consider:
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Relevancy Matters
Choose the right job for you. In general, recruiters like to see candidates who demonstrate relevant experience in specific jobs or roles.
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Highlight Your Qualifications
Some recruiters prefer job candidates with formal education, while others prefer candidates who have relevant experience. Make sure you highlight the best qualifications in your cover letter and resume.
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Don’t Be Sloppy
Proofread your application. It’s essential that all documents are free of grammatical mistakes. This is often overlooked by candidates but attention to detail is one of the most successful interview techniques.
If you don’t stand out from the crowd, you’ll be overlooked for the roles you want. If you have these basics in place, you’ve already made a solid start with good interview techniques!
Prepare For Any Questions
Strong interview techniques start with being prepared. Learn the typical interview questions so you can have an answer for most of them. If you don’t plan ahead, you could find yourself stumped.
Here are a few areas in which you can arm yourself:
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Answering Questions Logically
It’s critical that you’re able to answer questions without obvious stress. Not only will you be viewed as the intelligent candidate in the interview but you’ll also be viewed as a confident person who’s ready to be questioned. A tip to remember is: avoid using jargon.
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Create A Pre-interview Checklist
Be prepared with facts to show why you would be a good fit for the organization. Try to remember key pieces of information from the job ad. Such details can help you answer a few typical questions that the recruiter may ask you. For example, if you’ve worked in the same industry, a recruiter may be interested in knowing how you solved a problem faced by your current employer. The best interview techniques start with research. Read everything you can about the company, its competitors and the market it operates in.
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Rehearse Unexpected Questions
Unexpected questions in a job interview will test your interview skills. Interviewers will want to see that you’re versatile and that you’ll be able to improvise under pressure. If you’re able to focus on the job at hand and navigate your way through a potentially uncomfortable situation, you’ll be more likely to secure a position.
Remember that no one wants to work with someone who isn’t sure they want the job. An interview is your chance to convince the company that you’re the best candidate. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.
Final Interview Techniques
Now that you have the core interview preparation tips, here are a few final pointers to make your interview techniques shine:
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Always Follow Up
After your application has been received, a hiring manager may contact you. Responding to all follow-up emails and phone calls is important. Sending a thank you email after the interview is also good practice.
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Dress For Success
Getting a job isn’t just about what you say, it’s about how you carry yourself. Selecting the right clothes for your interview is vital. Find out what the dress code at the organization is and choose your outfit accordingly.
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Project Confidence
Staying relaxed with good posture will communicate a sense of poise. Fidgeting, not being able to maintain eye contact and fiddling with your phone or other belongings are to be avoided at all costs.
You’ll be surprised at how preparation can chase the nerves away. Learn all the tips and tricks of job interview techniques with Harappa’s Ace The Interview course. There’s nothing that succeeds like confidence when it comes to interviews, and that’s exactly what the course gives you. You’ll learn how to project your personality, talents and skills to your potential employer through your calm, level and inspiring presence. Ace that interview today!
Explore topics such as General HR Interview Questions, How To Improve Interviewing Skills, Pre-Interview Preparation, Interview Tips For Freshers & What Is An Exit Interview from Harappa Diaries and crack your next interview.