Preparing for an interview is always advised over not preparing for it. Before walking into an interview it is incumbent upon candidates to know about the company itself, the position they are giving interviews for, and the qualification required for the same. 

The job landscape has changed dramatically and the recruitment task has become severely complex with distinct screening methods including resume, test scores, educational qualification, working experience, etc. Given the high competition in employment candidates need to put their best foot forward and prepare for the interview. The modes of job interviews have also evolved. Earlier job interviews meant face-to-face interviews but at present Skype and Zoom video calls and telephonic interviews are predominantly being used to interview people for initial rounds. Oftentimes these video interviews last for about 40-60 minutes but telephonic interviews are relatively shorter. 

The importance of preparation in job interviews can be understood in terms of how well you know about the company, the role, and yourself. Since you are aiming to get hired for a particular role in a particular organization, it only makes sense to back yourself with the best interview you can give. 

Mastering the Art of Job Interviews

The art of job interviews is mostly rooted in some key areas that you should focus on including building confidence and making a great first impression, knowing about the company, the mission of the company, and the nitty-gritty of the role you are aiming to get hired at. 

Researching the Company

Before walking into an interview one should research the firm and have an understanding of the culture at the company, the company’s mission, and values. It is of great help during the interviews as most employers see this as you being interested in the role and it shows your involvement. 

Familiarizing yourself with the industry and competitors is another thing that should be a part of your interview prep. It provides you with clarity on various things associated with the company including products/services they offer, the latest developments and trends as well as your role at the company. 

Researching about recent news and developments at the company and govt. policy decisions that directly relate to the industry allow you to be better prepared for the interview. Research about the company allows you to tailor your responses to align with the company's goals and values which significantly improves your chances of getting hired. 

 Highlight Relevant Skills and Experiences

During the interview, you should always do your best to highlight your relevant skills and experiences that are best suited for the job and make you an ideal candidate for the role. This requires identifying key skills and experiences that match the job requirements.

You can note down the skills required for the job role and align your own skills to better prepare for the job. Another thing you can do to highlight the necessary skills is to prepare specific examples and anecdotes to showcase your abilities. Cases and scenarios from your past work experiences, some projects you worked on, or examples from your non-work like where you used the same skills. You can also try to connect your past achievements to the company's needs and your willingness to learn new skills that are better suited for the job role. Demonstrating adaptability can also be helpful. 

 Practicing Common Interview Questions

In interviews, as it happens, some of the questions being asked are pretty common and generally are about you as a person. Interviewers ask these questions to not just only check your communication skills but to understand you better as well. 

One should anticipate common interview questions such as ‘Tell me about yourself’, ‘Mention your strengths and weaknesses’, ‘Why did you leave your last job’, ‘Why do you want to join us’, ‘why do you think this position match to you and why do we offer this to you’, etc. and must prepare for them and practice these common interview questions and rehearse one’s responses to ensure clarity and confidence, beforehand. 

While preparing for the common interview questions, you can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) to structure your answers as crafting concise and compelling responses is the key to excelling at job interviews. 

Apart from research, preparing commonly asked questions, and practicing to highlight your relevant skills and experience, one should also focus on some interpersonal skills and how you present yourself in terms of greeting the interviewer(s) and making the first impression. Body language, speaking with confidence, and active listening are equally important and you must work on that as well. 

 Mastering Body Language

While preparing for interviews, you must also work on your body language and how you present yourself before the interviewer(s). Although face-to-face interviews are increasingly being replaced with Skype, Google Meet, and Zoom-based video interviews, mastering the art of body language is still relevant and can help you get favorable results in interviews. 

During interviews, body language is all about how you are seen as a professional. Non-verbal communication in interviews such as maintaining good posture and open body language, making eye contact, smiling, and using your hand gestures appropriately are some of the things you can work on. 

Building Confidence

Confidence is the key to ace any interview but it should not be confused with overconfidence. True confidence depends on recognizing your strengths and accomplishments and allowing yourself to be comfortable in your skin. You should also practice how confidently you respond to queries being asked, especially personal questions related to your weaknesses. 

Practicing mock interviews is a good way to build confidence. You can also get help from your friends and family members and request them to ask questions.

Another mantra for building confidence is Visualizing Success and Positive Outcomes. They say ‘You become what you believe’ and visualizing positive outcomes for yourself is a good start. Building a confident mindset through affirmations and positive self-talk is particularly helpful and allows you to confidently respond to all the queries being asked, no matter how difficult they are. The ‘You can do it’ mindset allows you to put your points across in a positive manner. Practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques as part of preparing for an interview is another way to feel at ease. It allows you to manage interview anxiety and stress effectively. 

Making a Strong First Impression

To do well at interviews, you might want to focus on some of the things that allow you to make a strong first impression, things like dressing professionally and appropriately for the role, arriving early and being punctual, greeting with a firm handshake and a friendly demeanor, and expressing enthusiasm and genuine interest in the opportunity. All of these things are carefully noticed by every interviewer and if you get these things right, you’re off to a great start.

Active Listening

While you are giving the interview, you must be an active listener because, as it happens, not paying attention to what the interviewer(s) is (are) saying not only messes up your responses but reflects poorly on you as a professional. So, paying attention and avoiding distractions is paramount. 

Demonstrating interest and engagement through nodding and verbal cues is another way to show that you care about getting the role and are excited about the company and your prospects there. You can ask thoughtful questions and seek clarification on some of the questions, as well as reflect and paraphrase to show understanding of the things being asked or discussed with you. 

These are some of the tips to master the art of job interviews. Preparing for job interviews is the best way to attend any job interviews and it involves doing research on the company and the role you are applying for. Knowledge of the industry and the latest news about the company as well as the latest developments in terms of national and international regulations or policy is a plus and helps you immensely. 

Continuous learning and improvement is a part of life and you should work on your weaknesses and hone your skills for better results. Confident body language, a strong first impression, the right mindset, active listening, and extensive research are some of the things that can keep you a step ahead of other candidates. 

• Last updated on Nov 10, 2023