Interview Tips

No matter how good you are, it’s that moment of truth in the Board room that can decide the fate of your career. Selling yourself in the Board room could be an arduous task and you need to prepare yourself well in advance to prove your metal. Here are some of the key interview tips that can help you a great deal while you are quizzed by the interviewer.

Do a thorough Research of the Company - Research and gather all the possible information about the company and its services. Prepare yourself for questions such as “Why do you want to work for this company”, “What do we do?”, and/or “Tell us something about our history or past performances”. You should even search through the annual report of the company and must have an idea about its financial performance including its revenue, sales, and profits.  

Read and Understand the Job Description - Before entering the Board room, make sure you understand the profile you are called for. Understand all responsibilities of the job and if you are unclear, then do not hesitate to contact the HR of the company for a description of the job. It is highly important that you know what skills and experience are required to perform a particular job.

Prepare the Answers - Some questions are very general and are applicable to any interview. These include “Tell us about yourself” or “What do you know about our company?” Prepare yourself right answers before the interview and even practice them with a friend or in front of a mirror. This will help you ace through the interview. 

Study your Resume - An interviewee at times might forget what she/he has written on his/her resume. Hence, it is highly advisable to re-read your resume and its most relevant parts. 

Wear the Right Attire - This is of high importance particularly to jobs that involves direct client interaction like sales and marketing. Thus, it’s highly important for you to wear the most appropriate attire which is neat and clean.

Be on Time - The saying ‘first impression is last impression’ could be true with respect to time specially. If you arrive late on interview, then interviewer is likely to start interview with negative vibes. However, if you know that you are going to be late or not appearing for the interview, then it is always better to inform the interviewer through phone.

Body Language - Do not hesitate and give yourself time to adjust to new faces and surroundings. Try to stay calm and maintain eye contact with the interviewer when interacting. Listen to the entire question before answering and if you have not understood something, then it is better to ask for it again.

Do not Complain – Okay! So you might have faced heavy traffic or you were unable to get a good night sleep because of a long journey, or whatever the case was. Your interviewer is not interested in those stories. Do not let a complaining air to set in the tone for your interview.

Do not be Rude - Try and avoid any rudeness that might prevail in your interaction and in case you were rude accidently, then immediately apologize and move on to the next question. Finally, if you are not good at cracking jokes or seizing the right moment of humor, then do not attempt it, and further avoid making unnecessary comments about a sensitive topic.   

Be Positive - Do not try and make any negative remarks or comments about your past experience or employer. Always try and show what you have learnt from your experiences. Appreciate that.

Do not Lie - Try and not speak anything that is untrue or is a lie. It could be tempting but rarely pays in an interview.

Showcase your Knowledge about your previous Companies and Accomplishments - It is important that you create a web when answering questions. Try and relate your answers to your previous companies, jobs, and/or your accomplishments. This will help you showcase your suitability for the desired position to the recruiters.

Interact with the Interviewer - Most interviews often become a series of questions and answers and many people become pale or nervous, once they enter a Board room. Remember, interviewers are not just looking for people with desirable skill sets but are also looking for personalities that can fit in an office environment. The easiest way to release your tension is to see the interviewer as any other person and make your interview as a two way interaction.

Ask Questions – Finally, make yourself versed with a list of appropriate questions to ask the employer about the company and position applied/called for. This not just showcases your confidence, but also gives you a better insight of the company. 

We hope that by adhering to the aforementioned job tips you are able to succeed in your interview. Moreover, you have a better and enriching experience while interacting with prospective employers than ever before. For more and regular mentorship, join our KPO Foundation as member.

For additional guidance, please view Sample Interview Questions