Interviewing

Attending an interview unprepared can become a nightmare that will haunt you for the rest of your professional career. You may possibly be the right person for the job in terms of knowledge and experience, but the interviewer may see otherwise if you can’t inspire the necessary confidence.

Convincing the interviewer that you are the right person for the job is not as simple as flashing a well written resume or talking glibly in industry jargon. Each position requires a specific set of attributes that weighs into the overall hiring criteria, so it is crucial to understand the exact requirement before you interview. This will help you build your case convincingly so you come across as a credible candidate who’ll blow the competition away!

Here are some pointers we believe will help you prepare yourself for maximum impact:

• Find a friend or family member you can practice and rehearse a mock interview session with before the big day. This will help take the edge off and make you appear more confident.

• Know how much salary you can command for the advertised position. Your recruiter can provide you with industry insights so you can arrive at an appropriate figure.

• Have examples of your greatest accomplishments so far that are relevant to the job you are applying for. This will help state your case for why you are the right person for the job.

• Research the organisation and the interviewer on the company website and LinkedIn. Get a feel for the business and the industry it operates in. Ask around about their work culture. Request a detailed description of the role and responsibilities. Find out who will be interviewing you. Prepare a list of relevant questions to ask the interviewer. By doing so, you will come across as someone who genuinely wants the job and is willing to go the extra mile to make a great impression.

• Maintain positive body language throughout. A firm handshake, consistent eye contact, and your undivided attention is absolutely essential to make a favourable impression.

• Relax and be yourself. If you’ve been shortlisted for an interview, it is because they have identified you as someone they are interested in hiring. Focus more on how you can add value to the organisation through the people-skills you bring to the job, and less on your expertise or experience garnered till date.