Updated May 8, 2023
Introduction to Process Of Job Interview
The following article provides an outline for the Process Of Job Interview. How many times have you given an interview for the perfect job and thought that you nailed it? Many times. And how many times have you received a callback? Not so many, perhaps. A job interview can be stressful. Your entire professional past is put under a microscope and studied minutely. You can do many things to make sure you nail that job interview and leave a positive impression on the interviewer so that they remember you out of the hordes of others they may have interviewed.
First impressions are important. How do you impress an interviewer in the 30 seconds allotted to you? You obviously can’t rely on the ‘once they get to know me, they’ll like me’ technique. You need to buckle up and prepare seriously to make yourself stand out. Remember that the interviewer will probably meet many people with the same qualifications as you. How you behave in your interview will be the ultimate decider of who gets the job. This job interview may very well pen down the next few years of your life.
Never forget that the interviewer is also human. He/she also has certain beliefs and ideals. Human emotions play a factor, no matter how professional an environment is.
But it need not be as taxing as everyone makes it seem. We’ll show you what you can do to nail that interview for the job you’ve wanted for a long time.
20 Tips for the Process Of Job Interview
Given below are some important tips mentioned:
1. Do your Homework
You must know the company inside out. Do your research thoroughly. Google is your best friend. Know the names of the important people associated with the company and the important events. This process of the job interview will show that you are interested in the company and have a genuine interest in joining them.
You need not remember every minute detail, just the highlights. Find things that may be useful to you – like the dress code. Know the position you are applying for. You must know what the job entails and what is expected of you. You can use this information and ask intelligent and informed job interview questions.
2. Update your LinkedIn
You must keep your online presence up to date. Recruiters go through all your social media profiles, and many make a judgment based on that. While you are at it, make sure that you check out your interviewer’s LinkedIn profile for the process of a job interview. The more you know about them, the better you can decide how to proceed with your approach.
3. Dress Nicely
Lay your clothes out on the table the night before the job interview. Even though the dress code says semi-formal, make an attempt to look good. Wear proper, formal, and ironed clothes. As it is said, dress for the job you want. Put on some light makeup/shave. Spray on a spritz of light perfume (don’t bathe yourself in it, though). Pay attention to your shoes and polish them before bed. All these processes of the job interview will help you make a better first impression and let the interviewer know that you have put effort into job interview practice.
4. Warm-up
If you reach early and are nervous, go to the washroom and warm your hands under a hand dryer. You want your handshake to be something pleasant and not something the interviewer cringes away from. Dry and warm hands are good – clammy and cold hands are not.
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5. Know your CV
You should know your CV like the back of your hand. After all, it is you on paper. They may ask anything and everything from it. You must convince the interviewer that you can do the job you’ve applied for. Talk about your previous positions and what kind of work you’ve done. Print your CV and take a copy with you even though you’ve already emailed them one. This process of the job interview will make you look prepared. Think of this as an elaboration of your resume. You can elaborate on the carefully framed bullet points and boast about your achievements.
6. Small Talk is Good
When you first enter, greet your job interview with a firm handshake and a smile. You can start off with a polite and formal job interview conversation. Talk about a few recent events and climate change. Don’t go overboard with the small talk. Try to connect with the interviewer on a personal level. This will put both of you at ease. Maybe he or she stays in the same area you used to stay in as a kid, or maybe the interviewer attended the same school as you did. These will make you more likable. Try to introduce humor to dissipate some of the tension. ‘How are you?’ You can reply by saying, ‘Goal-oriented, thank you.
7. But don’t Digress
Don’t enter an entirely different zone and get way too comfortable with the interviewer. Time is precious for both of you. Ask a job-related question if you think the conversation isn’t going anywhere to bring it back on track. Your interviewer will also appreciate this, and the conversation will head where it is supposed to be headed.
8. Body Language
Watch your body language. Don’t slouch or crack your knuckles in front of the interviewer. Avoid crossing your arms, as this makes you appear defensive. Stop fiddling with your pen. This will make your interviewer uncomfortable, and they can see how restless you are. Take a deep breath to calm yourself. Drink some water beforehand to calm your nerves. Always maintain eye contact (not in a creepy way). Forget you have a phone. Switch it off if you can’t stop looking at it during the job interview process.
9. Ask Questions
No matter how much you want a job, it is important to know the grittiness of the job position before you say yes. Clarify any doubts you may have with the interviewer so that you are not in for a surprise when you join the company. How much time would you have to dedicate to this job? What does the company expect out of you? Does the company promise a promotion within a year of the job? Do they offer incentives? Ask these job interview questions to clear the doubts in your mind without any hesitation. This job interview process will show the interviewer that you value your time and are invested in personal growth and a mutually advantageous partnership.
10. Maintain Eye Contact
This is very important. Eye contact can show whether a person is weak or strong. If you hold direct eye contact, you exude confidence and high self-esteem. Keeping eye contact also lets the interviewer know you are interested in listening to what he or she is saying. This tip will help you come out with flying colors and make you one step closer to bagging the position.
11. Learn to Read Facial Cues
Most people don’t understand facial cues, and that causes an understanding rift between the interviewer and the interviewee. If the interviewer locks eyes with you after you’ve answered, they are waiting for you to elaborate. If the interviewer looks at you expectantly, you can ask questions for clarification. However, if the interviewer looks troubled, they may have been dragged in between work to conduct an interview.
You can help by saying, ‘I appreciate you taking out time from your busy schedule to meet up with me. I hope I am not interrupting any important task.’ It can be the case that the interviewer isn’t even aware that they look annoyed.
12. Rehearse
Ensure you know the answers to an interviewer’s general questions, but don’t make it sound like you have memorized them. Be prepared for all possible kinds of job interview questions. They may ask you, ‘What is your greatest job interview weakness?’ Spin your weaknesses into strengths and come out with a winner. They may ask you questions like ‘How do you react under stress?’ Practice your responses. Pen down a few bullet points so that your responses sound clear and to the point but not programmed.
13. Take your Time
If an interviewer asks you a question, answer after a few seconds. (But don’t pause so long that the interviewer thinks you’re retarded). When you answer, your reply will sound more articulate and well-thought-out. You will also sound more confident.
14. Never Talk Negatively about Previous Employers
Good employees don’t badmouth. If they ask why you left your old job, be honest but diplomatic. Say you were looking for a change and you had got everything you could out of your old job. This is a good answer; it tells your potential employer you are inclined towards growth. If you do not have a positive reply to this question, try to make it sound like you ended on good terms. Under no conditions should you talk badly about your previous company.
15. Be Punctual
Always arrive 30 minutes prior to the assigned time. Would you risk missing an interview that is a potential life-changer? I think not. Calculate the time from your home to the office. Add in the time you would spend looking for the official venue and if you get lost. Plan to arrive half an hour earlier. Always!
16. Talk about your Key Strengths
You must know your skills. Don’t shy away from talking about them. This is your chance to shine- they want to know what you are good at. Talk about what you are good at, what skill sets you possess, and what you really like doing. Talk about the projects you’ve worked on and how you overcame the difficulties you faced. Additionally, discuss your weaknesses too. Talk about your weaknesses in such a way that they appear in a more positive light. For instance, “No, I do not know C++, but I am willing to learn.”
17. Be Yourself
Yes, I know that you want this job. But be yourself. Don’t pretend to be someone you are not. If you think a job is out of your skillset, say it. Tell them you are willing to learn, but if it is way outside your domain, say it as well. You do not want to be stuck in a job you are not good at. Answer questions with confidence and let your true self shine through.
18. Mirror their Movements
Mirror your recruiter’s hand gestures. This shows that you are on the same page. Doing this does not mean that you copy everything they do. It is a subtle art that takes time to master. If they cross their legs, move yours too; if they stand up, follow suit. But don’t come across and copy them, which will be very disturbing.
19. Exude Confidence
Confidence is a key factor in deciding whether or not you bag the process of the job interview. It leaves a lasting impression. They want to hire a person who is positive and can get work done. When you step into the interview room, make sure you have a warm smile and a welcoming personality alongside a polished appearance. Be calm and remind yourself that an interviewer is also a person who is also looking forward to adding a new member to the team.
20. Follow Up
So you’ve given the interview, and it all went rosy. Good for you. Before leaving, ask them what the normal time frame is for them to decide on a candidate. Now, it is your job to follow up and call them. Not a lot of people do this. Email the interviewer, thanking them for their time. This will make you stand out since the interviewers know who sent them a thank you and who didn’t. Once the week ends, email them a friendly email asking if they have chosen a candidate. If you get no reply, move on.
First Image source: pixabay.com
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