A lot of how you perform in an interview depends on how well you prepare for it.
Many people will tell you that feeling nervous in an interview is ok, but I tell my students that they won’t feel nervous as much if they have prepared and rehearsed well.
One of the many mistakes that candidates make is randomly applying for job offers without knowing their strengths and values. I don’t mean to give any gyaan on values here, but it’s very important you spend some time doing the pre-work. Right now, you may feel that finding a job is difficult, but actually, the tough part is to sustain a job and achieve career success.
I am listing down 5 tasks you must tick off before applying for any job:
1. Know thyself. Take a self-evaluation test to know your strengths. By knowing your strengths, you will know which job opportunities will serve you best and also where you can add maximum value. (There are many free strengths finder websites – many have said that https://high5test.com/ is quite accurate and quick).
2. Review the JD (job description) thoroughly. No matter how desperate you are to get a job, never skip this step. Ask yourself if you are the right fit and do your skills match those mentioned in the JD. Carefully skim through the language and keywords used, it will help you align your answers during the interview as per the requirement.
3. Research the organization you want to join. You don’t want to end up joining an organization whose culture doesn’t align with your personality. Chances are you won’t be able to sustain for long. Know the values of the company, its mission, turnover, employee reviews, senior management, etc. Get an idea of the various lines of business it serves. Many hiring managers like to check if you have researched about the company before the interview.
4. Prepare a list of expected questions you may get asked. Note down the responses you will give. You need not memorize the answers but it’s good to remember key points. Refer to the JD/your experience/strengths to shape your answers accordingly. Craft your responses that create a balance between impressing the interviewer and the truth. You don’t want to sound too fluffy neither lie.
5. Practice. Practice. Practice. Find a friend who can do a mock interview with you. Create an interview-like environment, wear professional clothes, and practice. Record yourself and identify where and how you can improve and do better. If you can’t find someone to do the mock with you, rehearse the interview in front of a mirror.
Always show up prepared for an interview. Do thorough research on the company and its culture, know your strengths and how they align with the job description and be confident that you can add value.
I wish you the best in landing that dream job!
