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Ace the job interview - A checklist

Ace the job interview - A checklist

The interviewer is meeting up few candidates to see, who is best suited for the vacancy. Job interview is a situation where you need to sell yourself and convince the interviewer that you are the right fit for the job.
Preparation is the most important step as it will help you walk into the interview with confidence. Preparation and practice reduces the fear of unknown. It helps you to put the best possible self forward.
Sound humble and be open minded during the interview.
It is a time to showcase your abilities, skills and attitude suitable to the job and how you are better than the rest. Help the interviewer to choose you over others. A quick checklist for Interview preparation will help you to stay ahead.
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A. Prepare for the interview
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• Know thyself - You are a product and should be always prepared to answer the hard questions irrespective of interview
• Understand the interview process
• Review the job description - Understand the role, description, , qualification and experience needed for the job
• Research the company - Know about the company, industry, competition, financials etc
• Know the interviewer - Check online profile. Use network
• Practice the hard questions
- Tell me about yourself
- Know your strengths and weakness
- Situational question (How you handle/improve/achieve..).
- Practice and rehearse (Take your network support to prepare)
- Be ready to answer salary questions
- Be ready to share reference check names
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B. Perform during the Interview
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The interview is a conversation and the interviewer needs to uncover your abilities and skills. Relax and be natural. Be prepared to talk about yourself, show relevant skills and experience in your discussions. Tell your real life stories briefly and bring out your abilities, skills etc. Be authentic in your replies. Be confident, but not arrogant. Be enthusiastic and positive.
• Firm handshake - Give a firm handshake before taking the seat.Carry copies of resume for handover to the interviewer
• Body language - Make eye contact during discussion
• Delivery - Stay calm. Be yourself, natural and authentic in your replies. Be truthful and do not fake. Answer the questions with real life success stories with action, results achieved, lessons learnt. Each question is an opportunity to be memorable and fabulous.
• Ask your questions at the end of Interview
• Thank the interviewer before leaving the room
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C. Follow up after the interview
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• Send a Thank you note
• Follow up on the interview status.
• Find out why you were not successful and then improve upon
Photo Adaptation / Pixabay / terovesalainen-809550
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The interview is a game and practice can boost the performance

Taking time to think and writing an answer to the interview question will help you prepare the script. Writing a response sharpens your thought process and gives an opportunity to review the response and make improvement to the script. You don’t need to memorize the answer.

Thinking through, writing and reviewing the response to the interview questions increases preparedness, boosts the confidence and reduces anxiety. It builds up a repertoire of stories for easy retrieval and you can now focus on delivery during the actual interview. Your confidence spirals upwards with each answer and increases the chances of a better outcome.

Prepare well before the interview. Know the common interview questions. Learn the dos and don’ts. Write, practice and improve your specific response either by yourself or by feedback from a family member or a colleague or a teacher. You will gain mastery through practice.

As they say, if you want to be good at something, then you must practice to learn, and grow.