How to face an Interview : An Article

 How to face an interview: An Article  Article: How to Prepare for a Successful Job Interview - Preparing for a job interview can be nerve-w...

 How to face an interview: An Article

 Article: How to Prepare for a Successful Job Interview -

Preparing for a job interview can be nerve-wracking, but with the right approach and mindset, you can increase your chances of success. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to face an interview and ace it, and in this article we are going to discuss all the detailed requirements, one has to prepare before facing an interview. Especially, we are going to discuss very minute details to be prepared by the Freshers, because it is their first interview, and it is very obvious to become a bit nervous. So, we are going to cover every single detail, and these steps appear very negligible, but in practice, it really work.

1. Confirmation for an interview: As soon as you get an e-mail or a phone call from a company, you are supposed to be present for an interview, some companies need a confirmation from you, that you will be present for an interview. The company just wants to confirm that what would be the exact number of aspirants, so that they can prepare for the required set-up. If you don't confirm your availability, then you may not get a chance to face the interview. So, confirm your availability. 

2. Preparing the File or a Folder: This is the second requirement one has to prepare, that is a file or a folder. In this file, you must have the following documents, preferably, laminated :

a) 10th or S.S.C Marksheet.

b) 12th or H.S.C. Marksheet, different certificates of participation like Sports, Debate, Science modules, Specific Projects, or any certificate that shows your skills in different disciplines during your school life. ( These certificates will add an extra dimension to your personality that you have been active in a particular field since your schooling.

c) Graduation or Post- post-graduation mark sheets of all the semesters, and other certificates of participation or appreciation in different activities that you have undertaken during your college life. Don't forget to attach your internship project or assessments.

d) Work Experience if any. ( Though for a small period like a month or two).

e) Other Essential Documents - Copy of a Resume or C.V. submitted to a company, Aadhar Card, PAN card, Bank Account Details, Recent Passport size Photograph, Passport ( If you have one), at least one set of photocopies or Xerox ( sometimes attested copies), or any particular document asked by the company. ( It is very necessary to read the call letter or E-mail very carefully)

f) Any Remarkable Achievement - If you have achieved something remarkable or highly appreciated in any field, like, Singing, Dancing, Small Craft, Debate, Speech, Sports, Acting, Social Activities, Environmental Activities, Conservation of Natural Resources, or Physical Fitness Activities, because every skill has got its own value.

For example, You are a regular Yoga practitioner, and you don't mention anything in your CV or don't attach its certificate,( though you may have any document to prove it), but remember, it's an added advantage. They may say like this in Hindi," Are Bhai, aap to Yoga expert hai, hamare company ke karmchariyon ko iski sakht jarurat hai, thoda sust aur dull ho gaye hai, aap jab join kar loge to inko thodasa sikha dena, taki inka aalas kam ho! ( Meaning, in English, " Great man, you are a Yoga practitioner, and employees of our company desperately need Yoga, because they have become a little bit lazy and dull, and as soon as you join the company, start teaching them so that they will become more active and energetic)

3. Find the location or a Vanue of an Interview: If you are supposed to appear for an interview in the same city where you belong then there is no problem with the location or a venue because you are already aware of the geographical condition of the city, even if do not know, you can ask to family members, friends, or relatives. The problem comes when you are appearing for an interview in a new city, and if you are not known to the city. For example, the location is Mumbai, and you are from Indore, and you have never been to Mumbai, so it will be difficult for you to trace the location. However, you can take the help of G.P.S. sometimes because of any reason the said system is not working properly( Poor Network, Battery Low, Insufficient Recharge). In that case, it is advisable to see or trace the location for a day or two, because by that you will come to know, the exact location, shortest route, and available means of conveyance like a taxi, cab, or bus. Even, if possible, you could lodge in a hotel that is very near your desired location or venue, so that, you can avoid unwanted circumstances.

4. Grooming your personality, and Dress Appropriately: Choose professional attire that reflects the company culture you may avoid T-shirts and Jeans, prefer a formal shirt and trousers or a pant, wear a tie, if you are habitual to it, and have a proper haircut, trim your beard if you are wearing a beard, and polish your shoes, preferably leather shoes. ( Avoid sports shoes or any other shoe) Dressing appropriately shows that you respect the interview process and take the opportunity seriously. You should look responsible and mature personality.

5. Research the Company: Before the interview, take the time to research the company. Learn about its history, mission, values, products/services, and recent developments. It is the most crucial part of an interview, and many aspirants make the mistake that they need to research the company. For example, first, consider that the company is not operating well and it has certain problems and maybe the company is looking for an individual who will be their problem solver, in this case, if you sincerely study those problems and find out the proper solutions of it, then you will confident enough, because it is for sure that, the company will definitely ask those questions and as you know the solutions, then the chances are more that you can crack the interview.

In the second case, if the company is doing great, and wants to expand, then also faces many challenges, so you can prepare accordingly. It is always good to know about the company, its know-how, strong and weak zones, different policies of the company, and so on.  This will demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the position.

6. Understand the Job Description: Carefully read the job description to understand the requirements and responsibilities of the role. Tailor your responses during the interview to highlight how your skills and experience align with what the company is looking for.

7. Practice Common Interview Questions or a Mock Interview: Prepare answers to common interview questions such as “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want to work here?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Practice your responses aloud to feel more confident during the interview. For the preparation of a mock interview, you can take the help of your family members, friends, or relatives, it will correct your mistakes, and you will come to know the perfect way to express yourself, if you are missing anything, you can add it to your answers and so on. Rehearsal of the Mock Interview always gives the best results. So, it is advisable that one must go for it.

8. Have your breakfast: It is good to have a proper breakfast before leaving home, because many times it is observed that if the number of aspirants is more, it may possible that you will have to wait for your turn till 2-3P.M. and if you did not have your breakfast, then you may not feel comfortable enough for an interview, and at the same time you will not be in a position to leave the premises and have your breakfast, so it is good to have proper breakfast ( Don't go for a new one or different one, have one of which you are used to).

9. Reaching the Venue, and Arrive Early: Now you are actually reaching the venue, and here your behavior should be kind, helpful, and affectionate enough because you will be under surveillance, and it may possible that your each and every activity is being watched like, how you walk, behave with receptionists, with your competitors. Many times, an individual may have a rude kind of behavior with the other aspirants, though they are your competitors, your friendly nature is recommended, and always think that May the best get a job! Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early for the interview. This will give you time to compose yourself and fill out any necessary paperwork.

10. Entering the Cabin: Before entering the cabin, it is advisable to ask permission, May, I come in, Sir! and when you enter the cabin, you should wish each member of the interview panel and unless asked to sit, one must not sit. These are very small things but it creates a huge impact. 

11. Tell us something about yourself or Introduce yourself: This is the most crucial part of an interview, if you properly execute this part, then you could win the episode because this will create a first and last impression on the interviewers. Here, we are taking an example of an individual in the Computer Science discipline whose name is Sunil Verma and he is from Indore.

Sample Interview Conversation:

Interviewer: Good morning, Are you  Sunil Verma?

Sunil: Good morning, Yes, Sir, I am Sunil Verma, thank you very much for having me.

Interviewer: Let's start by discussing your background and experience.

Sunil: Certainly, Sir!

Interviewer: O.K. Mr. Sunil, tell us something about yourself?

Sunil: Thank you very much for allowing me to introduce myself. My name is Sunil Verma, I belong to Indore which is the cleanest city in India and I am proud of it. Sir, I recently graduated from ( Name of the College and University) with excellent yearly grades. During my college days, I realized the importance of computer languages such as C, C++, Java, and Python, so I tried to master these languages, and using these languages I have undertaken many projects under the guidance of faculties.

During my internship, I implemented all these strong theoretical concepts into the practical settings of the project requirement and successfully completed the election campaign application.

Besides, a strong conceptual understanding of computer science, I equally participated in different activities such as I captained the college valley ball team and representing my university, also I was a good debater, so possess excellent communication skills. I am a quick learner, specializing in performing better under pressure.

Interviewer: That sounds interesting, I think you are a multi-dimensional personality. Good, but, Sunil, we are looking for a candidate who has an excellent convincing ability to sell our product to foreign clients besides a strong theoretical background.

Sunil: Sure Sir, before appearing for an interview, I did detailed research and its mode of operation, and found that the company clients majorly from Germany, you will be glad to know, that I have a good touch with the German language. It wouldn't be a great deal for me, I need to practice a couple of clients and I will make it.

Interviewer: I think, you are tailor-made for this job. But at the same time, I would like to know, about your weakness, or you don't have any?

Sunil: No, Sir, Like everybody else, I do have my weakness, because nobody is perfect in the world. Sir, my weakness is that, when I work in a team, and when my teammates do not perform well, and because of that I cannot finish my task within the prescribed limit, I get irritated, and sometimes lose my temper. But, Sir, I am working on it, and soon I will overcome it. I assure you, Sir.

Interviewer: Actually, it requires great courage to accept weakness. That's great, Sunil. I am really impressed with your honesty, and qualities. O.K. Sunil, Now tell me, How do you stay updated on new technologies and trends in the software engineering field?

Sunil: I regularly attend workshops, conferences, and online courses to stay updated on the latest developments. I also enjoy participating in online forums and engaging with the developer

Interviewer: Thank you for sharing that. Do you have any questions about the company or the role?"

 Sunil: Yes, Sir, I'm interested in learning more about the exact mode of operation of the company so that I can prepare accordingly.

Interviewer:  Laughs, I like your confidence, and provides essential information. 

Candidate: Thank you for clarifying that. I appreciate the insights.

Interviewer: Well, Sunil, speaking with you today was a pleasure. We'll be in touch soon regarding the next steps in the hiring process.

Candidate: Thank you for the opportunity. I look forward to hearing from you, and Have a Good Day, Sir!

12. Why should we hire you: This is the most important question in every interview, generally asked at the end, so be prepared to discuss your technical skills, projects you’ve worked on, and any relevant experience. Provide examples of how you’ve successfully solved problems or contributed to previous projects, but always keep in mind that whatever you are going to express must be relevant and appropriate to your candidature, meaning it must not more or less, but it must reflect your personality and show what exactly you are. In other words, you can express yourself in the following manner, such as, ( This is given as an example, you can incorporate your strong points, skills, and abilities, that perfectly suit your personality)

" I have a strong theoretical background and in-depth knowledge of the subject, I am a quick learner, have strong leadership quality, excellent communication skills, I like to face new challenges, and the key factor is I perform better under pressure, have a good physique and ability to perform and execute the given task within the prescribed time limit. My qualities are in line with the job description, and I am eager to implement my mastered concepts into the practical settings of the company for overall progress and betterment of the company".

 

13. Practice Good Body Language: During the interview, maintain eye contact, sit up straight, and avoid fidgeting. Good body language conveys confidence and professionalism.

14. Ask Questions: Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team dynamics,  company culture, and exact know-how of the company, so that you can prepare accordingly. This demonstrates your interest in the position, allows you to gather important information, and can prepare yourself for the job responsibilities from day 1.

15. Group Discussion Round: In many cases, if the number of aspirants is more, then the company may think of conducting this round because by this round the company can find the right candidate quickly by observing body language, confidence, communication skills, knowledge of the given content or a topic, convincing ability etc, but it is a deep and intense part of an interview, we will discuss this topic in another blog.

16. Follow-up: Send a thank-you email to the interviewer(s) within 24 hours of the interview. Express your gratitude for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you can approach your job interview with confidence and increase your chances of success.

 By preparing thoroughly and engaging in a thoughtful conversation with the interviewer, you can leave a positive impression and increase your chances of landing the job."

So, finally, I can simply say and wish you, a " HAPPY INTERVIEW".

Note: Always believe that as you need a job, but at the same time, the company is also in need of a suitable candidate, so be confident!

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