So, after spending days designing, revising your resume countless times, and applying to dozens, perhaps hundreds of job postings, you finally landed an interview. And you really want to ace it because it’s in a field or company you’ve been dreaming of breaking into.
The interview starts, and you feel the pressure mounting. Your mind gets fuzzy, and you choke on your words during the crucial interview. Your interviewer’s awkward silence and confused stare fill the air with suffocating dread as you continue to stumble on your words.
What happened?
The short answer is you went into the interview unprepared, like camping with all the essential gear and equipment for shelter and protection, but without any idea on how to utilize them. You don’t come out of that in one piece without the proper training.
There are a few things you should remember to avoid choking and fumbling during an interview again.
What to Do Before the Interview
Preparing for the interview will be more essential than keeping your resume updated. It provides the chance to impress interviewers, helping them see you as the right fit not only for the job, but for the company. Here are a few tips to help you:
Research the Company
Before the interview, you should do your due diligence and thoroughly research the company. Visit their website, and read about their mission, values, products/services, recent news, and other relevant information that might come up. Understand the industry they operate in and their competitors. Having this knowledge at the back of your mind will allow you to formulate better questions, demonstrate your genuine interest in the company, and help you tailor your responses to align with the company’s goals.
Understand the Job Requirements
Before the interview, you should review the job description they posted several times. Identify the essential skills and qualifications the company is looking for and match them with your repertoire of skills and experiences. Think of examples from your experience that demonstrate your proficiency in each area and how your skillset can be valuable for the company.
Craft your responses in a way that addresses and targets the problems the company is facing. Answering in this manner can give the interviewer a much clearer view of what you can provide for their team and projects.
Prepare Answers to Common Questions
Anticipate common interview questions such as “Tell me about yourself,” “Why are you interested in this role?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Practice your responses, ensuring they are concise and specific.
Additionally, they should showcase your relevant skills and experiences. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and provide concrete examples. Highlight your accomplishments, relevant skills, and experiences throughout the interview. Discuss how you have overcome challenges and contributed significantly in your previous roles. Use specific examples to support your claims and provide measurable results whenever possible.
You don’t want to sound rehearsed, but having a basic idea of how to answer questions can help you feel more confident and prepared. Adhering to a script might sound like a great idea, but it will limit how flexible and creative you can be with your answer. A better way we would suggest is to craft a narrative about your career journey—with you as the main protagonist overcoming struggles and making difficult and important decisions to move your story forward.
Practice Mock Interviews
Enlist the help of a friend or family member to conduct mock interviews. Practice answering a variety of interview questions, including behavioral and situational questions. This exercise will help you improve your articulation, boost your confidence, and identify areas where you can further enhance your responses.
The best way to get good at doing interviews is the same way you get good at doing just about anything: repetition plus lots and lots of practice.
What to Do During an Interview
Display Positive Body Language
During the interview, maintain good posture, make eye contact, and offer a firm handshake (if applicable). Smile and show enthusiasm when appropriate. Active listening, nodding, and engaging in non-verbal cues will convey your interest and engagement.
It might seem less important during a video call, but interviewers will just as quickly notice if you have terrible posture and negative body language. In a one-on-one interview, an interviewer’s attention will be fixated on you. They’ll be looking at both your verbal and nonverbal cues. Your confident answers should be matched with confident and engaged body language.
Ask Intelligent Questions
During your interview make mental notes and prepare a list of thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. These should be questions that flesh out the aspects of the company that matter to you and the role you’re applying for. You can ask about the company culture, future projects, training opportunities, or any specific aspects of the job that can help you make a better decision should you reach the job offer stage.
Asking great questions also signals to the interviewer that you’ve been paying attention throughout the interview and are highly interested in the role.
Be Yourself
We know, we know. It sounds cliche, but it will be much easier to answer questions, and you’ll have more helpful feedback if you present your authentic self during the interview. Don’t try to be someone you’re not in the interview. The interviewer wants to get to know you and see if you’re a good fit for the company, so be honest and authentic.
Interview with iSupport Worldwide
Take your career to the next level by interviewing with iSupport Worldwide, the leading offshoring company in the Philippines! With a focus on providing stable and competitive opportunities, iSupport Worldwide is the perfect choice for ambitious individuals.
Our clients, prominent foreign businesses, are seeking top local talents to propel their growth, and they offer generous wages and compensation packages in return.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity – explore our list of job openings and apply now!