6 tips to nail your job interviews

You just graduated and are looking for a new job. You browse through some jobs online and picked some of which you are interested in. You applied and sent through your resume.

Some days or weeks later, you got an email from a company you applied to, inviting you for an interview. It’s your first job interview and you do not know what to do. You’re as nervous as someone who drank four liters of coffee in one sitting. The fear of uncertainty is consuming you.

In these kinds of situations, even though you have expected to have interviews for jobs, it is as if the feeling of anxiety is inevitable unless of course, you are a truly confident person who knows you can land that job no matter what happens.

First job interviews can be scary – we’ve all been there. But how do we get through?

Confidence is the key. And to be confident, you need to be prepared.

So, what are the preparations you need to do in order to be confident and nail your job interviews? Here are six tips.

1. Get to know the company.

Hiring managers love it when you present yourself as one who is knowledgeable about the company, its history, and what it does. This means that you are truly interested in working with them.

Research the organization you’re applying for and understand what it means to be a member. By being well-versed with the company’s values, goals, and functions you can make a good impression on them.

2. Research some of the commonly asked questions regarding the job and the industry.

Look into some of the most asked questions in job interviews and come up with your answers to these questions. In this way, you are prepared when it comes to the actual interview, and you would not be caught off guard. It lessens the time for you to think of your answer and makes your thought process seamless.

3. Use the STAR method.

Structuring your answers makes for a great understanding. Your hiring manager would be pleased to see how well you provide your answers in a specific and structured manner with real-life examples based on your experiences.

Use the STAR method – Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

• Situation – provide a specific situation in your life in which you have experienced the same scenario with the question asked.
• Task – tell about the task that has been given to you
• Action – describe what you did on the task that has been given
• Result – share the result of the action you have done
  
  

  For example, you have been asked by the interviewer about a specific situation where you have led a group of people and realized your potential. An example of an answer would be:

  Situation: When I was in college, we were asked to create a film as a group.

  Task: I was asked to be the team leader and the director of the film.

  Action: I took the lead on the project by understanding our script, speaking with my team on how we could pull it off with the least number of resources, and taking advantage of the diverse talent we have in the team. I saw that my team was engaged and happy to be working.

  Result: Everyone enjoyed working on the film with a director who spoke and understood their team. Through that project, I developed my leadership skills centered around a participatory paradigm while maintaining direction. So, the bonus was we won the special award for best film.

   

4. Practice with a friend.

Rehearsals are invented for a reason and for a good one. Take time to talk to one of your friends to help you rehearse your job interview. Nothing beats polishing your craft.

It is not to say that you stick strictly to a developed script that would make your answers sound ‘scripted’ and unnatural. Rehearsals will help you work on your thought process and speech.

5. Prepare your questions.

In job interviews, the hiring managers are not the only ones asking questions. There will be times when you will also be given the chance to ask your questions.

This is your chance to ask relevant questions regarding your possible employment. It’s better if you prepare them beforehand so you can just shoot them out during the interview.

6. Work on your first impressions.

They say, ‘first impressions last’. And what greater way to leave that lasting mark than being punctual on your job interview? Make sure to be there 10-15 minutes before your scheduled interview. Dress accordingly and make a friendly face. Greet your hiring managers and ask them how they are doing.

During the actual interview, make sure to maintain eye contact, give responding gestures as to how you understand the questions, and smile.

The secret to a successful job interview is confidence in yourself. And you can be confident if you prepare well.

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