How to Present Yourself for a Job Interview?
‘Interview’, for most people this little word is scary enough to cause anxiety. You know you are the right fit for the job, you possess the skills which are required, but how do you make the interviewer believe that?
15–20 minutes seems not enough to prove yourself.
But that’s where the game lies. The first impression may not be the last impression, but it is no doubt important, especially in a situation like this, where the decision of the recruiter largely depends on the impression you create.
So, if you have your interview in the coming week or perhaps tomorrow itself. This article is for you. Here we share some quick tips, which will not only give you confidence but also improve your odds of getting hired.
1.Dressing and Appearance:
This is the first thing your interviewer will notice about you. You don’t want to ruin your first impression. Here are some tips:
- Be professional: Some organizations may have their own dress code, it is advisable to research the work culture of the respective organization beforehand.
- Avoid distracting visuals: Extravagant jewelry or busy prints are distracting visuals that are mostly not considered professional.
- Avoid wearing footwear that makes that tik-tik sound and grab everyone’s attention.
- Be comfortable: Lastly, it is important that you are comfortable and confident in what you wear.
2.Confidence:
This seems like an obvious point. But this is where most of the candidates fail in. And this is where you can have an advantage over your competitors. Go with a confident mindset. Be prepared with the typical questions that are asked in an interview. These are the questions like
‘Why should we hire you?’ ,
‘What are your strengths and weakness?’,
‘Tell us about yourself,
‘Your contribution in the previous organization’,
‘On a scale of ten, how confident are you that you are the right fit for this job’ and
you can also expect some questions related to the job profile.
3.Smile:
A smiling face always radiates a positive vibe. But do not overdo it or force it, just wear a genuine smile during the interview.
4.Research well:
Don’t present yourself as a candidate who is desperately looking for just any job to make both ends meet. Of course, everybody does a job for mainly the salary but the company looks for people who are familiar with their work. Do your background research about the organization you are applying for. Show that you are aware of what the organization expects from you.
5.Give and take relationship:
There exists a give-and-take relationship between the organization and the employees. Mention how you can prove to be an asset for the organization and what value you can add. Don’t worry, you are not expected to design the next blockbuster product, but you should mention how your skills and past experience(if any) are relevant to the job profile.
6.Be enthusiastic:
Your interviewer might be interacting with dozens of candidates in a day. Bring in that energy and enthusiasm when you enter the room. Use sentences like, “I have been looking forward to this meeting”.
This shows that you are excited about the opportunity.
7.Body language:
Seventy percent of the communication is non-verbal. Your body language speaks a great deal about you even when you don’t. Some quick tips for improved body language are:
- Keep your back straight, chin raised, and chest high.
- Establish eye contact with the speaker.
- Show that you are attentive and engaged in the conversation through your gestures.
8.Rehearse well:
It is a good idea to rehearse the whole interview with a friend or family member or even in front of the mirror. Practice how you’ll greet, how you’ll introduce yourself, how you’ll sit throughout the interview and what question you want to ask at the end.
9.End on a positive note:
In the end, go ahead and get your doubts clarified if you have any. Don’t forget to thank the interviewer for their time.
The interview is a process where the recruiter wants to know whether the prospective employee will be a fit for their organization or not. They also want you to feel comfortable and have fruitful conversations. See this as an opportunity to sell your skills and abilities and stay calm. All the best!
