How to excel in an interview
This blog is for the benefit for everyone who is looking for tips on how to ace an interview.
We recently celebrated achievements of new graduates and now is the time of the year for fresh graduates from different universities to start looking for jobs. Some of you have already secured while others are still searching for one.
My heartiest congratulations to all those who are class of 2019.
While, there is no such thing as perfect job. It’s us who make it perfect for us by our positive attitude. At the same time, it is important to keep in mind that when we are starting our career focus should be more on learning, gaining experience and networking with right people.
Here are few tips on how to get an interview and ace one. Success happens when opportunity and preparedness meet. Feel free to chime in and add more suggestions so that upcoming professionals can benefit.
1) Invest in yourself. Build your resume by taking help from professional. There are lots of professional websites which will do the work for you. Also Invest in self help and leadership books which will boost your self-esteem. Not only buy them but read them. Learn from those books and try to implement what you learnt in your life. Last but not the least, invest in personal grooming. Dress for success.
2) Expect the best for yourself. Stay positive. It’s okay to get knocked down due to rejections but bounce back quickly. Don’t stay there.
3) Don’t focus on rejections while you are applying for jobs. Remember, energy flows where your focus is and makes it grows.
4) Network with right people.
5) It is okay to ask for help. If someone offers help, accept it and be grateful about it.
6) Honesty is the best policy. During the interview if you don’t know something do not bluff. Be honest and say, that you don’t know it but at the same time show confidence. You can say, I don’t know this, but I am a very quick learner. I will put in my best and learn it.
7) Smile, also make sure that you have Firm hand shake and make great eye contact when you go for an interview. The best way to have a great eye contact without making other person feel awkward is to look at the middle of their brows instead of directly staring into their eyes. Practice in front of a mirror.
8) Stand tall and talk gently yet confidently.
9) Always reach 5 - 10 minutes prior to the interview. While commuting to the interview location, consider delays due to traffic and plan accordingly.
10) Words like Thank you, sorry, appreciate it, my pleasure goes a long way. Include them in your vocabulary.
11) It’s okay to ask for the job but there is a right way to do it. Don’t come out as a needy person.
12) Be willing to add value. Always give whatever it takes and plus some more.
13) Plan the work and then work the plan. Proper planning prevents poor performance.
14) Remember the phrase “On to the next one” and bounce back quickly from rejections.