How To Ace The Job Interview

By Resume Asia

As HR professional, I had the opportunity to interview several senior executives for various job positions, and it always pain me to see executives coming ill-prepared for the interview even though they are amply qualified for the job. As with the resume and cover letter, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression, and this meet-and-greet session could make or break the job offer for you.

Regardless of how much experience you possess or how qualified you are, if you show up late on a job interview, ill prepared, or dressed inappropriately, you could be sealing your own fate. It may sound old fashioned but a neat professional appearance is always appropriate for a job interview.

Be confident! That is what I always tell job seekers who approach me for help about job interviews. ‘T-up” with a friend, your love ones or a career coach and rehearse a day or two before the interview to sharpen your communication skills. It helps to practise a few devil’s advocate questions to prepare positive responses regarding your strengths and weaknesses. Research and find out about the company’s mission, vision, their business, product or services before the interview. With the advent of Internet, there is really no excuse to claim ignorance when posed a question “What do you know about our company?” during the interview.

Display an attitude of “humble egotism”. Psyche yourself up into creating the impression that “I’m the best, I am the greatest, I will succeed, I want this job more than anything else in the world, I have more to learn”, and show your enthusiasm, dedication and ambition through your words and body language. If you come in with the attitude of “show me why I should work for this company” and then change your mind midway through the interview that you want this job, it may sometimes be too late. The most important goal of the job interview is to get a job offer. If you get a job offer, then you can decide if you want to take it. If you don’t get the job offer, there’s nothing to decide. You can always think it over and turn it down later, but the name of the game is to get that job offer above all the other candidates!!

Always arrive on time. I try to make it a point to arrive at least fifteen minutes early. We know that traffic and delays occur but the professional interview candidate anticipates such events and arrives composed and prepared, not out of breath and apologizing.

Answer questions clearly and concisely. Do not get long-winded or meander to discuss unnecessary personal details. A confident, focussed professional will make a better impression than a candidate who sits back and let the interviewer throws out random question. Know the content of your resume well and be prepared to highlight your strengths, achievements on your present or previous job, and your eagerness to work for this potential employer. If there are unrelated jobs or gaps on the resume which the interviewer asks you about, be truthful and to the point. No need to apologize for anything, but just accentuate on the positive and relevant information.

If the interviewer asks an open-ended question, “how do you feel about monthly reports?” try to narrow down the focus by asking a more specific question in return, “Would you like to know how I manage projects to meet deadlines and achieve my KPI?” If salary is discussed during the interview, try not to bring up too many ancillary questions about benefits, annual leave, etc. An interview is not the appropriate place to haggle over money – it’s best to conduct salary negotiation only when you actually get the job offer.

When the job interview is concluded, stand up and extend your hand, and thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration of you as a qualified candidate for this position. Leave gracefully - you may ask when the decision is anticipated but don’t offer to call back or give your mobile number – just walk out as confidently as you walk in.

I wish you all the very best!