The interview process can often exist as a stressful and unease-filled ordeal. It calls for you to respond to challenging queries while being under critical observation, and also requires self-promotion. Luckily, with consistent practice and proper knowledge, you can significantly relieve the anxiety linked with interviews, and therefore greatly enhance your chances of securing your dream job.
Starting off, try not to be overly fussy about the jobs you prefer. Regardless of whether a job opening slightly misses your expectations due to location, pay scale or field of interest, the sheer encounter of an interview itself is precious experience. There’s no rule that you must accept the job if offered, and you might find that interviews open up unexpected chances.
Once an interview has been allotted, it’s important to present yourself favorably. At this juncture, your resume has already piqued the interest of your potential employer, now it’s your opportunity to showcase why you are the ideal candidate. While it may seem trivial, punctuality plays a crucial role. You don’t necessarily have to arrive an hour early, but permitting a bit more time for travel can be a smart move.
Believe it or not, your body language speaks volumes about your persona and level of confidence. Exhibiting a strong handshake, maintaining eye contact, and showcasing a relaxed demeanor could portray you as an approachable yet assertive individual. Avoiding unnecessary movements such as excessive hand gestures and fidgeting is advisable. Dressing sharply for an interview can make a lasting impression. In an ideal circumstance, appearance would not matter if it doesn’t influence your work potential, but unfortunately, it can significantly sway an interviewer’s perception of you. Sporting a well-fitted outfit communicates that you are indeed invested in the opportunity at hand.
As you get the interview off on the right note, the subsequent phase involves handling the questions. Before the interview day, try to envisage the questions you might ask a candidate if you were in the interviewer’s position. Try to focus on the abilities and traits needed for the post.
Adequately preparing your responses in advance can keep you from being unprepared. Nevertheless, be wary that over-preparation might result in sounding distant and aloof as if you’re parroting answers. Rather, have a rough framing of your answers in your mind and be flexible to adjust them according to the interviewer’s preferences.
Nearly all interviews will involve queries regarding your prior experience, workplaces, and skills. For such questions, avoid brief responses. Instead, refer to previous experiences to substantiate your advertised skills. Practicing with mock interviews can be beneficial.
UK law forbids discrimination based on race, gender, age or disability, amongst others. It’s important for you to know that you’re not obligated to answer questions that could be discriminatory. In such cases, you have every right to respectfully excuse yourself from the interview.
You’ve possibly heard it multiple times, but asking your own inquiries towards the end of an interview can make a positive difference. It underlines your genuine interest in the role and demonstrates you are discerning about job selection. Carry a list of potential questions into the interview and attempt to bring up one or two of them, even if many have already been addressed during the course of the interview.
Ultimately, the art of effectively interviewing is comparable to any other skill set. It requires practice and persistence to master. The best method to do so is through experiencing as many interviews as possible. Should you not secure a position, always make sure to request feedback to consistently fine-tune your approach.
