Job Interview Preparation: Tips and Tricks for Students and Freshers

Job Interview Preparation for Students and Freshers:

First of all: Research the Industry, the company and the players

Study the company’s website, take notes and jot down questions related to their business that you can ask at the end of your interview. Google Search the company and see what else you can find out about them beyond their own website. During an interview, you will need to show an employer that you know about and understand the needs of the company. One way to prepare for this is to research the company.

In general, you want to find out:

1. their position in their industry, their reputation, their financial stability,
2. what products or services the company sells
3. who its customers and competitors are
4. how the company is doing within the industry
5. what the company culture is like
6. the key decision-makers who work there

Then, you can also Research about your Interviewer

Find out everything you can about the person that will be interviewing you. Try to find a bio on the company’s website. Do a Google research on their name and see what comes up. Look their name up on LinkedIn and check out their profile there.

Then, after that Study the job description

Print out and bring a few copies of your resumes with you

Dress for Success!

Like most people, interviewers are susceptible to first impressions, and one of the first things an interviewer will see of you is how you're dressed. Because you want to make sure your first impression is a good one, here are some things to keep in minding when choosing an outfit for an interview:

1. A good interview outfit should be relatively formal, so don't wear jeans, T-shirts, or sneakers unless you've been specifically asked to wear them. A business suit is usually a safe bet for either a man or a woman. If you don't have a business suit, a long-sleeved, solid-colored shirt or sweater and a pair of dark-colored cotton or wool pants will usually work
2. When you choose your clothes, make sure they fit well, are not visibly worn out, and are comfortable to sit down in. Both men and women should avoid wearing clothing that's too tight because provocative clothing isn't seen as professional attire. Women should avoid low necklines and short skirts for the same reason
3. Keep accessories to a minimum. Wearing too much jewelry, makeup, perfume, or cologne is considered unprofessional, and it won't make a good impression on an interviewer. You may even want to avoid perfume or cologne altogether because you have no way of knowing whether any of the people you'll meet are allergic to it
4. Wear dark or neutral colors, even if these aren't colors you ordinarily wear. This applies not only to the clothes you wear but also to accessories and shoes. Women should also wear neutral-colored stockings, and men should wear neutral or dark ties
5. Make sure you're well-groomed when you're going to an interview. Check that your hair and nails are neat and clean and that your clothing is unwrinkled or ironed before leaving the house. This shows the interviewer that you took time to prepare for the interview and are taking it very seriously

Some other very important points to consider are:

• Be on time – not too early, and NEVER be late!
• Have a Firm Handshake
• Eat well
  • When we say eat well, you should stay away from fatty foods and sugars
  • Make sure you have time to exercise as this can make you feel more confident
• Smile often!
• Make good Eye Contact
• Always pay attention to your posture
  • Sit up straight in your chair. Do not slouch or lean back. From time to time, a good trick is to lean forward towards the interviewer
  • When speaking, leaning forward transmits the message that you want to emphasize your point
  • When listening, leaning forward transmits the message that you are fully engaged in active listening
• Also, please don’t chew Gum!
• Also, you can Mirror the vocal cadence and body language of the interviewer
  In a way that they are leaning, crossing their legs, tilting their head, and other broad gestures which will have the same effect. Doing this subconsciously makes the other person feel more comfortable with you, and helps you form a connection with them.
• You can also use the “Nuggets” technique to establish rapport
  “Nuggets” are all those little things that you can pick out about a person or a company that you can make a positive comment about, compliment a person on, and use to connect on a personal level with the person you are talking with. When done correctly, using “Nuggets” in an interview, it can increase your chances of success and cast you in a more favorable light. Everyone loves to hear compliments, and it’s a human nature for someone to be attracted to someone else who says complimentary things about them, and who seems impressed with them.

Also, please remember:

• "Projecting a Positive Attitude is a very critical key in the interview."
• "Always, be a good listener, and never interrupt."
• "Always, decide what to take with you to an interview."
• Also, it is a very good practice to prepare your own questions to ask. Almost every interviewer asks at the end of an interview: “Do you have any questions?”

Candidates are often judged by the quality of the questions they ask and candidates who have no questions at all might be perceived as having no interest in the position. So, some suggested ideas for general questions are:

1. “How long have you been with the company, and what do you like about it?”
2. “How would you describe the company culture here?”
3. “What characteristics have made your best employees successful here?”
4. Never bring up salary or benefit, but be prepared to answer the dreaded salary questions directly if asked
5. You might also want to think of more specific questions about the company or their products based on your research as well.

At the end of the interview, please clarify the next steps.

• If you are interested in this job, make sure to say so. For example: “I just want to let you know that I am very interested in this opportunity, and hope we can move forward. What is the next step?”
• Never leave without determining what the expectations are for the next steps, and how and when you should follow-up. Ask what their time-table is for hiring, and how their hiring process works
• Also make sure you get a business card with the email address and phone number of your interviewer, and send them a thank-you email on the very same day. If you met with more than one person, get everyone’s cards and do the same with them.

Some tips before going for an interview:

• As you are about to enter the interview room take 2 or 3 deep breaths to calm your nerves. You will do better if you are relaxed and have a calm mind.
• Your preparation for the job interview should be taken seriously. The competition against another candidate with a better qualification is fierce. Preparation helps you keep what's in your mind, and not slip it when you're in a most uncomfortable position. An interview is the key before a company hires you, so you better discover how to sell yourself before meeting with the prospective employer
• Don’t be afraid to be confident. Set your mind to why you are the best candidate for the job. If you truly feel that way, it's likely you'll pass the sentiment on to your interviewer
• When you are introduced to the panel of interviewers, shake hands firmly with each person, create eye contact with each person & say that you are pleased to meet them, and smile as you say so
• Don't say something you'll regret later. Think before you speak
• If the venue is far from your place of residence, stop in the washroom when you arrive to reset your hair, tie, etc.
• Don't play with your chair while waiting to be called
• Start preparing for the interview well before the interview day
• Thorough preparation is a prerequisite to success in any interview. Ideally, start preparing about a month before the interview. If that isn't possible, start preparing as soon as you are able to
• Don't munch on junk food while waiting for the interview. You wouldn't want to offer a crumb-covered or sticky hand to the interviewer