The interviews form an important step in the process of talent acquisition. This is because the process of interview also includes many steps which help the interviewers in identifying and hiring the best. Best HR practiced organizations are meticulously conducting competency- based interviews, strength-based interviews, psychometric tests, practical aptitude tests and so on.
However, candidates are evaluated based on their speaking skills, confidence level, quality of answers, social behavior, body language and the smartness. Moreover, it is not just for the evaluation of intelligence and other credentials of an individual but also because of many legal reasons, the interviews are conducted.
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Types of interview
There are several types of interview:
Telephone – Some graduate employers use an initial telephone interview to eliminate unsuitable candidates. Telephone interviews usually last for around 30 minutes.
Face-to-face – The most common type of interview, face-to-face encounters can take place with either one interviewer or, more commonly, a panel.
Videocall – An alternative to the traditional telephone interview, some organizations, particularly those recruiting in sales, media and marketing, will screen candidates via Skype, Zoom, Teams, Google Meet and many more. Video interviews usually last for around 30 minutes.
Assessment centers – Used primarily by large graduate employers to compare the performance of several candidates in a range of situations, assessment centers typically involve tasks such as presentations, group work, written tests and in-tray exercises. They usually last for one full working day.
Regardless of the type of interview, interview candidates are required to do plenty of research and planning prior to attending an interview.
There are 9 steps to be followed to find success:
1) Pick the Outfit: What you wear on your interview is an absolutely crucial part of how to prepare for a job interview. After you choose your outfit, make sure it is cleaned and pressed and you have the appropriate accessories and shoes to go with it. It doesn’t hurt to try the outfit on ahead of time, just to make sure everything fits and you look great.
2) Have a friendly attitude: It is important that you have a friendly attitude when you go for an interview. You should be gracious with every one whom you meet. Your employer may seek opinion of other people who meet at the interview site such as the receptionist in order to get an overall idea about your attitude. Arrogance won’t get you a long way.
3) Be prepared mentally: It is important to think positive always and feel good about you and get plenty of sleep on the night before the interview. If you keep thinking about what will go wrong, you will automatically feel bad during the interview and lose the level of confidence that you have. In order to increase your self confidence you should remain quiet before an interview and think about positive things.
4) Practice greeting your interviewer: You should always greet your interview with a friendly smile and firm handshake. If you do this right, you will set off the right energy and the chances of the interview going well will increase. This is a small and simple step that you should always to do to prepare for your interview.
5) Study your resume and know everything about it: Any work experience or skills you have listed on your resume are fair game to talk about during the interview. Your resume is all the interviewer has to go by in order to get to know you. They may pick things out from it and ask you to elaborate.
6) Practice your answers to the most common interview questions: If you don’t know what these are, do your research and find out or see one of my other articles. You’ll want to have your answers ready and practice them. You should always be able to answer “Tell me about yourself” and “Why do you think you would be great for this job?” Consider how to explain problematic aspects of career, such as gaps in the work history.
7) Research the company and the job position you are applying for: Write down any questions you may have about either so you can ask during the interview. If there any requirement of the job that you are unsure of, you should definitely ask during the interview. It always looks nice when you go into an interview with intelligent questions. Look at company website and social media channels.
8) Find out the type of interview you will be going on: There are several common types of interviews such as one on one, group, and behavioral. You shouldn’t assume you will get a certain one.
9) Print out the directions to the interview and be on time: Allow enough time to get there and anticipate traffic. It’s ok to be up to 10 minutes early, but no more than that. Otherwise, the interviewer may not be ready for you. Bring the phone number of your interviewer just in case you get lost or are going to be late.
There are four ways to make a good impression during interviews
Positivity – Be well-mannered with any staff you meet before or after the interview and, if you’re feeling particularly nervous, remind yourself that the very worst thing that could happen is you simply not getting the job.
Clarity – Answer all questions clearly and concisely, evidencing your most relevant skills, experiences and achievements. It’s perfectly acceptable to pause before answering a difficult question to give yourself thinking time, or asking for clarification.
Body language – Give a firm handshake to your interviewer(s) before and after the session. Once you’re seated, sit naturally without slouching in your chair or leaning on the desk.
Enthusiasm – It’s important that you allow your personality to shine throughout, as well as ask thought-provoking questions at appropriate moments.
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