How to Prepare for an Interview?

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How to Prepare for an Interview?

Find out about the strategy and preparation you need to join the best workplaces.

Employees are attracted to not just to the brand and money, but also the culture, sustainability that these companies offer. Three things most important for any applicant are flexibility at work, career advancement and upskilling.

Since these are the needs for holistic development everyone will apply in companies offering these to employee, but now the question arises how do you stand out and land in your dream company job??

COMMIT Strategy: It can summarise the strategizing needed to secure your dream job:

C: Company research into its working and leaders, and finding people in your network or alumni who may be working there

O: Obtaining the skills in demand

M: Maintaining authenticity and integrity

M: Measuring intent to help align a candidate’s skills and aspirations with that of the company

I: Indulging in curiosity and continue learning

T: Tenacity if you do not get the job in the first attempt.

Here are three main steps and tips for you.

1. Building a right resume for getting shortlisted :The essential elements and strategies to create a resume that grabs attention and boosts your chances of landing your dream job.

Do’s:

Focusing on Keywords: Yes, keywords are important is a resume also. A lot of companies use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software to filter out resume that don’t contain keywords matching the job title and job description. Candidates that tick 8 out of 10 boxes can be moved to the next level for example: If the job posting is for “Accounts Executive” with good communication and organisation skill use these exact words in your resume.

Education, experience: Start with the latest experience to the oldest followed by your education in same order. Focus on your key skills and achievements that are a match for the role and company requirement.

Career Summary: Use just 3-4 sentences at the top to explain why you are the right fit for the job, highlighting your key skills that match job requirement. Highlight your core skills, not personal information such as hobbies, etc

Format it right: Use simple font and design which is navigable and easy on the eye. Try to keep your resume concise, precise with job title and skills. You can also use AI/Software to design your resume, a few popular options are: Canva, Novoresume, Resumaker.ai

Dont’s:

False Information: Do not exaggerate or lie about your work description, experience or employer as it will be verified and you will be rejected.

Putting in Objective: This is obsolete since the company is not interested in what you seek as an employee , but what you can offer to the employer.

Personal Information: There is no need to include personal details, be it hobbies, interest, address or even your photo

References: During your first interface with the computer or a person in the company, references are not required. Provide later, if asked.

2. Using LinkedIn to build great professional network, here are some tips on leveraing LinkedIn:

Update Profile: Use a recent professional photo, optimise your cover photo to highlight your key skill set. Ensure there are relevant keywords in your headline, so that an employer can easily find you. Start with a professional headshot and write a compelling summary showcasing your skills and achievements. Highlight your experience, talents, and goals to grab employers’ attention.

Post about your work: To let the connections, recruiters and companies know you better, keep sharing your achievements, projects, and certifications on your LinkedIn feed and showcase your expertise. Recruiters are constantly scrolling through LinkedIn – make sure you catch their eye!

Expand network: Through ‘Search’ build a strong network by connecting with industry professionals, colleagues, and alumni. Engage with their posts, share insightful articles, and join relevant groups. These connections can lead to valuable introductions and job opportunities that might have been hidden otherwise.

Look for recruiters: Many companies, recruiters and hiring staff use LinkedIn to employ people. Follow them and send them updated resumes. You can also use the ‘Job tools and ‘Job alert’ to seek out jobs that match your skill and experience. Utilize the advanced search option to narrow down your job preferences, location, and industry. Save job searches, set up alerts, and be the first to apply to new opportunities.

3. Now that you have all the pre requisites now is the time to ace your job Interview:

Research: The first step when your interview is scheduled is to research about the company, find out about its latest projects, problems, work culture, process, leaders, goals etc so that it reflects your passion and shows why you can be a perfect fit in the organisation.

Know the job description: You need to brush up your core skills so that you can explain how you can contribute to the role, why you are a good fit, and how you can enhance the team’s and firm’s performance.

Prepare your answers: Anticipate common interview questions and practice your responses beforehand. Be sure to highlight your skills, experiences, and how they align with the position you’re applying for.

Be confident: interview success isn’t just about what you say – it’s also about how you say it. Highlight your behavioural skills, cite specific situations, tasks, action taken and result which helped resolve issues and improve efficiency. Body language also reflects a lot of your confidence.

Ask questions: Show your enthusiasm and interest in the company by asking thoughtful questions about your specific role and skill implementation, team structure, performance targets, etc. Do not ask questions about salary or perks, work hours or leave schedule and company’s performance.

Dress appropriately : Your appearance creates a powerful first impression and demonstrates your professionalism. Remember, it’s always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.

Be Punctual: Being late to an interview is a clear sign of rejection, always arrive 10-15mins before the interview time.

Follow up with a thank you :After the interview, send a personalized thank-you note or email expressing your gratitude for the opportunity. This small gesture shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in the interviewer’s mind.

Learn from rejection: You may not get into a top company in your first attempt. “If you fail to get in, don’t forget to go back to HR personnel and get their feedback on where you lacked and what you need to do to be able to get in. This will help you prepare better for your interviews with the next top company. Above all, never give up.

These are all tested tips to help you land in your dream company.

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