The interview is one of the most important stages to get a job. If you are planning to attend an interview, you need to keep in mind a few things. For some, it could be a challenge to participate in an interview. However, following a few tips can make the process smooth.
Components of a great interview:
Objectives:
- Interview styles
- Interview rounds
- Setting expectations
- Types of questions
- Bonus Tips
- FAQs
Interview styles
The interview skills can be broadly divided into two types:
Physical interviews |
Virtual Interviews |
Face to face interview |
Video conferencing |
Lounge discussion |
Online assessment |
Group discussion |
Comfort of home |
Paperwork |
Personalisation |
In the physical interview, the important part is to meet the HR personnel or any other person interviewing, face to face. There could be discussion rounds, which may vary from Lounge to Group discussions. Last but not the least, the most annoying part could be the paperwork.
However, after the end of the pandemic situation, one could see steady growth in the virtual interviews. The video interviews are much more comfortable than physical ones. These types of interviews are mostly held in a semi-formal condition, which gives a scope to the interviewer and the respondent to connect easily. The online assessments are easy and quick. Besides, one can sit for it from home, so it is much better than visiting an office. This naturally gives a personal touch to the interview as you get the encouragement of your parents or anyone else who is there with you at home.
Interview rounds
In general, an interviewer has to go through these steps:
CV screening and H.R round discussion
After this, the interviewer has to go through a few more steps like the Operations, which is further subdivided into these mentioned below. (These are applicable only if the person has previous work experience). Those are-
- Profile fitness
- Presentability
- Working skills
- Analytical skills
- Interpersonal skills
When these are evaluated, it is known as Assessments. After these comes the Offer round. In this round, the person's salary is discussed.
Setting expectations
Attitude - Never show that you need the job or vice versa. These extreme attitudes can make a blunder, and you may never get your job. Being formal and professional is the best way to handle the situation.
Portfolio - Know about yourself. Go through a portfolio repeatedly and make sure you know whatever you have put in your C.V.
Knowledge - You must remember what you have learned in your previous experience. It would be best if you also talked about how you and your team have found solutions to the problems altogether.
Presentation - You must present yourself with enthusiasm and energy that should show your interest in the job.
Types of Questions
About yourself -
You can talk about what you like to do. These can be some of your hobbies or things that you have not mentioned in the C.V.
Your skills -
The same goes for skills. You can talk about your achievements apart from your office work. These can vary from getting a black belt to being a good singer.
Your job fitness -
Your certifications and achievements might not be unique. So here you should mention something that differentiates you from others in a positive way.
Your achievements -
These can include how you have helped your previous company in achieving new heights or goals. If you have won an award in the office, that can also be included in the category of your achievements.
Bonus TipsBe honest - You should be clear with
Pause & play - Take a deep breath and understand what the question is and then answer.
Don't Oversell - You are expected to play the role of what you have said during the interview.
Study the job profile - Understand the job profile you are applying for. See the company requirement. Make sure you have got the potentiality to fill the requirement.
Highlight achievements - If you are an experienced professional, you can highlight your achievements from the past companies you worked for. You can mention your awards or any certificate for excellence you got from there, like winning the employee of the month or year and so on. However, being a fresher, you can mention your achievements in any of the co-curricular activities or hobbies, like getting a black belt in karate, winning a prize in a drawing, or singing competition, etc.
Be grateful for the moment - You will always learn or experience something when attempting an interview. Even if you do not get the job, you will know many facts. So take everything positively and then prepare for the upcoming interview.
Tutor Bio: Urmi is a life skill-specialist and communication trainer working for more than 15 years now. She has groomed many for the past years and is looking forward to changing many lives. As she is a communication trainer here in this video, she explains how to crack the interviews. Many organisations and companies have started recruiting. After the COVID situation, as the techniques and styles of interviews have changed, it is important to know how these are now held.