Most job seekers dont understand the importance of preparing for a job interview. Simply put, a candidate who is more prepared for an interview will almost always beat the one with little to no preparation 99% of the time!
In a recent research study conducted by Simplilearn, only 20% of job applicants make it to the interview phase. 51% of recruiters state that out of those 20% of applicants, the best candidate for the role is selected after three interviews.
Our team of career experts from Bumblebee Recruitment with decades of experience in the recruitment field is here to help you know all the insights to ace your job interview. Keep reading to know everything.
Here is What to Do Before, During, and After the Interview to Secure
Career experts from Bumblebee Recruitment have carefully contributed their suggestions on how to be successful at a job interview based on their decades of experience with job seekers all around the world.
All of these are proven working tips that can definitely help you land your dream job. Carefully read and implement each tip to see the difference!
Deeply analyze the job description to understand your duties, key skills and company culture. Our recruitment experts recommend that you categorize the job requirements into ‘must-haves’ and ‘nice-to-haves’.
Also, make a list of the job role priorities so that you are able to answer the interviewer’s questions accordingly.
Understanding the company you’re interviewing for is crucial, as it helps align your interests and career goals with their mission and culture. To do this, thoroughly review the company’s website, follow their social media, Google them, check their reviews on GlassDoor, and look at the LinkedIn profiles of your interviewers. Use this information to formulate questions that show your interest in the company’s work.
Even if you are not joining in for a technical role you should still have a basic understanding of the product or services the company is offering.
The more you know about the product or service, the better you will perform at the interview.
Look at similar jobs and read what others in those jobs have to say to know what you might do every day. In the interview, ask more about the job to make sure you’re ready if they offer it to you. Doing this homework beforehand will also help you figure out if this job is a good fit for you.
Our recruiters strongly suggest that you should not just prepare but also memorize your answers to common interview questions. Making up answers to these common questions gives an impression that you are not passionate about the role and you did not do your homework before appearing for the interview.
Here are some sample answers to the common interview questions.
Companies ask this to see if you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in them. Answer by connecting your career goals with what the company offers. Keep on answering the follow-up questions until the recruiter is satisfied with your answer.
When answering the question “What interests you about this role?”, you should focus on how the position aligns with your career goals, how it utilizes your skills, and why you find the job duties appealing.
“I’m interested in this role because it combines my passion for digital marketing with my expertise in data analysis. I’ve always enjoyed creating marketing strategies based on solid data, and from what I understand about this role, there would be a lot of opportunities to do that. I admire how your company stays ahead of digital trends and innovates consistently, which is something I value highly in my work. I believe this role will provide me with the challenging environment I thrive in, while also allowing me to contribute significantly to your team.”
This is your chance to shine. Highlight skills and experiences that set you apart from other candidates and are directly related to the job role.
“One of my greatest strengths is my ability to solve complex problems. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently been faced with challenges that require innovative solutions. I also pride myself on my adaptability. In today’s fast-paced business environment, change is constant. I’ve proven in my previous roles that I can quickly adapt to new situations, whether it’s learning new software, adjusting to a new team dynamic, or navigating through a company restructuring.”
This is a tricky question where honesty is the best policy. Mention a weakness but also discuss how you’re working to improve it.
“One area I’m working to improve is my public speaking skills. While I’m comfortable in one-on-one situations and small group settings, I’ve found that I can get nervous when presenting to large groups. Another weakness is that I can be overly critical of my own work. I always strive for perfection, and while this drives me to produce high-quality work, it can also lead to unnecessary stress and longer hours.”
If an employer asks Why Are You Leaving Your Current Organization then instead of saying you had issues with them, or saying because of low salary try to use it to your advantage by saying:
“I’m looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to grow in my career. While I learned a lot in my current role and am grateful for the experiences, I feel that it’s time for me to explore new opportunities.”
Most of the time candidates start to murmur when they aren’t feeling confident about something or it’s how they naturally talk. Not being audible or not speaking clearly can put a bad impression on your employer.
To conduct a mock interview, first, choose someone to play the role of the interviewer. Provide them with a list of potential interview questions and have them ask you these questions in a simulated interview setting.
After the mock interview, ask for feedback on your responses, body language, and overall presentation to identify areas of improvement.
Asking questions during a job interview not only helps you gather information about the role and company, but also shows your interest, enthusiasm, and engagement. Here are some thoughtful questions you can ask:
Make sure you dress appropriately for the interview, taking into account the company’s culture and dress code. It’s always better to err on the side of dressing too professionally, rather than too casually. Make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free, and that your hair and makeup (if applicable) are neat and tidy.
Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early for your interview. This will give you time to check in with the receptionist, use the restroom, and calm your nerves before the interview. If you’re unsure of the location or parking situation, do a test run ahead of time to avoid any last-minute surprises.
Make sure you bring a copy of your resume, along with any other relevant documents or certifications. This shows that you’re organized and prepared, and can also help refresh your memory if you need to reference any past experiences or accomplishments during the interview.
Pay attention to the interviewer’s questions to understand before responding. If anything is unclear, ask the interviewer to repeat the question before giving your answer.
Be yourself during the interview. This helps the interviewer assess if you can fit with the company culture. Faking your personality can lead to troubles after you get the job so be yourself at all times.
The last thing recruiters want to see in a job candidate is a cold attitude along with a dont care body language. Show the recruiter that you are genuinely interested in the role and that the role perfectly aligns with your own career goals.
Maintain professional etiquette throughout the interview, including confident greeting, proper eye contact, and respectful conversation. However, being professional doesn’t mean that you can’t laugh at all. According to our recruitment experts, smiling occasionally during the interview can make you seem confident and lower the tension inside the room.
Keep a good posture to convey that you are confident. Avoid fidgeting or slouching and also make eye contact with the interviewer while answering questions.
Highlight your accomplishments and how they make you a strong candidate for the role. Most candidates think that mentioning your accomplishments can sound rude. But in reality, they make it easier for the interviewer to make a decision by clearing all their doubts.
Discuss any gaps in your skills or experiences openly, showing your commitment to improvement and learning. This also shows that you are not trying to be over-smart and that you are a rational person.
Express appreciation at each step of the interview process and use phrases like, “Thank you so much for taking the time to review my job application and then short-listing me for this role”. Also, thank the interviewer after the interview by saying phrases like “It’s been a pleasure meeting you and I am certainly looking forward to joining the team ASAP”.
Following up after an interview can be a crucial step in securing a job. Doing this will help ensure that you are ending your interview on a high note the interviewer will have a pleasant memory of your last interaction with them.
Here’s what our experts suggest
Send a Thank-You Note: This should be done no later than a day after the interview. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and leaves a positive impression on the hiring manager.
Send a Follow-Up Email Within a Day: The email should include your name and contact information, including your phone number.
Reiterate Your Interest: In your follow-up correspondence, reiterate your interest in the job and express gratitude for their time and effort
Complete any post-interview assignments as soon as possible, dont ask for any extensions and try to complete the work assignment before the deadline. Ask questions if you have any doubts but dont keep your problem to yourself because that way the recruiter will get the idea that you are taking too much time than needed which can result in a failure
