Impressing the interviewer... is easier than you think!

Congratulations on bagging that interview! While you have cleared the initial hurdle i.e getting noticed by the recruiters, you have now a bigger challenge to overcome - convincing the interviewing team that you are the right person for the job!

We won’t deny that it can be really intimidating to put yourself out there in front of the interviewers, and calmly deal with their doubts and cross-questions about any weaknesses your CV may have. Why have you hopped jobs so many times? Why is there a gap of six months between your second job and your third? Many of us have been there. It can be scary addressing your professional shortcomings and highlighting your milestones. No matter how much thought you have put into preparing yourself for the interview, you still might stumble and falter on the D -Day. You might not even have satisfactory answers to some questions.

However, don’t fret. With some strategic preparation and well-thought-out answers, you can bag the job offer! Check out the interview tips below. Don’t worry, we have you covered.

Dress To Impress

Remember one of the main purposes of an interview is to give the recruiter a sneak peak into how you will be as an employee. Any act of negligence on your part - be it an unironed shirt, a messy collar, or unkempt clothes will be a red flag for the interviewer. So pay attention to your attire. Dress like you would on your work day. Let your potential employer know you can be relied upon to be the face of the brand. Here are some do’s and don'ts:

• Avoid the common mistakes - unironed clothes, grease stains, unkempt hair, and bitten nails. Ensure you are clean and trimmed all over.
• Unless you are applying for a job related to fashion and beauty, keep your makeup simple and subdued. This means - no over-the-top eye shadow. Avoid red, deep brown, and mauve shades when it comes to lip colours.

Research, research, research

You will be quizzed on how much you know about the company. Even if you aren’t tested on your know-how on company history and trivia, trust us, any research you do on the organisation will come in handy. For example, if you are asked questions like “ why do you want to work for the company?” or “what makes you a perfect fit for this organisation?” then you have to use every iota of your knowledge of the company to craft an answer. If you conduct in-depth research, you will also be able to link it with your work experience.

Be On Time

Turning up late is not a red but a black flag. That will set off alarm bells in the recruiter’s mind right away. Timeliness is an important part of being a professional. Step out at least half an hour early, because unforeseen incidents like traffic jams or whimsical Ola/Uber drivers can play spoilsport. Better be safe than sorry. Memorise the venue and any landmarks so that you can guide the driver better.

Keep Cell Phone Off

Make sure the interview is free from distractions like loud ringtones and calls. Message your contacts not to call you unless it is an emergency. If such a call does come up, apologise to the recruiter and ask for some time off.

Know Your CV Inside Out

What’s this you ask, of course I know the details of my resume! The thing is you really are not as well-informed on your CV as you think you are. Ponder on all the work you have done for your previous organisations, and craft a suitable answer for career gaps if any. Go through all you did in your previous capacity and tie it up with the job requirements of the position you applied for.