The thought of giving job interviews sends shivers down the spine. Your heart races, your palms turn sweaty, and your mind does what it does best—scare you to death. What if I don’t know the answers to the interviewer’s questions? What if I go blank? What if they don’t like me? What if I don’t get the job? If this happens to you, remember that you’re not alone. Almost every first-time interviewee goes through a similar experience.
The key to feeling at ease, walking into the interview with confidence, and performing well is doing ample preparation in advance. Experts from the placement cell at K J Somaiya College of Science & Commerce (KJSSC) shared valuable insights on interview prep, job rejection, and campus placements. Keep reading to know more.
Preparation tips to follow before the job interview
Give enough time for job interview prep; never leave it for the last day. Here are six steps you can follow once you have been selected for the interview round:
Read the job description (JD) carefully
Firstly, read the job description to understand the role, responsibilities, and requirements. Once you know the employer’s expectations, you can prepare yourself accordingly. You will know precisely what qualifications, knowledge, skills, and achievements you must highlight during the interview. The JD will also help you understand the likely questions the interviewer may ask.
Research the company
Interviewers can gauge your interest level and seriousness about the job by asking questions such as, “What do you know about our company?” or “Why do you want to work with us?” So, review the company’s website and social media to get an overview of its products, services, management, mission, vision, and turnover.
Prepare answers for possible questions
You can expect personal, professional, industry-related, and position-specific questions during the job interview. Accordingly, research online and discuss with seniors to understand the expected interview questions. Then, thoughtfully frame honest, straightforward, and impressive answers for them in impeccable language. Knowing what to say during the interview can give you a boost in self-confidence.
Here are five common questions interviewers ask:
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- How do you handle stressful situations?
- Do you like working independently or in teams?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Why should we hire you? What can you bring to our company?
Practise mock interviews
From fancy dress contests in preschool to debate tournaments during high school, didn’t you spend days practising your lines for D-day? The practice helped in two ways—it made you perfect and reduced anxiety. The same principle applies to anything you do, including job interviews! You can rehearse the interview in front of a mirror or ask a mentor or a loved one to conduct it. Consider recording yourself to understand what you’re doing well and determine areas of improvement.
Choose your interview dress and focus on grooming
The saying, “First impression is the last impression”, is 100% applicable in a job interview scenario. The interviewers start evaluating you right when you enter the interview room. They consider everything from what you are wearing to how well-groomed you are. That’s why it is a good idea to choose a formal dress in advance and ensure it is clean and ironed before the interview. Regarding grooming, women should tie their hair neatly, while men must get a neat haircut and trim their beards. Opt for a mild perfume, minimal accessories, and formal footwear.
Gather your documents
Arrange hard copies of your photo ID, mark sheets, CV, resume, cover letter, and relevant certificates in a folder for the interviewer’s reference. Additionally, remember to follow any specific instructions and requirements from the company’s HR. Organise your documents well in advance to avoid any last-minute hiccups.
Things to remember on the day of the interview
From when to the interview venue to how to behave in the interview room, here’s everything you must remember:
Arrive early
A day before your interview, check the route and time required to reach the location. Decide whether you will be travelling via public transport or your private vehicle. Once you have clarity regarding these details, plan your travel to arrive at least 20-30 minutes before the interview. It will give you time to freshen up and relax for a few minutes. Plus, job interviewers always appreciate punctuality.
Follow professional etiquette
When you enter the interview room, politely greet the interviewers with a smile and a firm handshake. Listen to the questions carefully, avoid interrupting in between, and talk with clarity while maintaining eye contact. Your body language, listening abilities, and communication skills—all matter for a successful interview.
Speak confidently
Your choice of words is essential, but how you deliver them matters more. Sit straight, keep your shoulders back, make eye contact, and speak confidently in clear and precise language. Keep your answers brief and to the point, but do not rush.
Be honest
There is a fine line between confidence and overconfidence. While it is crucial to speak confidently, it is equally important not to portray yourself as a know-it-all and end up bluffing. Interviewers can quickly determine whether you know the answer or are making it up. So, if you are unsure of something, admitting it is no harm. They will appreciate your honesty and move on to the next question.
Highlight your qualities
A job interview allows you to prove why you are worthy of joining the company. However, we live in a society where talking about your achievements comes off as boasting, so how do you go about it during an interview in a humble manner? The key is to highlight your qualities using examples from life. Whether you want to prove your problem-solving abilities, talk about how you are a great team player, or highlight your leadership qualities, you must discuss them through real-life instances.
A quick note on dealing with job rejection
Let’s be honest: not every interview will be a success, no matter how much you prepare for it. While feeling disheartened after rejection is normal, you must constantly remind yourself that failure is a stepping stone to success. So, never let interview rejections affect your self-esteem; learn to use them to your advantage.
Analyse your performance and note what went well and what could have been better. Ask yourself questions such as: Did I know enough about the company and the role? Did I answer all questions satisfactorily? Did I forget to mention anything? Did I speak confidently?
Once you understand your mistakes, you can improve and perform better during the forthcoming interviews.
Placement cell at K J Somaiya College of Science & Commerce (KJSSC)
The placement cell at KJSSC plays an active role in helping undergraduate and postgraduate students become industry-ready and get placed in campus and off-campus interviews. They organise various career development programs to help students enhance personality development, communication abilities, group discussion, CV design, interview skills, and more. They also conduct sessions about the career opportunities available in newly emerging fields.
KJSCC organises various placement drives, inviting reputable organisations such as Accenture, Capgemini, Tata Consultancy Services, Tridhaatu, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, and SML Pvt Ltd to conduct campus interviews. Students appreciate these opportunities and prepare diligently with the help of the placement cell committee members.
The placement cell also runs online groups, routinely posting job opportunities and encouraging students to apply. The initiative benefits those who do not get placed through campus interviews.
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