Dos and Don’ts For a Successful Interview

webymoneycom
Sep 14
7 min read

Are you wondering how to ace your interview?

How do you present yourself in an interview?

Do you fear losing a job interview?

These are the common questions that keep up the candidate at night.

You are going to get all the information in this article.

Conducting an interview is the primary and the most crucial step in hiring an employee.

The interview is a conversation between an employee and employer representatives conducted to hire talented candidates for job positions.

During the interview, the hiring agencies determine whether the applicant has all the required qualifications, skills, and abilities to perform the job.

Multiple questions are asked of the candidates to analyze them based on job specifications.

If you will appear in an interview, this is your opportunity to show your employer how you are the best candidate.

In an interview, you showcase your skills and abilities to convince employers that you are the one.

You should use this opportunity wisely to show how to shine in that particular position.

There's no doubt that a powerful interview is a determining factor in securing a job position in a company.

During the interview, you get only one shot at impressing the employer. Your impression of employers while interviewing overweighs your actual credentials.

Your soft skills are also evaluated based on your experience and qualifications during the interview.

Successfully passing an interview and getting a job offer is challenging and consists of various steps, from preparing for the interview to presenting yourself in an interview meeting.

Performing well in a job interview will increase your chances of getting a job offer.

Following the dos and don’ts mentioned below will help you put your best foot forward with your next potential employer and secure more job offers.

Let’s Dive Into It!!

Preparation for A Job Interview

While preparing for your interview, consider all the aspects of your behavior that can affect the chances of getting hired.

Interviews can be conducted PERSONALLY or ONLINE.

Preparation for In-Person Interviews

Researching the Company:

Do research before appearing in an interview. You should know about the company, the employer's name, and the ideal candidate they are looking for.

You should know about the job specifications. Researching the company and the position will help you decide if this job suits your interests.

The research will also enable you to understand how to shape the answers and make it sound like you know what you are discussing. That will give you an upper hand.

Check the organization's website and social media platforms for market research for the latest news. This will help you make an effective first impression.

Attire:

You must know what dress you will wear on your interview day.

Dos

Check the firm's website and social media accounts.
Analyze how the company presents itself, the workplace culture, and how the employees dress up.
After analyzing the dress code, wear the dress according to it.

Don't

Don’t dress casually if your business dress code is formal. It suggests that you are not serious about job positions.
Don’t wear bright and flashy clothes.
Avoid wearing a lot of accessories.
Never wear ripped clothes.
Avoid using strong perfume.
Don’t forget that your choice of shoes also matters.

Preparing the Most Important Interview Questions:

You must prepare the answers to the most important and commonly asked questions of interviews.

Let’s discuss a few important questions! And how to answer them.

1. Introduce yourself

Dos

That's the most frequently interviewed question. Before any interview, prepare an introduction related to the job position.
Tell the interviewer about your qualifications, skills, and past experiences.
Be confident and show pride.
Use adjectives to describe your personality.

Don'ts

Don't drag your introduction too long.
Don’t sound mechanical while giving your interview. Don't mumble while talking.

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

That is also one of the most frequently asked questions in interviews.

Dos

Answer related to your professional life. Tell your strengths and weaknesses as an experienced and professional person.
Tell them your people skills are your strength while working in an organization.
Share your strengths and weaknesses by telling a story. Keep your answers short and precise.
Choose a weakness that will never prevent you from achieving your goals.

Don'ts

Refrain from telling your weaknesses and strengths related to your personal life.
Don’t mention your weaknesses that will prevent you from performing that particular job. This will negatively impact the interviewer's mind.

So, a few frequently asked questions are almost a part of every interview. You must prepare yourself to answer those questions before the interview meeting.

3. Tell us about yourself

4. How did you get to know about this company?

While answering, Always mention the authentic source.

Such as job portals, social media platforms, referrals, etc.

5. What was the reason for leaving your last job?

Never say any negative words about your previous employers. Always share positive insights from your previous jobs. Asking this question will determine your personality in front of the interviewer. Sharing positive thoughts will exhibit your positive image.

6. Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

7. Why are you the better choice for this job among all candidates?

Again, mention your strengths and emphasize your skills and abilities.

Correct Body Language:

Body language is a form of nonverbal communication and is equally influential in swaying an interviewer into the right or wrong position.

Interviewers observe candidates' body language to predict their behavior at the workplace. They also measure how they will perform under pressure and during unwanted situations.

Interviewers evaluate candidates' body language to help them make their hiring decisions.

You must practice correcting your body language before the interview meeting.

I’m going to tell you about the types of body language you should consider while in an interview:

Facial Expressions and Eye Contact:

Facial expressions are critical for non-verbal communicators.

Candidates' facial expressions let the interviewer analyze the candidate's feelings about a question and situation.

Making Eye contact while talking displays confidence, comfort, and willingness to engage with interviewers.

Dos

Maintain eye contact while conducting an interview.
Always display a positive attitude towards the interviewer.
Keep a smile on your face.

Don'ts

Don’t look away from the interviewer when they are speaking to you.
Never check your phone or watch during the interview.
Don't roll your eyes while answering the questions.

Body Posture:

The body posture of the candidate shows their interest in an interview.

Dos

Do sit up straight with both feet on the floor.
Make appropriate hand gestures while talking. Gestures will help you engage with the interviewer and emphasize your points.
Lean toward the interviewer during an interview, which will depict that you are interested and enthused.

Don'ts

Don’t sit in a close posture by crossing your arms and legs.
Don’t shift your leg positions and drag your feet.
Avoid fidgeting during the interview, such as playing with your hair and drumming your fingers, because it negatively impacts the interviewer's mind and shows a lack of interest and unawareness of candidates.

Preparation for Online Interview

Physical interview meetings are quite different from online interview meetings, and preparation for an online interview is not similar to a physical interview.

Dos

For online interviews, you must be punctual and follow the scheduled timings. Always be on time and, if possible, be early.
Test your technology before the interview. Check your Wi-Fi connection and test your microphone. Double-check that you are good to go.
Choose a peaceful environment and uncluttered professional background for an online interview meeting.
Pursue active listening during the interview and listen carefully before answering the questions. Speak slowly and clearly so that your voice doesn’t cut off in between.

Don'ts

Don’t sit in a noisy environment while giving an interview.
Don’t lose your focus during the interview.
Don’t read off your screen in an interview.
Don’t wear casual clothes.

During an Interview

Dos

Do knock on the door before entering the room. Professionally greet the interviewers.
Listen carefully to the interviewer.
Be confident with your words.
Keep a smile on your face and stay relaxed.
Interviewers can ask you random questions, so if you need time to think, you can say that's a great question to buy some time.
Stay calm and confident, and answer the questions in a way that highlights your skills and abilities.
Ask open-ended and appropriate questions.

Don'ts

Don't be late on your interview day. It will impose a wrong impression on the minds of interviewers.
Never speak badly about your previous employers. Interviewers focus on positivity; telling them anything negative about your old company will only create a hostile and pessimistic image.
Don't panic and get nervous during an interview. Stay calm while giving answers instead of rushing to answer them.
Never be too frank or friendly with the interviewers. Don't exaggerate your words, and answer the questions to the point.
Don't ask about the salary package during your first interview. They will discuss the salary only if you pass your interview.
Don't ask inappropriate and childish questions.

After the Interview

Dos

After the interview, shake hands with the interviewer and maintain eye contact, saying thanks for your time or that meeting you was a pleasure.
Ask for their business card and email address and write thank you notes.
Ask about the next steps after an interview.

Don'ts

Don't post anything about your interview on social media.
Don't harass the interviewer. Don't call or email your interviewer to ask about getting a job.
Don't stop searching for jobs.

These steps will help you ace your interview and increase your hiring chances.

Always remember that: