It is completely natural to feel nervous before a job interview but you can minimize pre-interview jitters with some preparation. Hopefully you have completed initial research on the company you applied for before being called in for an interview but you are going to need to do more. You will never know exactly what is going to be asked of you (unless you have an inside source), but you can be ready for the questions by knowing your stuff.
Research About The Organization:
When we get an opportunity, our excitement level is on the top. But knowing random things about the company for which you might be working in few days is not enough. So it's time to control your breathing level and get your laptop ASAP. Search about the company online or ask anybody who might tell you something useful about that organization when preparing for an interview.
Getting info is not that hard in this digital age. You may visit their website, check them on social media and you can even read press releases about them. Get any piece of information that will help you stay up to date about them and to put you in confident zone. Learn about their working environment, what kind of clients they handle, their past successes and even unsuccessful projects (if any!).
Look up the company website and study the history, about us page, and the products and services that are offered. Even if you are pretty sure you are not going to be quizzed on how the company came to be, it will give you insight into how the company operates and their philosophy. By of these factors should influence how you answer your questions. If it is obvious they place high value on team players, you should brainstorm situations when you have displayed this trait.
If you are applying for a sales position, you can be prepared for any role playing questions because you have taken the time to learn the company’s products and services. It will be impressive to your interviewer that you have taken the time to research the information. It shows a commitment to details and a true interest in the company.
Another way to prepare for an interview is to complete a practice run with a friend or family member. Have them ask you questions and answer them as if you were already in the interview, don’t break character during the role play either. There are many questions that are asked in a typical interview (what are your strengths and weaknesses) don’t let them come as a surprise to you – practice so you can answer with confidence.
Always Dress Well For An Interview:
The next step is to polish your appearance and present yourself as a steady and nice looking guy (or girl). This is important and you should never ever compromise on this phase even if the company doesn't have any strict rule for it. Get yourself some nice suits. Suits make good impressions when preparing for an interview and help you to look more professional even if you don't like wearing a suit during working hours in routine.
Select a light color when choosing your shirt because dark or flashy colors look a little odd for interview sessions. Instead of pure white, how about wearing an off white formal shirt? Or you can even try sky blue color to look decent and professional.
Regardless of which color you choose, the main objective here is not to choose very dark color. Because if you do that then the interviewer might think you're to attend a wedding ceremony after that interview.
Behave Properly:
In an interview, the most irritating and frustrating part is waiting for your turn in that waiting room. Many people start feeling nervous, others behave a little impatient and another group tend to pass the time with gossips (no offense to ladies!). But you should keep this thing in mind that some companies even count and mark the way you behave in waiting rooms. Means that you need to behave well and proper instead of grinding teeth, making noise or hitting your foot on the floor that all indicate unprofessionalism or nervousness.
Play Your Move:
Be attentive while the questions are being asked because if you say 'sorry, can you repeat the question' so that might offend the interviewer. It's not that the panel has moody people but just they don't want a person in their company who's not conscious of his surroundings. Put a mild smile on your face even if you're not answering correct or feeling a little scared.
And avoid making one mistake that is to interrupt the other person with your question. You'll get the time to ask all the questions regarding your position, salary, promotion criterion and all that. So wait till that phase and keep this thing in mind when preparing yourself for an interview.