interview preparation

By preparing for an interview, you can put your best foot forward and reap the benefits of having more control over your performance to keep you ahead of other applicants.

Conduct research before you sit for an interview to identify aspects of the company that you can respect and relate to during job interviews. Doing so can help you come up with rapport-building questions that you can ask the interviewers at the end of the interview.

A simple yet effective way to calm your interview jitters is by doing some breathing and mindfulness exercises that will help you feel relaxed. When you are stressed, you are less likely to feel confident and underperform during interviews.

If the company you’re applying to has a broader focus, the interview questions will include broader coding questions in general. And if the company has a specific niche like developing android applications, the C# interview questions like being primarily focused on the same.

To negotiate a good offer during interviews in 2022, you need to do your end of the research and set positive expectations. You need to build a strong case for why you deserve the target package and be prepared to walk away if you feel that you would be underpaid.

Begin your follow-up email, letter, or message with a personalized salutation. Start by stating that you’re writing to follow up with the interview process. Mention the job title of the role you're following up about and the date you interviewed to refresh their memory.

When asked salary-related questions, you can either diffuse the question or delay the discussion related to it. If pressed to answer, you can simply provide a range or ask them what they are willing to offer.

Avoiding eye contact, giving one-word or lengthy answers, not being punctual, and dressing inappropriately are some common mistakes to avoid during an interview if you want to make the best impression on the recruiters.

Stir the conversation to a neutral topic if the interviewer asks you a personal question that you may not want to answer. Or you can avoid giving the answer and gently deflect to a more relevant topic.

During the interview, if you feel too nervous to speak, it’s alright to ask the interviewer for a glass of water to buy you time to recollect your thoughts and calm down. The recruiters know that candidates feel nervous too.

To make the best first impression during interviews, you need to be punctual and wear the right clothes. Do not forget to flaunt a warm smile, pay attention to details, and be confident throughout the interview.

Avoid negativity while explaining why you are looking for a new job during an interview. Instead, highlight positive and opportunity-oriented reasons. Focus on why the new opportunity is good for you and keep it concise.

Balance your weaknesses with your selling points by picking a real yet harmless weakness. Be open about it, but avoid going into details while showing your willingness to improve.

Talk about your reasons for a career change when you first introduce yourself to the recruiters. When recruiters ask you why you chose this role or career path, you need to justify the same. Stay positive, show purpose, and highlight what you can contribute.

Address any career gaps, layoffs, and incomplete degrees on your resumes by justifying the reasons in the best light possible. Be proactive and diplomatic while focussing on the positive aspects. Be confident and show enthusiasm to be back at work.

Take your time, redirect your question, and be honest when you are unable to answer a question in an interview. Never panic, but try to stay composed and keep your focus on the overall impression that you’re making on the recruiters.

The PAWS model is a useful method for answering classic introductory questions like "Tell me about yourself" during interviews to impress the recruiters.

Review your resume and social media pages to make a solid justification for your claims. Make sure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date and presents similar information about your skills and experiences as your resume.