In this blog, we'll examine several aspects of interview preparation and the guidelines that go along with them so that we may get ready for an interview effectively. And also learn how to tackle the Biggest Interview Trap!
Let's start with the possible consequences when you aren’t adequately prepared for interviews. Remember, without adequate preparation, you may not be able to perform at your best during the interview even if you meet all the qualifications listed in the job description.
Importance of Interview Preparation
Lack of preparation will not only lose you your ideal job but will also negatively affect your candidacy. Hence, being ready for your interviews is the most crucial stage in getting a job. Making some preparation can help you feel more in control and will give the impression to potential employers that you are cool, calm, and collected qualities that are always preferred in the ideal candidate.
The importance of preparing for interviews has many advantages. You will feel less worried during the interview and create backup plans. It also shows the recruiter that you have a strong work ethic, which could assist you.
Now, choosing what characteristics to highlight while introducing yourself to the employer is the first step in preparation. These attributes might include your accomplishments, talents, skills, etc.
The second step in preparation would be researching more about the company or the job role that you’re applying to. This is significant since, in a survey of job applicants, it was found that the most frequent error made by employees was a lack of research, which affected roughly 51 percent of the applicants. Hence researching the company to which you are applying can save you in many ways.
Do’s and Don’ts of Interview Preparation
And now let's look into the best practices when preparing for an interview. First, preparing in advance for interviews will help you feel less anxious and make you confident to face the interview. Second, Make sure that details of your interest, experience, etc. are addressed in your answers. Third, try out attempting multiple mock interviews by recording yourself answering the questions, since practice is the key to success. Applying for several jobs could be another way to practice this; the more you do it, the more proficient you will become. The final one, present yourself well making a strong first impression begins with maintaining a neat and professional appearance. Dress professionally, successfully, and as the kind of personality, the organization wants to portray, as it is how you want to be perceived.
Let's now discuss the mistakes to avoid when preparing for an interview. First, have a responsible mindset. If the employer projects something negative about you, don't be aggressive, and don't overreact.
Second, being on time is professional quality for any software developer, so reach the interview at least 30 minutes early so you have time to prepare or to do something else. Third, At all costs, avoid lying to the recruiter because doing so could get you into trouble. Instead, have enough confidence to answer questions honestly and truthfully.
So, having seen the dos and don'ts, let’s look into some of the hidden interview traps. Since you're being judged during the interview process, it's normal for everyone to feel some level of discomfort or apprehension. And a good interviewer's job is to break through some of that anxiety and figure out whether or not this person can perform the job satisfactorily.
Furthermore, depending on where you are in your career, this position may be really important to you. You might be technically very competent, but you might struggle on behavioral tests. Everything may be anticipated, but it relies on personality.
So, the easy way to tackle this is to pause a little between each word while you are speaking your sentence. From one sentence to the next, take it slowly. By purposefully pausing, you may maintain control over the rhythm. Preferably when a question is asked, think before responding. The question was asked to know your opinion, which would require some thought from your end.
Biggest Interview Trap
I must say that the trap usually appears in the area asking about behavior type. Then you can ask yourself, "Am I lying by presenting it this way, I mean?" You cannot pause for five minutes to consider your next words. Therefore, it is crucial to get ready for questions of a behavioral type beforehand.
Since they aren't the most pleasant questions. You might be asked to describe a situation in which you did feel uncomfortable, and you will need to rely on your memories and possibly even on past experiences. If you don't have as much experience, you may need to discover a relatable story that may not quite fit the question.
So, one important point to understand here is that whenever an interviewer asks questions to a candidate, just take some time to answer the question. Because this could make the interviewer feel that you’re giving some importance to the interviewer’s question.
So, take at least 20 to 30 seconds to collect your thoughts, plan your speech, and think about how you’re going to deliver it before speaking. And sometimes all that's required is simply a deep breath which could help you in maintaining control of yourself and your actions throughout an interview.
One last piece of advice which I would like to provide you is to treat each interview as a learning opportunity rather than as a series of rounds. Since you might use this experience to analyze your performance and identify areas for improvement, etc. which serves as the basis for your upcoming interview with more confidence. And trust me, this could be the best strategy for both professional advancement and interview preparation.
So, to wrap up, these are some typical considerations to keep in mind when getting ready for an interview, which could help you land a dream job.
YouTube Video
Resources
- Job Ready Programmer Courses: https://www.jobreadyprogrammer.com/p/all-access-pass?coupon_code=GET_HIRED_ALREADY
- Job Ready Curriculum, our free Programming Guide (PDF): https://pages.jobreadyprogrammer.com/curriculum
About the Author
Imtiaz Ahmad is an award-winning Udemy Instructor who is highly experienced in big data technologies and enterprise software architectures. Imtiaz has spent a considerable amount of time building financial software on Wall St. and worked with companies like S&P, Goldman Sachs, AOL and JP Morgan along with helping various startups solve mission-critical software problems. In his 13+ years of experience, Imtiaz has also taught software development in programming languages like Java, C++, Python, PL/SQL, Ruby and JavaScript. He's the founder of Job Ready Programmer - an online programming school that prepares students of all backgrounds to become professional job-ready software developers through real-world programming courses.
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