In the Career, every professional goes through the process of interviews. They are primarily aimed at getting the job but at the same time are a good opportunity to conduct a self-analysis as well. The motive or purpose behind interviews can be anything but the important thing is that Interviews deserves a lot of respect.

Here are few suggestions, based on my observations with many of the job candidates during their interviews;

Prior research about the Employer

It is always recommended to perform some research about the potential employment organization and the interviewer. Generally, the interviewer name is informed to you by the relevant HR personal and if not, then there is no harm to inquire by yourself.

Research about the Position

As a candidate, you should have clear understanding of the role and its Job Description. This is also very important to relate yourself to the non-financial benefits that job has to offer. Although, most of the irrelevant candidates got screened-out at early stages but wasting your and other people’s energy and time is not professional.

Personal S.W.O.T analysis

Clearly understand your strengths and weaknesses so that you can manage them in the interview more effectively. The interviews and interviewers are not about trying to prove anybody right or wrong rather they are aimed at exploring how a person’s strengths can help their organization.

Dress up properly

Most of the time the candidates seems to miss out on this very basic thing when they appear for an interview. The “first impression” is always important and it also suggest the level of respect you are giving to the interviewer and the potential employer.

Always show up on time

It is very important for the candidate to show up on time for an interview. If you are getting late, you should always make sure to inform the relevant HR person. The interviewer might not be able to accommodate late start of interview so always check to see if he/she is available or get it rescheduled.

Expressing Determination and Eagerness

You have to express determination and eagerness for a job because that is vital consideration when finalizing a candidate. The Interviewer is very much interested in those candidates who show their willingness. Often candidates avoid this because they believe it will send out negative message of being “desperate” but that is not the case.

Don’t make false claims

Generally, the Interviewer is able to determine that which abilities and experience you really poses and which are the things you are faking about. Simple, thing to understand, is that if even you get the job by faking, then there will be different expectations from you, but this would not be the case if you have been truthful about yourself.

Set realistic expectations for yourself with Job

Always be clear about setting your expectations from a job. This will help you in all other areas because you can then align it with your career roadmap. This will also help you to filter jobs that might not be suitable for you especially in longer run.

Set realistic expectation with the Employer

It is important, to set the right level of expectations of the employer from yourself. The good way to go about is to ask questions from the employer at your turn. Most people get into misfit roles just because that “expectation’ part was not clear between the two parties.

Potential learning Opportunities

You should be able to clearly determine regarding what this job has to offer you in terms of Learning. A lot of people switch job just to seek experience in different domains or dimensions. Important fact to learn about professional life is that learning only starts when you get out of your comfort zone.

Know about the gaps

You should be aware that what you need to gain in terms of learning and experience in order to perform at the required level for the respective role. Discussing this in Interview means that you know what you will be needing in terms of time and other resources from the employer to perform at acceptable level.

Career roadmap and Future targets

A common question, in interviews, is that where you see yourself in next 5 or 10 years. The interviewer always like those candidates who have clear vision about their future because those candidates have a roadmap to reach their targets. The person without any target will just perform work without much innovation and it will be just going around in circles.

Provide References

You should always provide the references, both inside (if any) and outside the organization. The references are a source of adding creditability to your profile. Also inform your references so that they can provide the feedback in a better manner when they get contacted.