We have identified some do's and don’ts for you to follow while facing a job interview to ensure you put your best foot forward.

Below are the top key points you should keep in mind every time you have an interview

Preparation: This is the first and most important step in the interview process. 

Researching the company: Conducting research about the company with which you will have an interview will demonstrate your interest in the company and industry. Look at their website and what's going on in the news and find out what the media is saying about the company. Research your interviewers' professional background, including their work experience and achievements if any.

Venue (offline): Know your interview's specific location, as well as how long it will take you to get there, park the vehicle, find a restroom to freshen up etc.

Video Interview (online): To avoid technical glitches during a video interview, test your audio-video functions the day before.

Attire: Dress professionally to show that you are serious about the job interview. Maintain a high level of hygiene and grooming. Too much makeup, perfume, jewellery, or vibrant colours can put an interviewer off or distract them. Instead of appearing flashy, the goal is to appear professional and confident.

Resume: Read through your Resume and make sure you are familiar with the dates and details of your qualification and any career experience to answer in the interview confidently. Be thorough in your answers while maintaining brevity in your language. 

Highlight your knowledge and skills 

Make sure you tell the interviewer about your strengths clearly and concisely and do not leave any chance to promote your knowledge and skills. 

Make a list of relevant and open-ended questions to ask the interviewer.

Remember that asking questions will demonstrate your interest in the position and organization, get you noticed, and set you apart from other candidates. While closing, make a dignified exit.

It is equally important that you should be aware of the Don’ts as much as Do’s

1. Excessive talking.

It's great to be excited and have concerns to discuss, but if you make your recruiter uncomfortable by chattering nonstop, you'll miss out on the chance to highlight your contribution to the company and the position will be filled by someone else. You may get so engrossed in your excitement that you forget to listen to the interviewer.

2. Do not lie about anything

Do not lie if you are asked a question regarding something you are unfamiliar with. It may appear that lying about your education or professional experience is an overly clever strategy. Your reputation will be ruined, and you may lose your job as a result. Information may be verified way too fast by companies. Tell your interviewer what you're willing to learn or improve on, and how you intend to do so.

3. Avoid fidgeting and slouching

Nerves are natural during interviews, but fidgeting can hinder your chances of landing a job.

The way you conduct yourself during the interview is just as important as what you say. Hiring managers are particularly interested in nonverbal communication. Employers have rejected candidates because of poor eye contact in 53% of cases, and bad posture in 28% of cases. You could also be conveying these messages by crossing your arms across your chest. It's unsurprising that this gesture annoys 32% of hiring managers.

4. Do not interrupt the interviewer

Maintain a respectful demeanour and refrain from interrupting the interviewer. Good listening skills exhibit politeness and strong interpersonal skills. If you're doing a video interview, keep in mind that there may be a delay; don't rush to respond to a question if your interviewer hasn't finished speaking yet.

5. Forgetting to Put Your Phone on Silent mode

It's a major turnoff when your phone rings unexpectedly during an interview, especially if your ringtone is unpleasant. It's best if you set it to silent mode.

6. Do not provide any additional personal details or flaws that you cannot overcome.

Demonstrate that you are concerned about your personal development. If you are weak in a particular area of expertise but are taking a class to improve your knowledge, that is fantastic! It is something to talk about.

7. Salary Information

A little research will help you answer this question when questioned about your salary expectations. You don't want to give a salary range that is either too high or too low to the hiring manager. As a fresher, the most important concern should be an opportunity. You can accept a Salary that is in line with the company's policies.

8. Don't let past rejections deter you from pursuing new possibilities.

It may be difficult to find a job, so take each interview as a new opportunity and learn from your mistakes. If you have a lot of interviews scheduled, try to leave some time between them so you can perform better and be the best.

If you are looking for pointers for your upcoming interview, Packet Prep is here to help! 

We offer in-depth training with mock interviews that helps you get comfortable with the interview process, focus on your skills and take you through helpful tips for getting hired.

For more information, reach out to our Career Development adviser at Packet Prep.