10 Things To Remember Before Going To An IT Interview

When fresh out of college, landing an interview for your dream job is one of the most thrilling experiences. Interestingly, an average of over 118 people apply for a single job - of which only 20% get a chance to be interviewed.
Regardless, your hard work has paid off and you’ve got the interview lined up first thing tomorrow morning. What’s next? A lot!

Let’s talk about 10 things to remember before you walk into the meeting room to deliver an amazing interview performance.

Research About the Company and the Interviewer:
Before going for an interview, research the company you’re interviewing with, their mission and value and find your resonance with the organization. Also, try and identify who might interview you. Go through their professional social networks and find common interests. Conversations about common interests during interviews usually stick around, even after you have left.

Read your Resume:
Even though your resume represents you professionally, surprisingly, 85% of people lie on their resumes. Remember what you’re pitching, else you run the risk of appearing ignorant.

Do a Mock Interview:
Prepare a set of questions and sit in front of the mirror with your answers. Well-practised questions reflect in your answers. Chances are that the interviewer may ask some out-of-the-box questions, but preparation has you covered.

However, preparation for an interview not only includes preparing on the subject matter but for the smaller details as well - like appearance, posture and body language.

Here’s what else you must do.

Decide, Try on and Iron Your Attire:
Dressing up well shows your seriousness and interest in the job. Dress for the job you’ve applied for! Make sure your clothes are wrinkle- and stain-free. Statistically speaking, you only have the first 7 seconds to cast an impression on the interviewer. This means that you need to act quickly in order to make a brilliant first impression on your interviewers.

Sleep Well the Night Before:
While this basic practice is often overlooked, having a sound sleep is one of the most important things you can do before appearing for an interview. Sound sleep ensures a well-rested mind, thus, helping you answer questions more rationally.

Focus on your Body Language and Good Posture:
Straight back, muted smile, confident handshakes are markers of professional etiquette. Keeping your palms open and well-rested on thighs, chin up, shoulders down are some other basic body postures that display confidence.

Determine the Fastest Route in Advance to Reach in Time:
Punctuality and regularity are common traits that every organization looks for in a candidate. Reaching late for an interview is the worst thing you can do. Determine the fastest route to your interview location in advance and plan your commute accordingly.

Ask Genuine Questions:
Most interviews end with the interviewers permitting candidates to ask questions. Use this opportunity to show curiosity and interest in the business. Obvious questions leave an impression of a desperate attempt. While it is good to ask questions, don’t ask just for the sake of it.

Quote Realistic Examples:
If you have stated any previous work experiences on your resume, quote any example that fits well. It serves as validation. As a fresher, you could quote examples from college experiences or internships.

Be Focussed, Crisp, and Concise in Your Answers:
Interviewers seek answers and not lectures. When answering, don’t beat around the bush. Keep your answers short, crisp, and focused.
It’s natural to feel nervous and anxious before an interview. The need to perform well, look professional and leave a good impression can get the best of us. What matters most is to acknowledge how you feel, prepare well, and to put your best foot forward.

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"Originally Published on Grazitti"