After the ceremonies and the joy of graduation, graduates start thinking about what to do next. While some might go for further studies and postgraduate certification, many graduates start thinking about careers and gaining experience. They go and search for job opportunities and announcements to apply for. However, the true difficulty is not about applying for placements but about how to succeed in placement interviews. You might say I have the qualifications and certificates needed for a job and that placement interviews won’t be a problem, but you should think again. Placement interviews are very significant to your success. Even if you have strong qualifications, you might still lose the opportunity if you fail in placement interviews. But don’t worry! Here are 8 tips and tricks that will help you succeed in placement interviews.
It all starts with a strong resume:
One of the most common mistakes when it comes to placements is a long resume with unnecessary details. Some applicants elaborate too much turning their resumes into an autobiography mentioning all their details from school to college and might even mention some personal details. Recruiters will not read all of this because they are not interested in your biography. In fact, a long, unnecessarily detailed resume is considered a negative point.
So, make your resume short (around 1-2 pages only) focusing on the main skills, activities, and certificates related to the job you’re applying for. Your resume should demonstrate that you deserve the opportunity and that you’ll add value to the organization. Also, make sure that you understand and remember the things you have written in the resume to be able to answer the interviewer or the recruiter easily.
Do some research
Before the interview, try to do thorough research about the organization you’re applying for or the person you’re meeting. The recruiter will probably ask you about what you know about the organization or the job you are applying for. Failing to answer some of the common questions about the organization or the requirements of the job you’re applying for will make lose the opportunity.
Therefore, try to gather as much information as you can on things like the date of the establishment of the organization, its founders, its services or products, its successes, the duties you expect to handle if you join the organization, etc… This reflects your interest in the job and proves your merit, which helps you gain the opportunity.
Dress properly for the interview
When you first come into the hall of the interview and before you say any word, the first thing that will be noticed is your appearance. Some think that turning up for an interview wearing their casual clothes will reflect their self-confidence. This is not true. When you appear for a placement interview, you should dress properly to show you are serious about the job. Formal dress is usually the standard for interviews. For men, a suit with a tie and formal shoes are common. Wear socks and avoid revealing your ankles or legs when you sit. For women, a blouse with a pair of trousers or a formal dress is recommended. They should avoid revealing clothes or excessive makeup.
Control your Body Language
Recruiters are looking for not only those who have great knowledge in their field of expertise but also those who are able to present themselves impressively. Your body language can speak for your personality, and so you should give attention during interviews. When you first come into the interview room, put a smile on your face and give a strong handshake, which will reflect your confidence. Act in a mature way. Avoid fidgeting in your chair or biting your fingernails or lips because they reflect nervousness and lack of confidence. Maintain eye contact with the speaker as it shows respect and interest in what he or she says.
Be flexible
The interviewer might challenge applicants with an idea. Applicants might stick to their own opinion believing it’s necessary in order to show their confidence. However, you should be careful with that because if you cling to your opinion in a strong way, you might appear as stubborn and lose some points in the interview. You should show that you are flexible and ready to accept another person’s opinion. This also proves you are good at teamwork.
Manage stress
This tip is important to consider before and during the interview. It’s completely natural to get stressed in such situations. Accepting this fact helps you get over it. To have more control over stress, avoid caffeinated drinks on the day of the interview because they make you more alerted and reflexive. Practice deep breathing as it helps reduce stress. Focus on your strengths and avoid thinking of weaknesses because being focused on the latter only will increase stress and lower self-esteem.
Study frequently asked questions
There is a number of frequently asked questions that recruiters use to detect the type of personality a person is. Studying those questions will help you avoid confusion during the interview. For example, prepare yourself for a question like “what are your strengths and weaknesses?”. Many applicants talk only about their strengths and some might say they have no weaknesses. This won’t get you more points in an interview because nobody is perfect. Therefore, try to present your weak points as something good. For example, you might say that you overwork yourself which causes you some stress. It’s a weakness but it reflects that you are serious and hardworking.
Be prepared for the conclusion
When the interview is over, don’t turn your back and silently go out. This shows disrespect. Whether the interview went well or not, get up and thank the interviewer for his or her time and emphasize your enthusiasm about the result of the interview and about the possibility of you working for the organization. Learn more best colleges in coimbatore
