In the middle of final year projects and exams, there's one thing to prepare for: The placement interview.
So you must have been glad to crash-land onto this blog.
It's important how one prepares for the first job interview of their life. Placement interviews open up a real-world experience to the students. A student who is new to this might have no idea how the whole process occurs.
So a student must be aware of few points while attending an interview. Here are a few simple steps you could follow that will help you perform better at the interviews.
1. Do your research.
Conduct thorough research about the company whose interview you are going to attend. It is relevant to know your employer and their goals and accomplishments.
For instance, you can learn more about the company from LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, etc. Doing research can help you form answers concerning your job r
ole. This will help you realise whether this is your cup of tea or not.
2. Build a strong resume.
Create a resume with time and patience. More importantly, write, revise and rewrite it multiple times unless it's perfect to the point. You can always take the help of your tutors and working professionals to format your resume.
A good and solid resume can tell a lot about the applicant. Add relevant skills and experiences which are adhered to the job description. There are resume builder websites like Canva, Zety that help you to build a professional resume.
3. Prepare for interview questions and group discussions.
You can prepare for placement interview questions with the help of mock tests and common interview questions that you find on google. Analyse how you speak, and answer each question.
Conduct mock interviews with the help of your friends and practice for them. Also, always speak up and make your point relevant during group discussions which will help you gain credibility points.
4. Keep up-to-date with current events.
Knowledge is power, so is your chance to impress the interview panel. It is a basic necessity to be aware of the events that are happening around the world.
If the interviewer feels that you have a certain amount of general knowledge, it increases your chance as a potential employee.
5. Importance of pre-placement presentations.
Before the interview starts, every company conducts a pre-placement presentation which talks about their company vision, goals, achievements, work environment and more.
It is necessary to pay attention to these presentations because the interviewer can ask you about the company to test your attention skills. So make notes of every single detail during the orientation.
6. Be punctual and presentable.
Reach the venue 30 minutes before the scheduled time. It is better to be too early than too late. Take effort in dressing up for the interview. Make sure to learn about the company's dress code and dress accordingly. With the right gestures and mannerisms, there forms your first impression.
These days many interviews are conducted online. Ensure that you are well-dressed and have a proper internet connection with a convenient background and ambience.
7. Arrive organised to the placement interview.
Keep calm and enter the interview venue with things in handy. Carry a file that accommodates all your important documents, certificates and copies of the resume necessary for the interview.
Remember to always carry a pen and sheets of paper. It can be helpful when asked to solve a problem or write a copy during the interview. It is also an opportunity to prove your organising skills which are essential to any job role.
8. Follow up the placement interview.
Once you finish your interview, do not forget to keep in touch with the hiring team to receive interview updates. When you follow up with the company, it will bring you to the attention of the hiring team.
It will make them realise that you are a passionate candidate, therefore, increasing your chance to consider you. You can email them after the day the interview takes place.
These few tips are strong enough to reinforce your position as a strong candidate. Always remember to smile politely, keep eye contact and talk relevant content while in the interview.
