Job interviews are a nerve-wrecking experience. It is especially true if it is your very first Interview. Those with years of experience may also feel jitters from time to time. So, all in all, interviews make everyone feel nervous. Whether it is facing tough questions or technical glitches, interviews do come with their own set of challenges. Here are a few ways to handle these “not so wanted” situations with confidence. You will examine a few commonly faced interview challenges and practical solutions to overcome them.
Freezing up Just Before the First Question
Nervousness and anxiety before an interview are perfectly normal. You are a perfect fit for the role, yet you think of all the different ways you might not make a good impression. It’s an overwhelming feeling to meet strangers who outright judge you in everything you say and do.
Furthermore, interviews are high-pressure situations. First, you are under intense pressure to perform well, and second, you need the job. These two anxious thoughts are just enough to make your mind go blank, with your heart racing, palms sweating, and sometimes even the simplest questions becoming difficult to answer.
You are not alone…here are some ways to go around it:
- Take Good Care of yourself before the Interview – sleep well, eat right, and avoid all caffeinated drinks.
- Dream of Success-Visualizing your interview success is a mental practice that will help reduce fear and anxiety.
- Know your Future Employer-Research about the company and be more confident about their services, and more so about what they do.
- Preparation is key– Rehearse common questions aloud. It helps alleviate the lingering fear of giving incorrect answers.
Tips to note when you do freeze before a question:
Stay Calm and Take Deep Breaths – Take a moment to calm down. Say something along the lines of ” Please allow me a moment.”
Clarify the Question asked – Repeat the Question to the interviewer to get more time and use this to your advantage. Arrange your thoughts and answer it accurately.
Say a Big “No” to Negativity– Give yourself no room for negative thoughts such as “I am not good at this”, “I am going to fail”, but keep encouraging yourself to do better, such as “I can do this” or “I am perfect for this job. Need a moment to understand how to make this better.”
Interviews are meant to be hard. Interviewers necessarily need to ask you tough questions. Relax. You’re doing well so far. No need to rush. No need to be flawless. Breathe. You will ace it in no time.
Trick Question? Don’t Panic-They are Meant to Test You
Most Job interviews resemble a mental exercise course designed with numerous obstacles along the way. So, when you face overbearing questions such as ‘Why should we hire you?’ or ‘Describe the time you faced a failure,’ it may seem a bit intimidating.
These trick questions are posed to gauge your thought process, the response you provide under pressure, and the way you convey your experiences.
Here are some of the top reasons why Interviewers ask difficult questions:
- Measure the critical thinking process
- Evaluate self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- Understand ways in which the problem is solved and steps deployed to overcome failure
- Assess your performance under pressure.
Tips to Handle Tricky Questions with Confidence
Pause before you give an answer-Take some time before you give a response to a tricky question. Don’t rush to provide an answer, but brace yourself to give a thoughtful reply.
Use the STAR response for behavior-related questions –Behavioral questions relate to time-bound scenarios. So using the STAR method Situation, Task, Action, and Result) It would be helpful to structure and provide an impactful response.
How to Answer “Why Should We Hire You” and “Describe the time you faced a failure at your job”
Why are these tricky? Because you ought to answer this without sounding arrogant.
For the question “Why should we hire you?” you must highlight relevant skills, present your values that align with the company’s, and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
The second Question may make you feel a lot more uncomfortable because you are forced to talk about a time when you failed. The best approach would be to focus on the lessons learned during this period and not disclose too much about what went wrong.
Tricky questions need not be difficult ones, but they offer you a chance to showcase your problem-solving and communication skills. Answers are not expected to be perfect, but interviewers want you to be honest and transparent in your responses to them.
No Experience? Sell your Passion
Freshers dread this Question: ” Tell us about your work experience”. It’s possible to go blank at this time. Still, you must understand “Experience is certainly not everything.” What matters is whether you have the passion, willingness to learn, and potential to do well. Employers are not in the dark about freshers; however, what they are looking for is the drive to succeed and a positive attitude towards work.
So,
- Be Honest about your actual work experience.
- Discuss the valuable skills you have learned over the year, such as participating in group projects, attending college events, completing internships, volunteering, and taking online courses.
- Describe your teamwork skills and the ability to communicate and manage your time.
- Next, talk about the company and the services they are performing, and mention your excitement about working with them and the value that you will bring.
Finally, speak with confidence but show humility. Companies are seeking candidates who are willing to learn, grow, and contribute to the organization’s overall success.
Tough Tech Tests? Tackle them with confidence
Technical assessments are commonly conducted for tech roles in IT, engineering, and finance. Such tests are specifically formulated to analyze real-world skills in an applicant, testing not just technical knowledge but also the methods used to apply it. These tough assessments can be overwhelming, but with the proper preparation, any applicant can handle them smoothly and confidently.
Tips to overcome and nail the tech assessment with ease and professionalism:
Focus on what the test will evaluate – Tech assessment tests your knowledge on various tools, systems, or essential programming languages. Further, the tests will assess your logical thinking process and your ability to pay attention to detail.
Spend more time on Core skills – brush up and refresh your knowledge of core skills, such as coding languages, Excel, data modeling tools, system architecture, or software testing concepts. Utilize free software platforms, such as LeetCode, HackerRank, and Kaggle, to practice.
Practice on Real Case Studies – Solving actual scenarios or project-based challenges will help build speed and accuracy. Mock assessments will help you accurately time your responses, simulating test conditions and allowing you to practice under realistic scenarios.
Check and Find out the Test Format – Every company has various test assessments, and formats differ based on the type of testing done. It could be a coding challenge, a take-home task, or a live technical interview. Checking the total time limits, platforms used, and types of questions will help you prepare. Tools and software modules can be reviewed in advance to enhance performance.
Technical assessment is an excellent opportunity to showcase your knowledge. Be well-prepared, stay calm, and focus to manage the testing time and approach each Question with clarity.
Nervous about Salary Negotiations? Don’t Be!
Salary negotiations are uncomfortable, especially if you have just completed a long and exhaustive job search and interview process. Most applicants start to worry about the salary negotiation process and are unwilling to risk losing job offers or creating unnecessary friction.
View salary negotiations as a critical opportunity to demonstrate to your employer the kind of skills and experience you possess and assertively achieve your financial goals.
Reasons Salary Negotiations Matter
As a fresher, your starting salary reflects your current income, but it can also influence future increases and benefits. Negotiations can help you secure a reasonable and fair market rate, better benefits, and splendid growth opportunities.
Tips to handle Salary Negotiations like a Pro
Know what you are worth-Research helps to understand the average salary ranges for the current role. Online platforms such as Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Indeed, and AmbitionBox provide valuable insights into the industry and the average salary for each role.
Pitch your case with Confidence – Preparation before pitching your case is mandatory. Start by highlighting the experience and unique skill sets you bring to the role, and explain the reasons for requesting an increase in the CTA offered.
Present additional benefits: Salary negotiations need not be limited to monetary aspects alone; flexible working hours and other health benefits can also be taken into consideration. Further, asking for specific training, bonuses, or stock options is also a fantastic idea to incorporate in your overall CTA.
Salary negotiations do not need to be an aggressive process. As a newcomer to the organization, you must remain polite and professional and strive to find a mutually amicable solution that works for both parties.
Virtual Interview? Avoid Tech Glitches and Ace Them
Virtual interviews are no longer an optional part of the hiring process but have become a standard procedure. While they offer convenience and flexibility, they also come with their own set of challenges. But with accurate preparation time, you can overcome them and make a strong impression.
Technical issues form the most commonly faced virtual interview challenges. Situations include unstable internet connections, audio/video glitches, and software problems that can interrupt the interview flow and distract from the overall performance. Preventing such issues would require testing the internet speed, camera, and microphone thoroughly in advance. Ensure that your backup tools, such as mobile hosts, are ready to be plugged in.
Yet another commonly faced virtual interview problem is a lack of personal connection, which is very different from what is often experienced in in-person interviews. Virtual interviews may sound distant, and it isn’t easy to read body language and build a strong rapport. Ensure you speak into the camera and maintain eye contact. Furthermore, smiling genuinely and offering a warm greeting would show your warmth.
Finally, choosing a quiet place with a neutral background will help you focus and appear interested and professional. Tackling virtual interviews with ease is made easier with preparation and practice. All you need to do is ensure your equipment is ready and bring it in with quiet confidence, and you’re all set to shine.
Interviews need not be a nerve-wrecking experience. With the right strategies, you can tackle them with ease and confidence.
