Preparing for My First Corporate Interview: What Should I Know to Make a Great Impression?

Hi,

Wishing you all a very belated Merry Christmas.

Can anyone tell me what preparations I should take for attending an interview? This is my first corporate interview, and I don't want to miss it due to my unawareness. I just want to perform really well, regardless of being selected or not. Please kindly provide me with some tips so that I can groom myself. :) :) :)

Hi,

Don't worry, I am forwarding some interview questions. Please read them carefully and prepare for the interview.

Regards,
Pooja Verma 😉

Just be yourself. Be cool and punctual. Everything you need for an interview should come naturally when asked. There are misconceptions that suggest you must prepare polished answers to potential interview questions. However, as HR professionals, we are typically seeking interviewees who are truthful and honest in their responses. This authenticity is reflected in how you deliver your answers to questions.

Hi,

Good question. You really want to know how to respond to "Tell me about yourself," a very vague but powerful question in any interview.

Let me first tell you what you should not say when answering this question:

Don'ts:

1. Don't ever say, "I am good," or "I am a team player," or "I am confident." In other words, don't talk about your qualities as you see them.

2. Don't mention reasons for not doing certain things. For example, when discussing your higher education, don't say, "I could not continue my higher education because of my financial position."

3. Don't discuss your religious beliefs.

4. Avoid talking too much about your likes and dislikes.

Now, here's what you should talk about (Dos):

1. First, talk about your parents and siblings. For instance, "My father is [description] and works at [place]." "My brother/sister studies or works here."

2. Then, discuss your education - where you studied, your schooling, your college. If you were an average student, don't say, "I was an average student." Just mention your scores.

3. Talk about your extracurricular activities in school and college. Highlight your team working abilities. For example, "I was involved in organizing teams, tours, and activities, where I could showcase my teaming and organizing abilities."

4. Next, talk about your hobbies. Differentiate between hobbies and pastimes. For instance, "Listening to music is a pastime, while learning and singing is a hobby." "Reading some magazine is a pastime, but learning from good books is a hobby." Highlight your hobbies, not pastimes.

I think this is exhaustive enough. Good luck.

That was really informative. The reason why I have asked this question is because I have heard people introducing themselves by telling their names when asked the same question. I always wondered why they are repeating their names as it will be mentioned in the CV. Anyways, thank you so much.

One more thing, if you can help me out, the position for which I have been called is for the Senior HR Executive position. Can you guide me on what I should be aware of or what criteria they are mainly looking for?

Hi Nisha,

What will they be looking for in the position of Sr. HR Executive? They alone will know. What kind of industry is that? Some of the questions I used to ask for senior executive positions are:

1. I will first explore what kind of jobs the candidate has handled.
2. Then I explore whether the candidate has done it on their own.
3. In today's context, we focus much on the recruitment and selection process.
4. Psychometric testing and assessment techniques.
5. The difference between selection and recruitment.
6. I also used to focus on some motivational theories and other organizational behavior areas.
7. I used to ask one question: Is theory relevant? And give examples.
8. We try to assess whether the candidate has hands-on experience or just talks bookish.

I hope this answers, to some extent, your query.

Thanks,
Siva

Hey friend, first and foremost, learn to calm down and then assess yourself. Self-preparation is the key to whatever you want to achieve.

If you want to achieve, you must gather information. Once you have got the information, analyze and think logically from different angles. In short, you must prepare to know the subject inside and outside.

But, you must be wondering what should I prepare and how?

If you are going for the interview:

- First, you must know for what you are being called.
- Do you know what the job is all about? Role and responsibilities?
-- Go through the company website, ask your friends, elders, other working friends, search the net for more information, etc.
-- What does the company deal in, what are its products, management hierarchy, quality mission, who are its competitors, working culture, benefits of working there, where does the company have its other work locations, etc.
- Also, realize that this is the age of competition and accept the outcome with an open heart. Don't pin your hopes/expectations on just this job alone. On average, for every position, there could be in excess of 20-30 people depending on how urgently the position needs to be closed. Nevertheless, knowing and understanding all this, it is your job to prepare hard and do well. Once you start working with a sense of adult responsibility, you cannot afford to take things lightly.

There will be success and failure coming your way - accept them equally and responsibly, because you chose them. You gotta accept it whatever the outcome - with courage and laughter.

Next time, prepare harder. Otherwise, what is success without failure? Success has no meaning if failure is not understood.

Play hard and party hard.

Kind regards and all the best.

Mohan

Email: mpothur@yahoo.com

B A N G A L O R E

Hi Nisha,

There are a few things you should remember when you go for the interview.

1. Carry all your documentation (with photocopies) in a smart file/folder.

2. Wear something you are comfortable in - be it a western outfit (shirt and trousers) or an Indian one (such as a salwar suit/saree). It should be smart and elegant, not gaudy.

3. Makeup is a must, but it should be kept light. Do up your eyes (liner and kajal) and lipstick (according to the color of the dress).

4. Shoes should be comfortable and smart. No stilettos.

5. Be confident. Your body language should be the same.

ALL THE BEST. GO MAKE AN IMPRESSION.

Luck,
Vini

Hello Mohan,

This is Swetha. I'm working in an MNC company as a front officer cum admin. I handle all the HR assistant tasks such as leave management, leave processing, attending interview candidates, conducting online tests, and maintaining login-logout timings. I do everything except recruiting and selecting candidates. Now, I am thinking of changing my job. What should I mention in my resume - front officer, admin, or something else? Could you please help me with this?

Please send me the details to the email id: anu.ankitha@gmail.com

Thanks & Regards,
Swetha

Dear Nisha,

Follow the below mentioned tips, and you should be good to go.

1. Dress in a smart manner - Collared shirt and trousers or a crisp, well-starched cotton Salwar Kameez.
2. Keep control of your emotions that you feel, and don't let them show on your face.
3. Carry all the documents they have asked for, as well as those they have not asked for. The ones they need should be in a folder, while the others should be carried separately with a copy of each document just in case they ask for it. This shows your sense of professionalism, far-reaching vision, and efficiency.
4. Take a few seconds to gather your thoughts when asked a question so that you can speak in a relaxed and fluent manner.
5. Speak to the point. If they need more information, they will ask you for it.
6. Keep your etiquette in mind - use pleasantries when required, take permission to enter the interview room and take your seat, greet all those in the room when you walk in and leave.
7. Pre-decide how you will introduce yourself - all details in the introduction should be crisp and pertain to your name (in full), qualifications (emphasize those relevant to the applied designation), work experience (briefly, and preferably emphasize what you have done earlier related to the position applied for).
8. Express your keenness in a controlled manner for landing this job at the very end as a conclusion to the interview from your side, and do so only after the interviewer/s have mentioned the same.

See, it is not all that complex. All you need to do is be natural and keep these pointers in mind. With your attitude, I'm sure you will go a long way. If the employers are ones with vision, they will definitely consider you. If not, always remember there is something better waiting in the wings for you.

ALL THE BEST, and do let me know what happens at the interview.

Love,
Gouri

Dear Gouri,

Thank you so much, and for sure, I will let you know the result. It's an insurance company, and I think I should learn more about that segment and the procedures...

Definitely, at least the basic knowledge of that industry will be very beneficial. If you are not aware of an answer to a question asked to you, all you need to do is be honest about your ignorance and promise that the next time you meet them, you will have the answer ready. Honest answers still go a long way, especially regarding oneself.

Regards,
Gouri

Hi,

Wishing you all a very BELATED MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Can anyone tell me what preparations I should take for attending an interview? This is my first corporate interview, and I don't want to miss it due to my lack of awareness. I just want to perform really well, whether I am selected or not. Kindly give me some tips to groom myself. 🙂

The best preparation would be that you do not prepare anything. 😄 Just do not take tensions and stress. Be on time. Read your resume thoroughly. Keep yourself updated with the latest happenings. Be confident.

Hi Neha,

Just be confident, and it's all about your attitude and how you carry yourself. Confidence can lead you to the job you desire. It's all about your attitude and confidence; the rest of the things will follow.

Wishing you all the best.

Regards,
Jitu

Hi Nisha,

Get the JD and prepare with the job description. Understand the company you are interviewing for. Don't feel stressed. Stay cool and be natural. Provide mature and well-explained answers with depth. That's all. Best of luck!

Cheers,
Joe
Mumbai

Hi,

Let me thank each and every one for helping me out for my first corporate interview. It went well, and I am through for the first round, and it's kind of confirmed too. Thank you once again for all the tips and advice that you have given me! I am happy that I could do it well.

Hi friend,

Here are some tips for attending an interview:

- Be punctual; you should reach the interview place on time.
- Directly approach the company people regarding the time and venue; don't wait as others do because your time is precious.
- When entering the interview hall, wish the interviewer, get their permission, and then sit on the chair.
- Collect information from the website or other media sources before attending the interview.
- Present your answers with interest even if the interviewer is not listening properly.
- Reply to the questions alone; don't speak unnecessarily, stick to the point when you answer.
- Be brief in answering.
- If you don't know the answer, openly admit it; don't stress the interviewer.
- After finishing the interview, thank them and ask your queries once you come out of the interview hall if you couldn't get answers during the interview.
- Follow up as per their instructions.
- Whether the interview is tough or easy depends on how you perceive it.

I hope these tips help you in your next interview. Good luck!

Hi,

Bilkul bhi chinta nahi karne ka! Simple, bindas jane ka, and bilkul sahi-sahi aur sachi-sachi bolne ka. Kuch bhi jhooth nahi bolne ka.

Interview finish, and you're selected!

Ok

Bye

Take care

Regards,
Bhagwan