What employers look for during an Interview?

Congratulations. Your cover letter and resume were impressive enough to earn you an interview call. The employer found your experience, education and training attractive for the vacant job. The next step in recruitment is the interview process to determine if you are the best fit for the job. No matter if it’s one-to-one or panel interview or online interview, the employer will look for specific things for which you should always be prepared for.

1. Understanding about Employer’s business: This is no brainer. You should always know about company’s industry, products and services. You can never be fully prepared for the interview unless you know where you are planning to work for.
   Pro-tip: Go through company’s website to see their vision, mission and services and scroll their digital media to have an idea about work-culture.
2. Prepare: Preparation is the key. If there’s one secret to success in interviews then that’s preparation. You should prepare what the job requires, company, industry and its challenges, skill or tools in demand. The more you are prepared, the more comfortable and confident you will be.
3. Best match for the job: The employer is only interested in finding someone who will benefit the company. They want someone who is smart, mature, ambitious, reliable but specifically they are evaluating is what you can bring on the table. This is where understanding of company, company’s industry and culture will help guide your answers.
4. Listen thoroughly: Listen all the questions thoroughly and once question is finished then attempt to answer. Sometimes candidates jump to the answer even before the question is finished. Remember, no one ever likes being interrupted.
5. Communicate clearly: You may be well prepared for the interview but it’s no of no use unless you know how to communicate and present. No interviewer will assume what you want to say unless you communicate.
   Pro-tip: Try writing the points on potential interview questions and practice answering them at home. In this way you will be prepared thoroughly to communicate in the interview.
6. Be courteous: Show respect to the interviewer and thank them for the opportunity, time and interest. Do it while you are introducing yourself and when saying goodbye. It’s also a good idea to send a follow-up email or note afterwards.
7. Be Punctual: Always be there before time. This is the first clue for an employer that you can work well with deadlines

After an interview, there are only two possibilities: you will secure the job or you may not. However, consider each interview experience as your learning experience. Every interview is a valuable experience and adds to your learning for next interviews in life.