An A to Z guide to crack Interviews

You finally found the perfect organization, appropriate for your skills and your future. Your CV and experience in tow, you send in your application and receive the coveted call. What's next? The most decisive litmus test of all - The Interview.

But before we jump into the Do's and Don't's for an interview, let us look at a connected sphere we tend to ignore. Most of the times we are so fixated on smoothing our edges for the background checks the company performs on us, that we forget the same holds true for them as well.

A thorough background investigation of the organization is vital before you decide to join. More often than not, it is after joining the company that a person realizes that they don’t like its hierarchical environment, organizational structure or the company culture; a revelation that occurs much too late.

How to conduct a Background Check on any Organization?

• Start by conducting a Google search. Read all the articles related to the organization and the people in charge.
• Use platforms like Linkedin, Glassdoor, even less conventional ones like Twitter and Facebook for obtaining insider reviews.
• Don’t shy away from connecting with current or former employees through these portals and enquiring about their past experiences.
• Look at the company’s official website. It generally contains most of the information about the product and services as well as the organization’s history.

After this step comes the final showdown, the interview. The selection process judges the candidates via interviews in broadly three categories of technical, non-technical and human resources. Below, we have discussed each of these interview rounds in detail.

How to crack Technical Interviews?

• The format of a technical interview could either consist of a coding test or a face-to-face interview. It could also be a mix of both. So, be prepared.
• If it is a coding challenge, one that you need to do at home, make sure you understand the requisites to write the correct program. You can also make the assignment better by adding a few extra features and sending it separately. This reflects your seriousness for your work.
• If it’s a face to face interview, make sure you communicate your ideas clearly. Your thought process and passion should reflect in your words. Make sure that you have a solid justification for the steps and shortcuts you use in your test assignments.
• Brush up your knowledge of technical terminologies and languages. Though such questions aren't prevalent in interviews now, these could still be asked.
• If you are asked to pair for a programming challenge, it is a test of your communication skills, programming technique and your ability to work in a team. Your proficiency in all these sectors matter.
• If you are asked to solve an algorithm test on a whiteboard using a marker, feel free to discuss and walk them thoroughly through your process, clearly explaining the vital points.

How to crack Non-Technical Interviews?

• Where the primary aim of this round of interview is to get an idea of your personality, your very first step should be to believe that you are the perfect choice for the position. Make sure that you answer honestly with confidence.
• Don’t bluff if you don’t know the answer to a particular problem. If you can't answer, let the employer know in subtle words. Your attitude should show that you are a problem-solver even if you aren’t familiar with it.
• Your dress sense, body language and your attitude matters a lot while delivering a presentation.
• Display your passion for the company and its outlook by asking and answering in a knowledgeable manner.
• Have a thorough knowledge of your past projects and jobs, along with the roles you played in them and the things you learned. Incorporate these in your answers.
• The internet is full of helpful articles and websites which discuss questions asked during interviews. Research and make use of them.

How to crack HR Interviews?

• This round of interview is taken to understand whether or not you'll be compatible with the organization, its vision and mission. The focus lies on behavioural questions.
• Prepare answers for a set of HR interview questions, i.e.: "Tell me about yourself", "Why are you looking for a change?", "What are your strengths and weaknesses" and "Why do you think you are fit for this job?"
• Be confident about your resume. If there is a detail that needs an explanation, answer frankly.
• Know the organization you're going to step into. Go through their website to understand the company’s growth, products, services and history.
• Listen before you speak. Understand the question and keep your answer to the point. No one likes a rambler.
• Have a few relevant questions to ask, it shows that you're serious about the job.

One important factor that can help you crack interviews is your ability to stay calm. Be well-groomed and have confidence in your skills. Don’t treat this as a do or die situation. At the end of the day, interviews are simple discussions. Treat yours as one such discussion and you’ll sail through comfortably!