Want to make your next career move with Gartner? Below, Sumit Mundra, Human Resources Senior Director, shares a quick 3-step guide for a successful interview.
Written by: Sumit Mundra, Senior Director, Human Resources
A job interview can be the most exciting or the most draining experience, largely depending on the outcome. While an interviewee cannot control the outcome, there are a few practices that can be applied to increase the odds of landing the job. I suggest these:
Preparation: It is a cardinal rule that one should always do their research before appearing for an interview. without having a basic understanding of the company and the role on offer. Having a good understanding of the company’s strategic vision, mission lines of business, key financial metrics, etc. will make it easier to provide relevant examples of how your skills and experience can add value. Checking reviews of the company, from a variety of reputable sources, can add additional perspective as well. However, take it with a grain of salt, as employees who had a less-than-ideal experience are more likely to post on such websites than those who had a good experience. Therefore, sometimes, your findings may be negatively skewed. Are you connected to anyone who’s currently working at the company? Try reaching out to them for some first-hand insight.
Mindset: Approach the interview with confidence – tell yourself you’re going to ace it and write it down. Visualize what it will be like when you crack the interview. What would the recruiters say, what emotions will you experience then? Visualization is a powerful technique adopted by successful athletes, whether to get a perfect swing of a golf club or to visualize a perfect jump in the diving pool. Building positive affirmation will enable you to bring the power of the subconscious mind to the forefront.
Maximize the conversation: Remember, you only have one chance to make a great first impression. Here are a few tips to ensure you make the most of the discussion:
If the opportunity presents itself, try to take the lead. Take advantage of the opening introduction by showing your unique personality and highlighting your passion, interests, experiences, etc. A good recruiter will latch onto a good introduction and probe further.
- Brevity is an important virtue; avoid going around in circles or repeating yourself.
- Avoid loose talk such as statements that are cliché or non-specific. For example, “I want to join your company to learn.”
- Be authentic. If you don’t know an answer, don’t pretend to know it. Instead, try asking for further clarification, or simply say that you don’t know, or would like to learn more.
While there’s no exact science to interviewing, these best practices will surely help you prepare so you can be more confident and put your best foot forward.
Interested in joining Gartner’s world-class teams? Look for an open role here.
At Gartner, we recognize that our associates are at their personal and professional best when they are happy and healthy. As a member of our growing team, you’ll have access to generous benefits from your first day on the job. Learn more about life at Gartner here.