With your results in hand, you set out to find your perfect job only to realise you screwed up during your interview! Sounds familiar? Even experienced workers face this problem. So, whether you’re a newbie or a pro at the job hunting game, here are a few tips to make that solid first impression.

　　Preparation

　　While applying for a job, you need to show that you know about the organisation and what it does. A little homework goes a long way in showing that you genuinely care about the company you wish to join. The simplest way of doing this is to go to the company’s website and read the ‘About Us’ section. If there are profiles of some senior personnel, read up on them too. The more you know about the organisation, the better your chances of cracking the interview.

　　Poise

　　During your interview, you need to be in a Zen state of mind. You may be asked difficult and uncomfortable questions. If you can demonstrate an ability to stay calm when you are put under pressure it tells your potential employers that you can do the same when it comes to handling their projects.

　　Practice

　　There is no getting around this. Sit in front of mirror and practice your responses to standard questions you will asked during your interview. Questions like, ‘Why do you want to join us?’, ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’ will be asked. Get your responses in order, get them checked with a superior if possible and speak with experience when asked.

　　Polish

　　Knowing the dress code of your potential employer is important. You do not want to land at a corporate office wearing jeans and your Nirvana tee. On the other hand, an ad agency or any other creative company will look upon format attire as a sign of having a closed mind. Apart from this, ensure that you look proper. Cut your nails, shave properly, get your hair in order and hide your tattoos as far as you can.

　　Rework

　　Go over your resume once again. Many of us carry old versions of our resumes’ and use it for each company. It is necessary to tweak your past experience for each particular company. This will also help you to keep your resume updated. Check if a covering letter is required. Write one accordingly and check for errors. Fix them. If references are asked for, ensure that they are in order.

　　Be confident, ensure you’ve taken all the documents you need and reach at least 15 minutes before time.

　　Once you've made sure that you have checked and re-checked everything, you’re ready to ace that interview. So, just go for it!