A job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience for most of us - the prospect of persuading a potential employer that you’re the perfect candidate for the role can fill even the most confident of individuals with dread. But there is no need to panic before you step into that interview room because some simple preparation in advance can ease your nerves and ensure you’re ready for anything the interviewers might throw at you.

The first thing to do is congratulate yourself that you’ve actually reached the interview stage – out of all the applicants, you have been recognized as someone with the potential to join the company you want to. So pat yourself on the back and now get down to the work required to win that role.

Read the letter inviting to the interview carefully to note exactly where and when it will take place, and plan how you will get there. Whether you’re using public transport or using your own transport to get there, check in advance of any planned disruptions and amend your travel plans accordingly.

The letter will also explain if you will be required to bring along anything specific – for example, qualifications, proof of identity etc – and if you will have to sit a test or participate in group exercises.

Now re-read your application and compare it to your resume so you’re clear on exactly what role you’re being interviewed for and can speak confidently as to your experience and ability to do the job. Many people find it helpful to write down a checklist of keywords that act as a prompt during the interview process and it is a good sign if you take time to write things down when being questioned.

How you look is important. Be clean and freshly groomed, and in smart clothing that is also clean and presentable with polished footwear. Don’t drown yourself in perfume or aftershave, as that might be the only lasting impression you leave! And if you smoke, try to resist one last puff as an overpowering smell of smoke can be off-putting. Do have a back-up outfit in case of unexpected emergencies such as spilling coffee down your jacket.

The night before the interview, have an early night – avoid alcohol or other stimulation as this might cause you to sleep in or, worse, have a sleepless night that leaves you on edge. Put all your documentation and essentials for the interview in a folder or bag and check its contents before you leave.

Lastly, do not avoid breakfast or a snack before the interview – it’s not unheard of for interviewees to faint because of a combination of nerves and lack of food. Even a bar of chocolate will settle your stomach and you should make sure you drink lots of water, too.

These simple steps can help you focus on being relaxed and ready for whatever the interviewer throws at you.

During the search for a job and professional resume writing, you have to apply for a lot of job opening whenever you encounter any. After applying for a job every one waits for an interview call. When you do receive an interview call, this is an opportunity for you to show yourself eligible for the job. But what can be worst if you goof up on the interview day and make a mess out of your conversation. To avoid that, you must need to be careful and prepared for the interview. Especially be prepared for Behavior Based Interviews.

What are Behavior Based Interviews?

These are the kind of interviews that are designed for the candidates on the basis of the theory that the future performance of candidates can be predicted based on the previous performance of the candidates. It means that how would a candidate behave in future is perfectly monitored by how has he behaved in the past.

In these interviews, the candidates of the job are asked certain practical questions based on reality, and are judged on the basis of the answers given. In other words, if you encounter an interview that is designed to be a behavior based interview, you need to be vigilant and think proactively during the interview.

What kind of questions will be asked?

In Behavior Based Interviews, a set of standardized questions are asked from you to judge you. The interviewers look deeply at how you behave and respond to certain situations. The question can be like:

1. Describe one problem that looked difficult to solve. How did you come to know of the problem and how did you try to solve it?
2. Describe an incident where you persuaded another person to do something he or she was not willing to do. Were you successful?
3. Have you ever tried to do something on your own? Describe one incident that you took up a task as an initiative.

The Interview Process

1. Pre screening: in this step, the applications of the candidates are screened. They are contacted for the educational scripts as well.
2. Telephone interview: at this point, a phone call is done to all the candidates for the job who are considered eligible for the job. The focus of the discussion is the skills of the candidates. Furthermore, maximum knowledge that can be delivered to the candidates about the job is given. Mostly the telephone interview is the basis for the judgment of the capabilities of the candidates.
3. On-site interview: this is a full day’s interview having tests, and verbal interviews related to the job
4. Selection: at this step, a call letter for a job is sent to the potential employees and their agreement is assured.
5. On-Boarding: at this step, the newly hired employee will meet with the HR managers and stat the job.