“Hurray, congrats you have made it to the last interview, i.e., final interview process,” so now don’t relax, start preparing for your final interview because it is the last chance to make a good impression of yourself and give marvelous responses to the questions asked and improve the chance of getting the job offer. This article will explain what a final interview is, how to crack it, and answer frequently asked questions with some bonus tips.
Final Interview Mean?
Your last interview with the company, depending on the job role potential, and an experienced employer of the company might interview you. Getting selected for this round shows you have performed well in the previous rounds, which got you shortlisted among other candidates and have a chance of securing a job. Prepare as if you are preparing for the first interview since now they shortlisted you with candidates as qualified as you are and having the same level of experience.
It’s critical to strike the right balance of self-belief and compassion. Don’t let your standards slip or show up too comfortable. Engage each conversation with the same level of professionalism that got you this far. You illustrate that you have carefully reviewed what it would be like to work in this position and for this company.
How does the questioning and process of the final interview go?
In the previous interviews, they have questioned you about your professional skills and qualifications, so in the final interview, these will not repeat. Instead, the final interview will be an in-person interview where you asked more about yourself, i.e., behavioral questions, and less about educational qualifications. Hence, they test you to see if you have the interpersonal skills for the role and are problem-solving.
Tips to Ace the Final Interview
- Take it seriously and prepare as if it’s your first. Reaching this point is really impressive but don’t be overconfident because you are yet to be selected and have to compete with other candidates of your intelligence. The interviewer is new and has got only feedback of your skills, hence you have to prepare with the same seriousness which you showed for the first and present yourself as worthy for the job role without being rude.
- Examine the prior interviews and be prepared with questions to ask. It is the best chance to rectify your previous interview mistakes and also review the questions they have asked you prior to your interviews and respond effectively. When you ask a question, don’t repeat the questions you have already asked and don’t ask just for the sake, because it is an opportunity to highlight your skills and portrait yourself as an excellent match for the job. Example questions “What are the prospects of growth and advancement?”, “Is there any example of a career path that started with this position?”, “Is there anything I can clarify about my qualifications for you?”.
- Be prepared with a commonly asked question. Go through common questions and be prepared, because you are still under the microscope as they wanted to select the best for the role from the shortlisted candidates. “What salary do you hope to earn?” “What conflict did you experience during the project and how did you resolve it?” “How do your strengths come into play in your role?” When preparing an answer to a question, try to be as brief as possible by including the situation, action, and result.
- Make a lasting impression. Showing your desire to get the job can gain you some plus points, don’t overlook the need to market yourself just be genuine and show the panel that you are really excited about this job. If you find the environment casual, try to not lose it, keep it all professional, and try as much as possible to do everything in moderation.
- Be professional.
Don’t forget to follow the basic guidelines:
- Dress Accordingly: Try to prepare what to wear before the interview day. Remember, it puts the first impression on the interviewer. Dressing sense is essential, try to be formal and don’t wear bright colors. The way you dress should be appropriate to the position you are applying for, showing the level of professionalism.
- Body Language: Be confident in tone and try not to move your hands more. While talking, try to be slow and clear. Remember to think before you speak and try to maintain eye contact. Don’t glance at your watch, as it will make you look uncomfortable. Don’t become too relaxed and lose sight of the fact that this is an interview.
- Be Ready with a Reference List: Sometimes, they may ask you about the references on the spot, so it is better to keep a copy and contact information. Inform everyone on the list to be ready to attend the call and give some positive feedback. Reference can be someone you have worked with professionally or sometimes anyone from an educational past.
- Please do some research on the company: Usually, the hiring managers ask what you know about the company, so always know what products and services the company provides, the top clients it is dealing with, and on what motto the company runs. Having an awareness of the goals of the company might buy you some additional points and makes it easier to answer questions like “Why do you want to work at this company?”,” Why should we hire you?”,” What can you bring to the company?” and so on.
- Thank-You Letter: Write in short a note to express gratitude towards the interviewer for sparing time and restate your interest in the job. It would be more impressive if you include two or three points you discussed during the interview. This shows you’re an active listener.
Bonus Tips
Sometimes we make mistakes unknowingly, so it is better to look at what to do and what not during an interview.
Do’s:
- Arrive early for an interview,15 minutes prior to the interview is better.
- Offer a firm handshake, make good eye contact, and friendly expressions when you greet them.
- While exchanging the names with the interviewer, be attentive and learn to pronounce them correctly.
- If you try to visit the location of the interview the day before, it would be timesaving.
- Show a positive attitude
Don’ts:
- Don’t mention false information in the resume
- Don’t give an impression that you are interested in the job for a salary
- Show little desperateness to get the job
- Don’t make the interviewer guess what type of work you are interested in, try to make it clear your interests and skillset
- Don’t chew gum
- Please keep the phone on silent mode before you attend the interview
- Don’t be informal while making a conversation
What to do after an interview?
Job interview processes are organized and time taking, so don’t expect to hear right away. It might take weeks to get a call from them. So don’t panic if not contacted immediately. Wait with patience because it will take time to decide which job package to offer for the winning candidate. Remember that they must screen many candidates, so time is required. Maintain a positive attitude; you’ve given it you’re all. If you do not get the job, keep the lessons because they will help you in future job interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long after the final interview should you hear? It usually takes 2 weeks or more to hear the hiring decision from the interviewer. Calling too frequently may make you appear needy and desperate.
- When should I write a follow-up letter after an interview? During working hours, we can send a follow-up email 3-24 hours after the interview. Keep the follow-up email brief and to the point. It should primarily express your appreciation for the interviewer’s time. If you send the follow-up email too late, it shows you lacking interest.
- What If I go blank and unable to answer a question? If you cannot answer a question, pause for a moment to consider your response because it is best not to respond with ill-composed answers. If you truly cannot respond, ask if you can return to it later; this is preferable to remaining silent or answering irrelevantly.
- Where can I learn more about the company before the interview? You can start searching about the company with the company’s website. Go through “About Us,” which might give you a clear insight into the company’s motto and working strategy. Find them on Linkedin. It helps in getting some information. Google them, fetch all the news from the past year and take a glance.
- What should I do If I have no references for my first job? When you are fresher chance of having a professional reference is rare. So, you can mention personal references. It can be from someone who knows you but never worked with you. Remember, a reference should be someone from your professional or educational past or present co-worker. For example, a teacher or a friend, etc.
