Some of the Companies sometimes offer walk-in interviews, specially MNC’s when they hope to recruit many job candidates simultaneously for their growing business. Going for a walk-in interview can be sometime stressful, as this is very time consuming process and many candidates apply at the same time, and will be gathered under same roof. However, learning about how to prepare for walk-in interviews can make you more confident and help you give your best during the interview.
In this article, we will discuss what is a walk-in interview, required documents, explain how you should dress up for the interview and will also discuss 12 tips to help you prepare for the interview.
What is a Walk-in-interview?
A walk-in interview is a type of interview where you don’t get any pre-scheduled appointment at the Company with any interviewer or panel for your interview. Companies conduct walk-in interviews when they need to recruit in huge numbers of candidates and are ready to interview anyone who walks in. They decide upon the date and time duration during which candidates can come into the office and wait in the lobby for their turn to get interviewed. If the candidate gets selected, the company might offer further rounds of interviews as per their recruitment process.
What should I wear to a Walk-in-interview?
It is recommend to wear formals in any kind of professional corporate interview. In this case as well, You should wear formal business clothes during your walk-in job interview. Select clothes like, dress pants or a dress skirt, a button-down shirt and closed-toe shoes. Try clothing with subtle or more neutral colors. clothing which is appropriate for the weather so that, you are at a pleasant temperature during your interview. Additionally, Ensure your attire also looks new and ironed, wrinkle-free. As you may have to wait longer than expected for your turn for an interview, wear clothes you can sit and feel comfortably in.
Read More : Dress code for corporate interview for Male and Female
What documents do you need to bring to a Walk-in-interview?
Usually, the Job advertisement for walk-in Interview provide all the details about the required document to bring. Just to let you know, Below is a list of the most important documents that you should bring to a walk-in interview:
Resume: You should carry atleast 2-3 copies of your resume to the walk-in interview, so that you can submit copies of your resume at different steps of the interview process if required. Having multiple copies of your resume is also supportive if more than one person from the company interviews you.
Mark sheets: You should bring photocopies as well as original of your mark sheets from your 10th standard, 12th standard, undergraduate and post-graduate, in case you have them. Your interviewers may ask you to submit copies of your mark sheets if they select you for further rounds of the interview.
Degree: In case they ask, candidates who have graduated from university, you should carry both original and photocopies of your bachelor’s degree to show that you already qualify for the basic shortlisting criteria of the walk-in-interview.
Certifications: In case you have completed any certification to upgrade your skills, you should carry it with you. It may help you stand out from the competition from other candidates.
Salary slips: if you are walking in for a job that expecting experienced candidates, you should carry salary slips of your previous organization from at least the last three months with you. You might want salary slip for salary negotiations or if you are selected to proceed in the interview process.
Identity proof: Since many candidates may appear for a walk-in interview, Your interviewers may need it for your identity proof, specially Aadhar card and Pan Card.
You may also need to bring a few passport-size photographs of yourself along with a pen & a notepad.
What should I say in a Walk-in interview?
Whenever you go for a walk-in interview, introduce yourself in short at the reception & tell them your purpose for being there. If the company is interviewing for various job positions, check where the interviews are conducting for the specific job you are interested in.
When it is your turn, walk into the interview room very confidently, hand over hardcopy of your resume to the interviewer, introduce yourself and talk about your educational qualifications. The interview can then proceed based on the queries the interviewer needs to ask.
Tips on how to prepare for a Walk-in-interview
1. Research the company
Run a thorough research about the company before you go to your interview. You can refer the ‘About Us’ page of the company’s website to understand, what company does, its goals and responsibilities. Also, you can go through their social media pages like LinkedIn or Facebook to know what they have been doing recently and if they have been featured in the news recently. If possible, try to get in touch with their current employees to ask about their employee policies and work culture. This will help you to analyze and decide if you want to work for this company or if you can adjust yourself to such working environment.
2. Prepare for common interview questions
If you go to the walk-in-interview well prepared, it will increase your chances of getting hired. Here are the tips and advice to help you prepare for your walk-in job interview: Interview Questions & Answers
Look for commonly asked interview questions for the job you need & prepare to answer them well ahead. Also, prepare for common HR interview questions and practice your answers well ahead. This process will definitely help you prepare and boost your confidence. You could also do a practice interview with your friends or family members and they can offer you advice on how to improve your skills on interviewing.
3. Update your resume
Keep you resume up-to-date with your recent job experiences, educational qualifications, certifications & any other important activity that could help compete you for this job position. Try to make your resume relevant to the job you are interested and interviewing for and, if possible, put keywords from the job description shared by company in your resume. Also, try to understand how your current work experience establish link to the job you are interviewing for so you can prepare for those types of interview questions.
4. Get your documents ready
Check all your documents like a resume, degree, certification, and mark sheets well in advance. If you prepare your documents ahead of time, It will be better to arrange for new documents to be sent if you got to know that you are missing any other document. Keep the photocopies as well as original of all your documents arranged in a file handy with you.
5. Check the location
Look for the location through google map where you have to go for your interview in advance. If the place is not familiar and you commute via public transport or with you own vehicle, check the route and time needed to reach the destination. If you plan to drive yourself to the location, check the route and if possible the parking facilities to minimize your commute time.
6. Look presentable
Please ensure you look presentable for your walk-in interview. Before the interview, you may wash your hair and trim your nails. If the weather is rainy, ensure you clean your footwear whenever you reach the interview venue.
7. Stay calm
As many job seekers might come in for a job interview, you might get a little distressed. You just have to do your best to stay confident and calm. Consider talking to other candidates, you may bring a book or newspaper to read or finding another activities that helps you to relax while waiting for your turn for the interview.
8. Arrive on time
Ensure to arrive a little before the company’s interval for their walk-in job interviews. Being on time for the interview can help you understand the interview process before it is your turn, which will help to reduce your nervousness. Best part is, If you show up early in the interviewing interval time, you may reduce your waiting time.
9. Communicate well
Ensure you communicate clearly to help the interviewer understand your skills, qualifications and achievements and how you are suitable for this job. Know in advance how to show and explain in more detail the various skills or experiences summarized on your bio-data. Additionally, pay close attention to the queries your interviewer asking & give your best to answer their questions confidently and concisely.
10. Maintain body language and posture
Sit properly with correct body posture before and during your interview. Additionally, try to use positive body language signals, such as making polite eye contact and smiling at your interviewers. Your posture & body language can help convey your interest in the open job position.
11. Ask questions
Prepare questions well ahead for your interviewers. You might have a few questions regarding the job description OR role & responsibilities OR office policies. Asking questions shows that you have completed your research and you are prepared well ahead of time for the job interview.
12. Thank the interviewer
Always Thank your interviewer before your exit. No matter how your interview gone, verbally thanking your interviewer helps to display your positive attitude and professionalism. Thank them for giving you this opportunity and for their time.
Hope this article clarified what exactly is the walk-in interview and its process. BEST OF LUCK!!