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Walk-in-interview is common practice employers do when they intend to hire new workers in huge numbers. In general, there is not much difference between walk-in-interview and a regular interview. However, the term walk-in here means the interview could be done in a shorter time as recruiter want to shortlist all of the candidates in the room. The chosen candidates who pass the first walk-in-interview then will be invited to a more formal interview with a hiring manager. 

Walk-in-interview can be a great opportunity to not only meet potential employers directly but also to shine among others. But the problem is, the competition might be tougher as you have to compete with hundreds if not thousands of other candidates. Owing to this reason, preparing yourself before attending the session is a must.

See also: A New “Mean Mind” Game for Job Interview

How to prepare for a walk-in-interview? Here are some tips for you. 

Research, research, and research 

You should conduct proper research for the walk-in-interview right after you receive a notification that there will be a walk-in-interview held in your dream company. Show the recruiter that you are more than prepared and ready for the questions. Researching the company, including on their ‘who we are’ and ‘about us’ section, will help you understand the background of the company. Do remember to check on their official social media page to learn about their recent updates and activities. This will help you break the ice at the beginning of the interview. 

Before D-Day, make sure you know the location of the walk-in-interview. Check with Google Maps a day or two days before. If possible, you should spare time to go to the location in case Google Maps is not reliable. 

Get familiar with basic questions 

As mentioned earlier, walk-in-interview is typically done to find the right fits in a short time as candidates will be invited to a more formal interview later on. Therefore, get yourself familiar with common questions that recruiters usually ask such as “why should we hire you?”, “what is your biggest weakness?”, and “why do you want this job?”. 

In addition, you should also practice yourself with hard questions that you probably do not know how to answer. Do not let the recruiter see you freezing and groggy with the questions because it will decrease your professionalism. 

Do not forget important documents 

What are the important documents? Of course, the first thing you can think is a resume. Other than that, you should prepare educational or professional documents such as certificates for proof. Keep all of the documents in one folder and organise them neatly in your backpack. Additionally, bring a pen and a notepad with you, as well as your ID card. You will need it to write important information recruiter gives you. The ID might be required when entering the company office. 

Have a memorable first impression 

You might be remembered as the best costume guy in the room when attending an interview in a funny SpongeBob costume. While this makes everyone laugh, recruiters might remember you for your silliness - which is not a really good idea for your professional branding. 

So all you have to do is dress formally and neatly. Wear a suit and use moderate perfume. Make sure your nails are trimmed and your hair is combed. Look at yourself in the mirror. If you look like a successful person in a suit, you are ready for the interview. 

Have a memorable behaviour 

Your genuine smile and moderate tone of your voice indicate friendliness. This is a good start. But they’re not enough. You should demonstrate more of your good attitude, such as being polite and patient, being helpful, being on time, etc. Lastly, never forget to say thank you for the opportunity to the interviewer.

Read also: Job Seekers Guide: Dos and Don'ts for a Successful Job Interview