How to Prepare for Job Interviews in Pakistan Without Panic

I've done so many interviews here - both sides of the table. And let me tell you something: Pakistani interviewers don't want perfection. They want someone who can actually talk, seems interested, and looks reliable. That's literally it. You don't need perfect English or some memorized script.

Most interviews here work the same way. Super predictable. First they ask you to introduce yourself. Then they ask about your experience. Maybe throw in a "tell us about a time when.." question. That's it. Whole thing takes like 15-30 minutes, and honestly most of the decision happens in the first 5 minutes based on how confident you seem.

When they say "tell us about yourself" - don't give them your life story. They don't care. Give them like 60-90 seconds covering: where you studied, what you've done, and why you want this job. Practice this at home. Actually time yourself. Make it sound natural, not like you're reading from a script. I've seen people who memorized every word and it sounds so fake. Interviewers can tell immediately.

For experience stuff, they'll ask about your previous jobs. Don't just say what you did - say what you actually achieved. Use numbers if you can. Instead of "I handled complaints" say "I handled like 50 complaints a day with 95% satisfaction." See? Numbers make it real.

Those situation questions freak people out but they're actually the easiest. Stuff like "tell us about a time you worked under pressure." Just use STAR - Situation, Task, Action, Result. Keep it short, say what happened, what you did, and how it turned out. Have 2-3 stories ready from your actual experience.

One thing I see all the time - people overthink everything. They try to sound super formal or use big words they don't even know. Don't do that. Just talk normally. If your English isn't perfect, that's fine. Being clear matters way more than being perfect. Pakistani employers get that not everyone speaks perfect English, and they'd rather you be honest than fake.

Body language is bigger than people think. Look at them but don't stare them down. Nod sometimes to show you're listening. Sit up but don't look like a robot. A little smile is good - shows confidence without looking fake. Don't play with your hands or your phone. Small stuff but it matters.

Dress for the company. Corporate jobs in Karachi or Lahore? Wear a suit. IT company or startup? Business casual might be okay. When you're not sure, go a bit more formal. Better to be overdressed than underdressed. And get there 10-15 minutes early. Being late is instant rejection, and being way too early makes you look desperate.

Have questions ready. At the end they'll ask if you have any. Having good questions shows you actually care. Ask about the team, growth opportunities, what success looks like. Don't ask about money in the first interview - save that for later.

Send a thank you email the next day. Keep it short - just thanks for their time and you're still interested. This tiny thing can make you stand out because most people don't do it.