Not-to-be-missed tips for winning in interviews
Right from submitting your profile to written test to interview, your employer forms an impression about you. Interview, however, is the first time they see you face to face and vice versa. You have half an hour to one hour to make your mark. To prove that the grades on your certificates are indeed true. All those who believe that their good academic credentials will speak for themselves, may be in a for a shock.
Employers these days look for many more qualities than just a good track record. Our expert Girish Sheshamani gives an in depth into interviews and how you need prepare.
Before the Interview
Go through the website of the company and get to know the relevant details, as in, when the company commenced operations, names of directors along with their qualification and experience, the products of the company, the market share, the head office and total branches of the company, the strength of its employees in India as well as abroad, if they have branches, the HR interventions or career plan for prospective job seekers, the profit for the last three financial years and lastly the future plans of the company.
Ensure that you travel to the company once, three or four days prior to the interview, by the mode of transport you are going to take. This will tell you the time required for travel. If you can afford, take a taxi or rickshaw, because it is convenient and your clothes will not get crumpled or soiled. You will also be fresh and will not get mentally tired.
Talk to employees working in that organization and try to get a feel of the company's culture. Also make it a point to know about the dress code. This is a bold step which needs to be taken. Communicate with your circle of friends and find out if they know anyone working in that organization.
Ensure that you do not overload yourself too much physically or mentally before the interview. Keep two days prior to the interview, purely for relaxing.
Check up your resume and ensure there are no spelling mistakes. Ensure that all the basic information is given. Do not decorate your resume with a variety of fonts. Use one font throughout and ensure that you keep your resume as brief as possible. Ideally a resume should not go beyond two pages for fresh or experienced candidates as the case may be.
Do not use bombastic language. Keep it short and sweet.
Never lie in your resume. If there is a gap in your employment, do not try to hide it. Be honest with the organization, and tell them the reason for the gap. Lot of so called experts advise you to fill the gap with some courses which you have never done and so on. Never do it. I have personally seen many cases of candidates who had a break due to drug or alcohol addiction. Be very open and frank about it. They will appreciate your honesty. Likewise if you had started a business and it failed miserably be frank about it.
Another possibility is you were laid off. Getting laid off does not by any way mean that you are inefficient. Even personal grudges can result in a person losing his job. You need to explain your stand very clearly.
Do not memorize any answer. You never know what kind of questions will be thrown at you by the interview panel. There are some common questions though, but make sure that you are very alert. Never let them catch you off guard.
On the Day of Interview
Ensure that you carry two copies of your resume and two passport size photographs in a folder.
The dress code should be formals for both men and women. Ensure that your attire is neatly pressed and there are no wrinkles. Take care to ensure, that there is no dirt on the scuff or the inside collar of the shirt. Your shoes must be shining. Always wear full sleeve shirts and see to it that it is buttoned. The trick is to look effortless but neat and clean. Wear a watch.
For girls, a salwar kurta or formal attire is fine. Do not use heavy make up and avoid wearing bangles. Keep the use of cosmetics to the bare minimum.
Ensure that you reach the company at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time of the interview. There are two reasons for this. Once you reach early, you get a feel of the company and you also have the time to get fresh. Secondly once you take your seat, you can relax yourself and mentally get geared up for the interview.
Switch off your mobile, before you enter the company premise. Talk politely to people. Once you enter the main office, greet the receptionist. Give her your name. When you go for a wash, ensure that you keep the receptionist, informed of the same, because there is a possibility that your name may be called, during that time. Be polite with whomsoever you meet on the way. Never pass any judgments.
Never make the mistake of talking with other candidates. Look for a quite place and mentally relax yourself. Talking with candidates clearly shows you lack confidence. Also never make the mistake of talking to people, who have just come out of the interview room. Remember that you are being observed every second.
When your name is called, gently knock on the door twice, before entering the room. Close the door gently behind you and greet the person taking the interview. If there is only one person, you can greet him by saying, ‘A very good morning to you'
If there are two or more people, greet all of them by saying, ‘A very good morning to all of you' and ensure that you maintain eye contact with all of them.
If there is lady on the interview panel, you can greet her separately, by saying, ‘A very good morning to you, ma'am'
Never shake hands with a lady, unless she extends her hand. Take care to see that you hold her hand lightly.
Do not take your seat, unless you are asked to.
Sit comfortably, but ensure that you do not slouch too much, nor sit very straight. Have a relaxed posture. Keep both legs together and place your file on top of your thighs. Keep your hands on your thighs.
Maintain eye contact with all the members on the interview panel. If one person asks you a question, ensure that you look at everyone while answering. If you maintain eye contact only with the person who asked the question, you are indirectly sending a message that the other people on the panel are not important.
If you do not know the answer to a particular question, be honest and say, ‘I am sorry; I do not know the answer'
Never lie. Once you are caught lying, you will lose your reputation.
If the voice of the interviewer is not audible, request him by saying, ‘Excuse me sir, I am not able to hear you, can you please be a little loud'?
Similarly in case you do not understand a particular question, tell the interviewer, ‘Could you please repeat the question for me'?
Never enter into an argument with any member.
If you need a few seconds to give the answer, go ahead and take the time. There is no hard and fast rule that you need to answer immediately once the question is put to you.
When the interview comes to an end, get up; thank the interview panel for giving you a chance to attend the interview.
While walking out, have a confident stride. After you open the door, ensure that you close it slowly behind you. Lot of candidates in their excitement, pull the door behind them, which makes a loud sound, as it bangs.
Thank the receptionist for her assistance.
Nowadays all organizations tell you whether you have been selected or rejected immediately. In case they tell you, they will get back within a weeks time, wait for ten days, before you talk to them. Likewise, before leaving the company premise, take the name, designation, e mail address and contact number of the person, who took your interview.
See that you strictly follow the decorum, while leaving the company premise. Do not indulge in any loose talk with anyone. Never get casual while you are on your way out.
After the Interview
In case you do not get any reply till ten days, send an email to the concerned person and wait for a response. If you do not get any response, only then call up the concerned person; introduce your name and mention the date of the interview, with the position. In case you have been rejected, do not feel disheartened. Politely ask the interviewer, the areas where you need to improve.
In the case of rejection, send an e mail to the concerned person, thanking him for giving you a chance as well as a feedback, on your performance.
Make a note of all your grey areas and ensure you tie up all loose ends.
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